如何做自己的CEO

 　　Climbing the corporate¹ ladder might not be for everyone, but everyone can use secrets to business success in order to improve their lives and reach their goals.  The key to success is to set achievable goals, develop a plan to reach those goals, surround yourself with people who can help you, and – most importantly – take charge to run your life the way you want it to be ran.

　　Here are ten steps to Become the CEO of You, Inc.:

　　1. Make things happen for you, don’t just let them happen to you

　　Each of us only has one life to live.  We can either: 1. Take responsibility and create the lives we want to live or 2. Let others shape our lives into something they want us to live. If you let others shape your life, you’ll never attain² the degree of success you’re striving for.

　　2. Set your goals

　　Every CEO has an “end in mind” for their company. So should you. Write a journal entry or type an e-mail to yourself describing what you see yourself doing in three years. Be specific, but don’t over-complicate it. For example: 1.) “I’m a manager in the financial services sector³ of a Fortune 500 company,” 2.) “I’m on a team, solving global issues and I’ve traveled to eight different countries in the past year,” or 3.) “I’ll work out at least five days per week.” The more specific you are about what you want to be doing, the easier it will be to develop a plan to make it happen.

　　3. Create your board of directors

　　Now that you know where you want to be in three years, you’ll need a team to help you get there. This “board of directors” should consist of people who can help you confirm your aspirations⁴, and then help you achieve them. These people should include mentors⁵, sponsors, industry experts, peers, etc. They will help open doors for you, get you the right assignments, give you advice, or simply be there to listen.

　　4. Develop an annual plan with quarterly goals

　　Set short-term goals and hold yourself accountable. Meet your goals for every quarter and you’ll have a successful year. Have three successful years and you’ll meet your “end in mind.” Continually revisit and reevaluate your plan to make adjustments as needed. Do this to make sure you stay on target.

　　5. Execute your plan… everyday

　　If you don’t work toward your goals each and every day, you’ll miss your goals for the quarter, for the year… and for your entire life. Take time to think about what you’re doing (and not doing). If you don’t have the skills and capabilities⁶ to reach your goals, find a way to obtain them (this might be an instance where you refer to your board of directors).

　　6. Focus on your product

　　In this case, the product is you. Always be on the lookout⁷ for ways to improve your product. Search for ways to make yourself better, whether it’s through education, experience, networking, exercise, etc. Stay up-to-date in your field and skills. If your product is outdated⁸, nobody will want it.

　　7. Pay attention to the packaging of your product

　　Develop the presence, poise⁹, and voice to meet your goals and effectively perform in order to be in the position you want to be in. How are you presenting yourself at meetings? How do you associate with superiors, co-workers, and employees?

　　8. Market yourself

　　Be visible in your company, your industry, and your community. Prepare for every meeting. Learn how to use your voice with passion. People need to know who you are, what you’re capable of doing, and what you really want to do.

　　9. Demonstrate your skills

　　Make people want your product. Look for ways to utilize¹⁰ your entrepreneurial skills and deliver value to the company and shareholders¹¹. Recalibrate as changes occur, but don’t forget to deal with the cards you have in your hand today… not the ones you’re hoping to have in the future. Remember: You can do anything you set your mind to do.

　　10. Take time for yourself

　　Regularly assess where you are today and where you want to be tomorrow. Make sure you’re heading in the right direction and moving at the right speed to get you where you want to be. If you’re not, adjust and keep moving. Don’t forget to have fun along the way!

1 corporate   

adj.共同的，全体的；公司的，企业的

参考例句：

• This is our corporate responsibility.这是我们共同的责任。
• His corporate's life will be as short as a rabbit's tail.他的公司的寿命是兔子尾巴长不了。

2 attain   

vt.达到，获得，完成

参考例句：

• I used the scientific method to attain this end. 我用科学的方法来达到这一目的。
• His painstaking to attain his goal in life is praiseworthy. 他为实现人生目标所下的苦功是值得称赞的。

3 sector   

n.部门，部分；防御地段，防区；扇形

参考例句：

• The export sector will aid the economic recovery. 出口产业将促进经济复苏。
• The enemy have attacked the British sector.敌人已进攻英国防区。

4 aspirations   

强烈的愿望( aspiration的名词复数 )； 志向； 发送气音； 发 h 音

参考例句：

• I didn't realize you had political aspirations. 我没有意识到你有政治上的抱负。
• The new treaty embodies the aspirations of most nonaligned countries. 新条约体现了大多数不结盟国家的愿望。

5 mentors   

n.（无经验之人的）有经验可信赖的顾问( mentor的名词复数 )v.（无经验之人的）有经验可信赖的顾问( mentor的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Beacham and McNamara, my two mentors, had both warned me. 我的两位忠实朋友，比彻姆和麦克纳马拉都曾经警告过我。 来自辞典例句
• These are the kinds of contacts that could evolve into mentors. 这些人是可能会成为你导师。 来自互联网

6 capabilities   

n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力

参考例句：

• He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities. 他有点自大，自视甚高。 来自辞典例句
• Some programmers use tabs to break complex product capabilities into smaller chunks. 一些程序员认为，标签可以将复杂的功能分为每个窗格一组简单的功能。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

7 lookout   

n.注意，前途，瞭望台

参考例句：

• You can see everything around from the lookout.从了望台上你可以看清周围的一切。
• It's a bad lookout for the company if interest rates don't come down.如果利率降不下来，公司的前景可就不妙了。

8 outdated   

adj.旧式的，落伍的，过时的；v.使过时

参考例句：

• That list of addresses is outdated,many have changed.那个通讯录已经没用了，许多地址已经改了。
• Many of us conform to the outdated customs laid down by our forebears.我们许多人都遵循祖先立下的过时习俗。

9 poise   

vt./vi. 平衡，保持平衡；n.泰然自若，自信

参考例句：

• She hesitated briefly but quickly regained her poise.她犹豫片刻，但很快恢复了镇静。
• Ballet classes are important for poise and grace.芭蕾课对培养优雅的姿仪非常重要。

10 utilize   

vt.使用，利用

参考例句：

• The cook will utilize the leftover ham bone to make soup.厨师要用吃剩的猪腿骨做汤。
• You must utilize all available resources.你必须利用一切可以得到的资源。

11 shareholders   

n.股东( shareholder的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The meeting was attended by 90% of shareholders. 90%的股东出席了会议。
• the company's fiduciary duty to its shareholders 公司对股东负有的受托责任