雙語散文:積極的路徑通向成功
【英文原文】
I have always been fascinated with the word Success. I have read countless descriptions and definitions of the word, but I have yet to find a description that is all encompassing. Success means different things to different people.
In blogging here at Success Begins Today, we have talked about a myriad of things that lead to success, but it is hard to put into words the exact meaning.
The dictionary says Success is
the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors.
the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like.
Yet those words tend to imply that success is a destination. If that is true, then it begs the question… are we a failure until we reach the destination? I like Authur Ashe’s definition better…
Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.
In my experience, I would agree with that statement. So many times the journey itself is the key element. The important thing about the journey is the direction. Is it leading to success or is it leading to failure.
For the new year, I would like to introduce the concept of consequences.
The definition of Consequence is
the effect, result, or outcome of something occurring earlier:
The accident was the consequence of reckless driving.
an act or instance of following something as an effect, or outcome.
Eating less at each meal led to positive consequences.
In simple terms a path of action can have three different outcomes or consequences.
1. Positive Consequences. The path leads in a positive direction towards success
2. Negative Consequences. The path leads in a negative direction towards failure
3. Unintended Consequences. The path led in a different direction than planned.
This simple concept can help us judge our actions and goals.
Let me give you a simple example of each one.
1. If you save 10% of your income each paycheck and put it in savings, the consequences are very positive. In times of trouble or in retirement you’ll have a nest egg to draw from.
2. If you spend more that your paycheck by 10% by charging things on a credit card it can have very negative consequences in the long term by creating a growing debt balance with high interest.
3. Lending money to a friend or family member may seem like a helpful thing to do but may have the unintended consequences of anger and broken relationships if the debt is not repaid.
It is my premise that doing activities and setting goals with positive consequences will lead a person to success.
【中文譯文】
我常常爲成功這個字眼着迷。我讀過無數個關於成功的描述和定義，但沒有一個可以包容成功的全部含義。對於每一個人，成功有着不同的意義。
在成功從今天開始（Success Begins Today）這個博客中，我們討論了無數種達到成功的方法，但是要準確地用語言表達成功是很難的。
詞典中說成功是付出嘗試和努力而獲得的喜人的、良好的結果，或者是獲取財富、地位、榮譽之類的東西。
但是這些定義偏向於暗示成功是一種目的。如果這種說法是真的，那麼就導致一個問題——如果我們沒有得到成功的結果，我們就只能算是失敗者嗎？我個人比較喜歡作家阿西亞（Ashe）對成功的定義：
——成功是一次旅程，而不是旅程的目的。做的過程比結果更重要。
以我的經歷爲例，我完全同意這種說法。很多時候，旅程本身才是核心。旅程中重要的是方向。它可以引導你走向成功或失敗。
新的一年中，我想介紹一下結果的概念。
結果的定義是
之前發生事件導致的效果、結果或成果，例如事故是不安全駕駛的結果。
緊隨行動或事件後的表現爲效果或結果的事物，例如每餐少吃點導向積極的結果。
簡單地說，一系列行動可以導致三種不同成果或結果。
1.積極的結果。這種行動採用積極的指導從而導向成功。
2.消極的結果。這種行動採用消極的指導從而導向失敗。
3.中性的結果。這種行動不遵循既定的計劃而採用不同的指導。
這個簡單的概念可以幫助我們判斷我們的行動和目標。
讓我舉例說明不同的結果。
1．如果你將薪水的10％節約下來存入銀行，其結果是十分積極的。在苦難或退休時期，你還有儲備金可以依靠。
2．如果你透支信用卡花掉比你收入多10％的錢購物，其結果是十分消極的。在長遠看來，它會導致高利率負債的不斷增長。
3．把錢借給朋友或親戚看上去是很好的是，但是如果對方不還債，可能會導致憤怒和關係破裂等預料之外結果。
我的假定是——做產生積極結果的行動和設定引向積極結果的目標將使一個人獲得成功。
