Man Up for Success

If you want to succeed, you must commit to three things. First, you must take personal responsibility for your success. Only you can make you a success. You need to be willing to do the things necessary to succeed. Second, you must set high goals -- and then do whatever it takes to achieve them. Third, stuff happens; as you go through life you will encounter many problems and setbacks. You need to react positively to the negative stuff and move forward toward your goals.

Last week I read an article in USA Today about a new book by Beth Fertig called why cant u teach me 2 read? It's the sad story of three young people who graduated from New York public schools and couldn't read. Two of the three students allowed Ms. Fertig to use their first name only. The third was Antonio Rocha.

Antonio sued the New York City Board of Education and was awarded 480 hours of private tutoring which helped him learn to read. In the hearing he told the officer…

"I'm going to be 18 years old in seven months. I don't want to tu
18 and not know how to read. I'm supposed to graduate high school. I'm supposed to go to the military. Where am I now? Where am I now?"

Antonio is 20 now. He can read. He has a job with United Parcel Service.

Antonio committed to taking personal responsibility for his life. He admitted -- to himself and publicly -- that even though he was about to graduate from high school he couldn't read. He did what it took to get him the tutoring he needed to learn to read and to get a job once he graduated from high school.

If you're reading this article, chances are that you haven't had to overcome the difficulties Antonio faced. We -- you and me -- are lucky. We learned to read early on. However, Antonio should be a role model for you and me. He shows us how to commit to taking personal responsibility for creating a successful life and career. As I've said many times, "I'm the only one who can make me a success. You're the only one who can make you a success." Or, as my brother in law, Rick Newell says, "You have to man up."

The common sense point here is clear. Successful people commit to taking personal responsibility for their life and career. It's never too late to do so. Antonio Rocha was 18 years old and about to graduate from high school -- but he couldn't read. He committed to taking personal responsibility for his life when he pressured the New York City school board into giving him a private tutor to help him learn to read. He is a role model for all of us. He knew that he didn't have the skills to survive in the world of work, and he did what he needed to do to get them. If you want to succeed in your life and career, you need to do the same. Commit to taking personal responsibility for your success.