The Lives of Those Who Achieve Great Things:
(from a newspaper article)

"One survey of people who have achieved great things showed some common characteristics among them, including:

• A major childhood challenge that had to be overcome.

• Belief in and the ability to follow an "inner voice."

• A belief that achievement for its own sake is more important that material or other rewards.

• A belief that the process they follow to achieving things is as important as the achievement.

• A willingness to persist at something difficult when others give up.

• A willingness to listen and learn from others.

• A quest for constant improvement in the way things are done.

• A strong sense of responsibility for themselves and their actions.

"Children who lack the desire to achieve also show common characteristics, including:

* A willingness to cheat.

* Avoiding things that look challenging.

* Choosing a path that requires the least amount of effort.

* Pleasure-seeking.

* Erratic achievement.

* A fear of emotional intimacy.

* A tendency to push others to make a commitment so they don't have to

"Stress and difficulty can be great teachers if parents can refrain from constantly paving the path for their children, he said. In many instances the best response to childhood complaints is a simple one: 'Work harder'."