Want to achieve something big in life? Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get to work. I've always admired people who set ambitious goals and actually achieve them against all odds. You know the type - those folks who just seem to achieve big things and stop at nothing to reach their goals. We call them high achievers, and man are they inspiring.
It's also pretty fascinating to think about what makes people like that tick, you know? Those kind of people who's always gunning for more, chasing crazy ambitious dreams with laser focus and serious talent. How do they muster that kind of unrelenting drive to be the best, that grit and passion to really go for it without stopping til they get there? It's pretty wild to imagine having that kind of focus and determination.
Don't get me wrong, achieving great things takes hard work for sure. But I think there's something special about those elite few who just seem built different, with a burning ambition in their gut that won't quit pushing them to new levels of success. It's awesome to see in action, and definitely makes you think 'Wow, I wanna work on cultivating some of that kind of energy and skill myself!'
Definition of High Achievers
Setting ambitious goals and working hard to achieve them - that's what I'd call being a high achiever. These folks are truly self-motivated to keep challenging themselves, learning new things, and maxing out their potential. Yeah intelligence matters, but it's their solid work ethic, grit, and refusal to quit that really sets high achievers apart.
When things don't go their way, they don't see it as the end of the world. Setbacks and failures are just bumps in the road as far as they're concerned. Instead of feeling sorry for themselves, they take a step back and figure out how to bounce back even stronger. It's that growth mindset that enables them to learn from mistakes and adjust their game plan along the way.
Another thing I admire about high achievers is that they realize success is a team effort. They're always looking to lift others up as well. Leading by example with passion, positivity, and perseverance, they take pride in seeing their peers win too.
Ben Carson's Story
Ben Carson's rise to becoming a renowned pediatric neurosurgeon and public figure against tremendous odds is nothing short of extraordinary. Born in 1951 in Detroit, Michigan, he grew up in inner city poverty being raised by a single mother with a third grade education. Despite their difficult circumstances, his mother Sonya instilled the virtues of hard work, discipline and perseverance that would serve Carson well throughout his life.
As a child, Carson struggled in school and was considered a poor student due to his severe temper. However, his mother required him to read two library books a week, cultivating his love of learning. By his teen years, Carson's academic performance and behavior had transformed completely as he set his sights on a career in medicine. He graduated with honors from Southwestern High School and went on to attend Yale University, where he earned a degree in Psychology in 1973.
Carson then began medical school at the University of Michigan, a field still lacking in diversity at the time. He often faced racism, doubts and low expectations that merely stoked his drive to succeed. Through immense dedication and late nights studying, Carson went on to graduate with highest honors from medical school in 1977. He completed his internship and neurosurgical residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, which had never before been achieved by an African American.
By the age of just 32, Carson became Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins, one of the most prestigious medical positions in the country. There he pioneered new procedures and revolutionized methods used in separating conjoined twins. Over his decades-long career, Carson performed thousands of delicate operations including separating the youngest twins ever, complex tumor and aneurysm removals with remarkable recovery rates. He authored over 100 neurosurgical publications and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Bush in 2008.
Beyond his unmatched medical career, Dr. Carson went on to become a bestselling author, frequent speaker and political figure. Even after his retirement in 2013, he continues fighting for healthcare access, education reform and opportunities for all through his public advocacy and new American Cornerstone Institute. Carson’s resilience and breakthrough triumphs against unimaginable barriers have truly cemented his legacy as one of history’s greatest high achievers, inspiring millions worldwide.
How To Be a High Achiever
They say success is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. But what exactly goes on under the hood while those high achievers are sweating the small stuff?
When I was in college, I wanted nothing more than to achieve at the highest level in all my classes and extracurriculars. I worked extremely hard to accomplish big goals and always challenge myself further. Through trial and error, I've developed a personalized system for high achievement that has served me well in my career and life pursuits. I'll share my top five tips for how anyone can start achieving more and maximizing their potential.
Schedule Like Your Life Depends On It
No hobbyists need apply - if you want real results, your calendar needs to run like a Swiss watch. That means blocking out sacred chunks of time for focused work just like critical meetings and deadlines.
- As productivity guru Brian Tracy says, "Plan every day in advance. Organize your time. Know what your highest priorities are and work on them first." Personally, I've tried all sorts of scheduling systems from paper planners to digital tools. These days, nothing keeps me on track like Calendar and Google Tasks working together.
- Schedule specific time blocks for tasks rather than vague entries like "work."
- Color code categories so you know to block off writing time in blue, for example.
- Set reminders for everything from client calls to watering your plants.
- Review your schedule daily and shift priorities as needed.
- Learn (And Teach) Like You're Getting Paid For It
Successful pros are perpetual pupils who turn every experience into a lesson. Sales master Jeff Bezos said it best: "It’s not enough to try to avoid failure. You must first work to succeed.”
Whether it's diving into personal development books, taking online courses, or buddying up with knowledgeable colleagues, high achievers squeeze edification from wherever they find it:
- Make a habit of summarizing key insights from what you read in a knowledge journal.
- Seek out mentors whose brains you can pick, and be a mentor to pass along wisdom.
- Turn conference sessions into semester-long crash courses by fasting note-taking.
High achievers internalize information through explaining it - because there's no better way to really learn than by teaching. So share your stories and tutorials online whenever possible. Knowledge is power, but shared knowledge grows exponentially.
Applying The principles of High Achievers to Content Creation
High achievers are tweakers who compulsively refine every system, script, and offer through continual testing and small adjustments. They know new perspectives and technologies will disrupt even their best processes.
Find your mojo through trial and error:
- A/B test social posts, ads, sales pages - killing losers and doubling down on what converts.
- Poll followers for feedback on services or formats - they'll tell you what needs work.
- Revisit top-performing content every 6-12 months and update for fresh relevance.
- Cross-pollinate tactics between platforms - TikTok tricks that work on Twitter, etc.
As Edison said, “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.” Learn fast from flops and you'll get where you're going that much sooner.
Zen Out to Fuel Your Fire
All work and no play leads to burnout - so GET. THAT. REST. Elon Musk said he works 120 hour weeks, but knows how to recharge: “You need to rest and watch your health, because otherwise you’ll make more mistakes.”
Give your mind a vacation through activities that empty your head:
- Walk, hike or do yoga daily to feel stress flow out your feet.
- Disconnect completely during planned downtime - no devices!
- Listen to soothing tunes or nature sounds before bed.
- Schedule RESET days a few times a month for disconnecting, recharging solo or with loved ones.
Your brainpower and fresh perspectives will thank you, as will your clients and co-workers who don't want a tired you bringing them down. Make self-care a non-negotiable to keep crushing it.
At the end of the day, how far you go is far more about how hard you're willing to work for it rather than obsessing over shortcomings. If you pursue excellence with everything you've got, you'll be amazed what you can accomplish - and maybe even more than you ever thought possible. It just takes making the most of the talents and opportunities you have.
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