There is a fairly popular book for inspiration and parenting by Marion Wright Edelman, the New York Times bestseller The measure of our success (http://www.amazon.com/Measure-Our-Success-Letter-Children/dp/0060975466/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1323630318&sr=1-1).

She lists 25 lessons for life, which she elaborates on in the book.

In short, they are:


THE MEASURE OF OUR SUCCESS

Twenty-five lessons for life:

1. There is no free lunch.
Don't feel entitled to anything you don't sweat and struggle for.

2. Set goals and work quietly and systematically toward them.

3. Assign yourself.

4. Never work just for money or for power. They won't save your soul or help you sleep at night.

5. Don't be afraid of taking risks or of being critized.

6. Take parenting and family life seriously and insist that those you work for and who represent you do.

7. Remember that your wife is not your mother or your maid, but your partner and friend.

8. Forming families is serious business.

9. Be honest.

10. Remember and help America country remember that the fellowship of human beings is more important than the fellowship of race and class and gender in a democratic society.

11. Sell the shadow for the substance.

12. Never give up.

13. Be confident that you can make a difference.

14. Don't ever stop learning and improving your mind.

15. Don't be afraid of hard work or of teaching your children to work.

16. »Slow down and live.«

17. Choose your friends carefully.

18. Be a can-do, will-try person.

19. Try to live in the present.

20. Use your political and economic power for the community and others less fortunate.

21. Listen for »the sound of the genuine« within yourself and others.

22. You are in charge of your attitude.

23. Remember your roots, your history, and the forbears' shoulders on which you stand.

24. Be reliable. Be faithful. Finish what you start.

25. Always remember that you are never alone.


7 and 10 can be rephrased, so as to apply to all:

7. Remember that your spouse is not your parent or your maid, but your partner and friend.

10. Remember and help your country remember that the fellowship of human beings is more important than the fellowship of race and class and gender in a democratic society.




What objections can be made to her lessons?

She lists 25 lessons for life, which she elaborates on in the book.

What objections can be made to her lessons?


It seems the lessons for life she elaborated are too idealistic. Some people thinks that they have been succesful because they did the best to achieve it, but sometimes they don't know the key factor that made them to success and not become a homeless.
I think that only a low x% depends on us in life. We also depen on the country where we live, we depend on our politicians, we depend on other factors very much, our luck is not only the result of our personality.

What do you mean that they are too "idealistic"?

Such objectives can help you be successful, but nothing is ever guaranteed. So they are idealistic. Something to strive for. It helps to be in the right place at the right time as well, and realize you're in that right place, and then have the ability to act on it. There's plenty of moderately successful people out there, but it's the ones that seized the moment who are in our history books.

You seem to mean that "success" is all about material wealth?

What do you mean that they are too "idealistic"?

E.g.: Lesson 20 .-- Use your political and economic power for the community and others less fortunate.

That's just a lesson of good intentions.
When I read this lesson 20, it made me think of all these tax havens, where public money that must be used for the community, has been divertet for private business.

You seem to mean that "success" is all about material wealth?

No, you're reading that into it. Success can mean anything you manage to accomplish, usually that has a greater impact on things. Doesn't have to contribute to your bank account.

E.g.: Lesson 20 .-- Use your political and economic power for the community and others less fortunate.

That's a lesson of good intentions, but in most in most of the countries politicians benefit from their status to prosper themselves and their families.
When I read this lesson, it made me think of all those tax havens, where public money that should be used for the community, has been sent there for private business.

On the whole, would you say that Wright Edelman's lessons do not lead to success nor personal satisfaction?

What alternative would you suggest?

On the whole, would you say that Wright Edelman's lessons do not lead to success nor personal satisfaction?



Marian Wright Edelman is an American activist, born in 1939 in South Carolina, USA. She married Peter Edelman, an assistant to Kennedy.

The 25 lessons of Marian Wright Edelman might lead to success or to personal satisfaction depending on the country where you live.
I dare say that lessons are not universal at all and it can not be applied in many zones of the world.

What do you understand by "success"?

I hate such lists. They all sound so contrived. I bet Edelman had to do some brain storming in order to come up with a workable list under a deadline for her publisher.

Thanks for this post guys I was going through the same thing