今天不必以往：如何不断超越自我

 　　今天不必以往：如何不断超越自我

　　As a society, we’re obsessed¹ with achievement. But what happens once you’re considered objectively successful, with a great salary and a job that energizes² you? It’s easy to rest on your accomplishments³ and your way of getting work done, perhaps even feeling there’s not much left to learn.

　　But in this economy, you can’t afford to sit back -- even though it might be tempting⁴.

　　’Successful people fall into the trap of thinking they don’t need to change anything because their behavior is working for them,’ says Marshall Goldsmith, author of ’What Got You Here Won’t Get You There: How Successful People Become Even More Successful.’ ’Every time they get promoted...they get positive reinforcement even when certain skills are lacking.

　　Know Your Weaknesses

　　But examining where you might have shortcomings can make or break a career.

　　David Hale of Columbia, S.C., quickly rose to the top of the military police force and was granted the highly sought-after position of polygraph examiner with the Army Criminal Investigation⁵ Command.

　　’I was my own biggest fan, and being cocky, I would try to force confessions⁷ from suspects either prior to or based on their exams,’ he says. But he didn’t take the time to understand that criminals are more likely to confess to people they like and trust. ’My results fell way below other examiners,’ Mr. Hale says.

　　Mr. Hale didn’t realize he needed to change until his boss transferred him and said that if his confession⁶ rate didn’t increase, he would be fired. He studied forensic⁸ interviewing, worked on relating to subjects on an emotional level, and pursued courses in leadership, counseling and psychology⁹. Eventually, Mr. Hale began to rise again in his career, and he became known as one of the top polygraph examiners anywhere.

　　Necessary Skills

　　Becoming as successful as you can be -- after you’ve already climbed part of the ladder -- means you need two things.

　　For starters, you need outstanding people skills: Listen carefully, think before you speak, reciprocate¹⁰ favors and manage conflicts diplomatically.

　　Second, you must regularly take a hard look at yourself and address your weak points. For example, if you have a communication issue with one person or a group of people, step away from the blame game and ask yourself, ’How can I be better?’ Make sure people are honest with you by requesting feedback anonymously¹¹ and confidentially¹².

　　If you’re employed by a large organization, consider contacting human resources to see what training is available. You may have the opportunity to take leadership-development courses online or in-person for free.

　　But the most important thing to keep in mind is that just because you’re skilled or talented in a particular area doesn’t mean you should simply pass go and collect your $200.

　　I, for instance, was hesitant to work with a speaking coach because my audience evaluations¹³ didn’t mandate¹⁴ it, but once I learned that the top speakers in the world -- from Tony Robbins to President Barack Obama -- have worked with coaches, I changed my mind.

　　Says Mr. Goldsmith: ’Strong leaders don’t coast.’

1 obsessed   

adj.心神不宁的,鬼迷心窍的,沉迷的

参考例句：

• He's obsessed by computers. 他迷上了电脑。
• The fear of death obsessed him throughout his old life. 他晚年一直受着死亡恐惧的困扰。

2 energizes   

v.给予…精力，能量( energize的第三人称单数 )；使通电

参考例句：

• However, heating energizes the vibrational, rotational, and electronic motions all at once. 但是，加热会一下子把振动、转动和电子运动统统加强。 来自英汉非文学 - 科技
• Purpose always produces passion. Nothing energizes like a clear purpose. 目的往往会带来热忱，没有任何东西比清晰的目的更有动力。 来自互联网

3 accomplishments   

n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就

参考例句：

• It was one of the President's greatest accomplishments. 那是总统最伟大的成就之一。
• Among her accomplishments were sewing,cooking,playing the piano and dancing. 她的才能包括缝纫、烹调、弹钢琴和跳舞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

4 tempting   

a.诱人的, 吸引人的

参考例句：

• It is tempting to idealize the past. 人都爱把过去的日子说得那么美好。
• It was a tempting offer. 这是个诱人的提议。

5 investigation   

n.调查，调查研究

参考例句：

• In an investigation,a new fact became known, which told against him.在调查中新发现了一件对他不利的事实。
• He drew the conclusion by building on his own investigation.他根据自己的调查研究作出结论。

6 confession   

n.自白，供认，承认

参考例句：

• Her confession was simply tantamount to a casual explanation.她的自白简直等于一篇即席说明。
• The police used torture to extort a confession from him.警察对他用刑逼供。

7 confessions   

n.承认( confession的名词复数 )；自首；声明；（向神父的）忏悔

参考例句：

• It is strictly forbidden to obtain confessions and to give them credence. 严禁逼供信。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Neither trickery nor coercion is used to secure confessions. 既不诱供也不逼供。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

8 forensic   

adj.法庭的，雄辩的

参考例句：

• The report included his interpretation of the forensic evidence.该报告包括他对法庭证据的诠释。
• The judge concluded the proceeding on 10:30 Am after one hour of forensic debate.经过近一个小时的法庭辩论后，法官于10时30分宣布休庭。

9 psychology   

n.心理，心理学，心理状态

参考例句：

• She has a background in child psychology.她受过儿童心理学的教育。
• He studied philosophy and psychology at Cambridge.他在剑桥大学学习哲学和心理学。

10 reciprocate   

v.往复运动；互换；回报，酬答

参考例句：

• Although she did not reciprocate his feelings, she did not discourage him.尽管她没有回应他的感情，她也没有使他丧失信心。
• Some day I will reciprocate your kindness to me.总有一天我会报答你对我的恩德。

11 anonymously   

ad.用匿名的方式

参考例句：

• The manuscripts were submitted anonymously. 原稿是匿名送交的。
• Methods A self-administered questionnaire was used to survey 536 teachers anonymously. 方法采用自编“中小学教师职业压力问卷”对536名中小学教师进行无记名调查。

12 confidentially   

ad.秘密地，悄悄地

参考例句：

• She was leaning confidentially across the table. 她神神秘秘地从桌子上靠过来。
• Kao Sung-nien and Wang Ch'u-hou talked confidentially in low tones. 高松年汪处厚两人低声密谈。

13 evaluations   

估价( evaluation的名词复数 )； 赋值； 估计价值； [医学]诊断

参考例句：

• In fact, our moral evaluations are merely expressions of our desires. 事实上，我们的道德评价只是我们欲望的表达形式。 来自哲学部分
• Properly speaking, however, these evaluations and insights are not within the concept of official notice. 但准确地讲，这些评估和深远见识并未包括在官方通知概念里。

14 mandate   

n.托管地；命令，指示

参考例句：

• The President had a clear mandate to end the war.总统得到明确的授权结束那场战争。
• The General Election gave him no such mandate.大选并未授予他这种权力。