by Ted Leonsis
Founder, AOL
What is your scorecard for success? Most people don't have one--so unless you write one down – and commit to it -- your life and career can take a haphazard route. I did not have a plan and I didn't know how to keep score. While I was successful in my career and had garnered some success at an early age in life, I wasn't happy and wasn't living a life that had no regret.
And then I got on the wrong airplane. The plane was forced to jettison
I also became a student of happiness. Through research, studies and lots of reading I have learned that we are in this business of life to be happy and to become self-actualized. I define happiness as the quality of the relationships you have, the productivity you display in all facets of life and the quality of the output of your life's work. Did you leave more than you took? Did the world get better by your work? Did you do the right things the right way?
And then I got on the wrong airplane. The plane was forced to jettison
its fuel and make an emergency landing. As we were coming in for our landing I realized that I didn't even know what I was trying to do to live a full, self-actualized life – and I promised if I lived, I would do so.
Two weeks later I wrote down my list of 101 things to do before I die. It is a wide ranging list. In the 26 years since the plane crash I have checked 72 items off the list. My intent is to get them all crossed off before I die. The list was aspirational, with some big goals and some small ones. It has helped shape a lot of my work and a lot of my life's satisfaction.I also became a student of happiness. Through research, studies and lots of reading I have learned that we are in this business of life to be happy and to become self-actualized. I define happiness as the quality of the relationships you have, the productivity you display in all facets of life and the quality of the output of your life's work. Did you leave more than you took? Did the world get better by your work? Did you do the right things the right way?
After my research I believe that there are 5 traits that all happy and successful people share and here they are:
1. They are active participants in multiple communities of interest. They learn how to connect their served communities together.
2. They express themselves. They aren't afraid to speak up--to take a principled stand on an issue.
3. They show gratitude for life's little moments and have empathy for mankind. They "smell the roses".
4. They volunteer and give back. They think "we"; instead of "I".
5. They pursue a higher calling in all things--business—spiritual---relationships.
That is it—my 5 keys to happiness and to success.
1. They are active participants in multiple communities of interest. They learn how to connect their served communities together.
2. They express themselves. They aren't afraid to speak up--to take a principled stand on an issue.
3. They show gratitude for life's little moments and have empathy for mankind. They "smell the roses".
4. They volunteer and give back. They think "we"; instead of "I".
5. They pursue a higher calling in all things--business—spiritual---relationships.
That is it—my 5 keys to happiness and to success.
HAVE A PLAN
WRITE IT DOWN
AND GO OUT AND MAKE YOURSELF PROUD!
About Ted Leonsis
Theodore "Ted" J. Leonsis was born in Brooklyn, New York, son of Greek immigrants. He was the first member of his family to complete college. It was in college where he met his first mentor, Father Joseph Durkin, who sparked Leonsis' interest in computers. Leonsis would use the school's only computer -- a 360 mainframe that used punch cards -- 40 minutes at a time and often after midnight, when access was available.
Leonsis had an idea on a software user-guide for personal computers when he was only 24 years old. He prepared a 15-page business plan and made a presentation to the E.F. Hutton Corporation before a committee of seasoned business executives. They were so impressed by his presentation, that E.F. Hutton gave Leonsis a million dollars in venture capital backing. From there, his creativity, fortitude, and hard work resulted in stunning successes, including his efforts as one of the founders of AOL.
He is an owner of the Washington Capitols, Washington Mystics and Washington Wizards sport teams; Chairman of Clearspring Technologies and Revolution Money, a film producer, a private-angel investor, an active Board member, and a committed philanthropist.
Check out his blog at: www.Tedstake.com
Theodore "Ted" J. Leonsis was born in Brooklyn, New York, son of Greek immigrants. He was the first member of his family to complete college. It was in college where he met his first mentor, Father Joseph Durkin, who sparked Leonsis' interest in computers. Leonsis would use the school's only computer -- a 360 mainframe that used punch cards -- 40 minutes at a time and often after midnight, when access was available.
Leonsis had an idea on a software user-guide for personal computers when he was only 24 years old. He prepared a 15-page business plan and made a presentation to the E.F. Hutton Corporation before a committee of seasoned business executives. They were so impressed by his presentation, that E.F. Hutton gave Leonsis a million dollars in venture capital backing. From there, his creativity, fortitude, and hard work resulted in stunning successes, including his efforts as one of the founders of AOL.
He is an owner of the Washington Capitols, Washington Mystics and Washington Wizards sport teams; Chairman of Clearspring Technologies and Revolution Money, a film producer, a private-angel investor, an active Board member, and a committed philanthropist.
Check out his blog at: www.Tedstake.com
