For this activity, you will conduct a web search of two to three highly successful individuals of your choice. Research their history and struggles and the choices they made that led to their success. You will write at least three paragraphs addressing these questions:

Question

Who did you research? What choices did these people make that helped them succeed and reach their goals?
What choices would have adversely affected their success? Give examples.
How can you use this information to help you reach your goals? How will you make choices that will lead to your success? Give examples.
In addition to these required questions, you will need to come up with at least one self-generated question and provide an answer to your question.

Answer 1

For this activity, I researched Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey, and Jeff Bezos, three highly successful individuals.

Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, made several choices that helped him succeed and reach his goals. For instance, he took risks and invested his own money to ensure the success of his companies. Musk also made the choice to overcome failures and setbacks, such as the failed launch of SpaceX's Falcon 1 rocket in 2006. Instead of giving up, he persisted and continued to innovate. Furthermore, Musk chose to focus on long-term goals and the betterment of humanity, as evidenced by his work in the fields of electric vehicles, sustainable energy, and space exploration.

Similarly, Oprah Winfrey made choices that contributed to her remarkable success. She focused on self-improvement and personal growth, continuously learning and adapting. Winfrey also made the choice to turn her personal struggles, such as childhood trauma and career setbacks, into sources of inspiration and motivation. She used her platform to address important social and cultural issues, making a positive impact on her millions of viewers. Additionally, Winfrey chose to surround herself with a strong team and build a successful media empire.

If Musk, Winfrey, or Bezos had made choices that adversely affected their success, their paths could have been different. For example, Musk faced financial difficulties with his companies in the early years and could have chosen to abandon his ventures. Bezos, the founder of Amazon, faced criticisms and doubts about the profitability of his online bookstore. However, instead of compromising or giving up, they persevered and continued to make choices that aligned with their long-term goals.

To use this information to reach my own goals, I can adopt similar approaches. I can take risks, learn from failures, focus on long-term goals, and continuously improve myself. Additionally, I can seek out a strong support system that will help me overcome challenges and make informed choices. For example, if I want to start my own business, I can learn from the resilience of Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos when faced with setbacks and criticisms. I can also focus on creating value and making a positive impact on society, akin to Oprah Winfrey's approach.

Self-generated question: How did these individuals handle the pressure and expectations that came with their success?

Answer: These highly successful individuals not only made wise choices but also had effective strategies for managing pressure and expectations. They practiced self-care and prioritized their mental health. Elon Musk, for instance, openly talks about the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. Oprah Winfrey regularly engages in activities like meditation and journaling to stay grounded. Additionally, they relied on a strong support system of trusted advisors, friends, and mentors to help them manage the challenges that came with their success.