Is common sense a trait a person is born with，or can you do something to increase it？ The oil man’s answer is that common sense can definitely be developed. He attributes his to learning how to debate in school. Another way to increase your store of common sense is to observe it in others，learning from their and your own-mistakes.
Knowing one‘s field. After common sense，specialized knowledge in one’s field is the second most common trait possessed by the respondents， with three-fourths giving themselves an A in this category.
Geologist Philip Oxley，former president of Tenneco Oil Exploration and Production Co. and now chairman of Tenneco Europe，attributes his success to having worked in the oil fields，by“sitting on wells and bird-dogging seismic crews，”he learned the tricks of the trade firsthand. “People，who are going to be good managers need to have a practical understanding of the crafts in their business.”he says. Today his expertise earns him a six-figure salary.
On-the-job experience convinced people the importance of specialized knowledge. He says that“understanding why my equipment performs the way it does”is part of his success formula. A noteworthy point：he obtained his specialized knowledge through self-education and not through formal schooling.
Self-reliance. Top achievers rely primarily on their own resources and abilities. Seventy-seven percent give themselves an A rating for this trait. Self-reliance is not how you feel or how good you are；rather，it‘s whether you have the gumption to take definitive action to get thingsmoving in your life. It includes plain old willpower and the ability to get goals.
Two-thirds of the respondents say they’ve had clear goals for their lives and careers. And half of those we interviewed give themselves an A in willpower. Among other capabilities，willpower encompasses the ability to be a self-starter and to persevere after a project has begun.
General intelligence. This is essential for outstanding achievement because it involves your natural ability to comprehend difficult concepts quickly and to analyze them clearly and incisively. At least that‘s the way our respondents see it- 43 percent said it was a very important ingredient of their success，and another 52 percent said it was fairly important.
Ability to get things done. Nearly three-fourths of our high achievers rank themselves“very efficient”in accomplish tasks. And they agree that at least three important qualities have helped them to do so： organizational ability，good work habits and diligence.
A physics professor summarizes his success formula this way， “Sheer hard，tenacious work，with the ability to pace oneself.”He admits working up to 100 hours a week.
Besides the five listed here，there are other factors that influence success：leadership，creativity，relationships with others，and，of course，luck. But common sense，knowing your field，self-reliance， intelligence and the ability to get things done stand out. If you cultivate these traits，chances are you’ll succeed. And you might even find yourself listed in Who‘s Who someday.
每一个成功者都有一个开始，勇于开始，才能找到成功的路。
参考翻译（张敏）
是否存在一种“成功的性格”，能够导致成功成为必然结果的优秀特质组合？如果有，那么成功法则的秘诀是什么呢？是不是人人都可以培养？
在盖洛普组织，我们近期集中对成功特性进行了深入调查，调查在美国名人录中任意抽取1500位著名人士的价值观和特质。进入美国名人录的主要标准不是财富的多少或者社会地位的高低，而是在一定领域里的成就。我们的研究说明了在成功人士之中存在着大量共同的特征。以下是五条最重要的：
常识。这是被调查者认为的最重要的特质。百分之七十九的人都在这一项中给自己打了一个最高分。并且有百分之六十一的人说掌握常识对促进他们的成功非常重要。更进一步说，常识意味着在处理日常事务中具有明智的行动方式和果断的判断能力。要做到这一点，必须扫除无关的杂念，掌握什么是问题的核心。一位得克萨斯州石油公司的工业大亨这样解释道：“成功的核心能力是使问题简单化。在主持会议以及处理事务中，把复杂的问题变成最简单形式是极其重要的。”具备常识的能力是一种与生俱来的特质还是后天做一些事培养而来的？这位石油大亨回答说常识当然是可以被培养的。他取决于在学校期间学习怎样辩论，另一方面，是通过观察别人来提高你的能力，从别人身上和自己的失败中学习。
熟悉自己的领域。常识之后，某个领域的专业知识是被调查者认同的第二重要的特质，四分之三的被调查者认为自己在这项上可以得A。地质学者菲利普·奥克斯利，是前任天纳克石油勘探和生产公司的总裁，现任天纳克欧洲分公司董事长。他把他的成功归因于一直从事于石油领域。通过“坐在油井上以及勘探挖掘”他学会了第一手交易的窍门。他说：“想要成为好的经理人就要对他生意的小细节有确切的了解。”现在他的薪金已经是六位数了。
工作经验向人们证实了专业知识的重要性。他说“理解我的机器设备为什么这样工作”是他成功法则的一部分。值得注意的一点是，他的专业知识不是通过正规的学校教育而是自学得来。
自信。成功者主要依靠自身的资源和能力。百分之七十七的人都在这一项为自己选择A。自信不是说你怎样认为或者自我感觉有多好，而是说你是否有勇气为生命的梦想采取果断的行动。它包括具有坚定的意志力和具有明确目标的能力。三分之二的被调查者说他们有清晰的人生目标和工作目标。有半数的被调查者都给自己的意志力选择了A。从另一方面说，计划实施后具有自主性和坚持不懈的能力。
智慧。这对取得成功来说是基本的素质，因为它包括你能快速理解困难、问题以及清晰敏锐分析它的内在素养。至少被调查者是这么看待的--百分之四十三的人说这是他们获得成功的重要因素，另外百分之五十二的人认为这一方面确实很重要。
执行力。接近四分之三的成功人士在这一项中给自己选择了“非常有效”。并且他们认为至少有三个重要的能力帮助他们能够做到这一点--组织能力，良好的工作习惯和勤奋。
一位物理学教授这样总结他的成功法则：全身心的努力，坚持不懈的工作，自己的能力。他认为每周至少工作100小时。除了这里列举的五点外，还有其他因素影响着成功：领导力、创造力、人际关系，当然还有运气。但是常识、熟悉专业领域、自信、智力水平和执行力尤为突出。如果你培养了这些特质，你就有机会取得成功。有一天你可能在美国名人录中看到自己的名字。
