Expert Column

There are many definitions of success. Success can be position, power, money, influence, it can also be peace of mind, joy and love. It can be both too. Irrespective of how we define success using both internal and external factors, everyone wants to know what it takes to become successful in life.

Researchers and experts have always been curious to know what makes certain people more successful than the others. Many decades earlier it was believed that IQ i.e., the intelligence quotient was important, that means a person needs to have high level of 'thinking' ability to be successful.

Later studies showed us that IQ was important but it was not at all enough.

Daniel Goleman in his path breaking work influenced the world's thinking and established that EQ i.e., the emotional quotient largely determines a person's success in this world. Simply put, emotional quotient is an individual's capacity to be aware of his or her emotions and their ability to self-regulate these emotions.

Later studies showed that average to above average IQ with good EQ lead to success.

We are witnessing a world today where there is immense competition. We experience adversities on a daily basis in our lives. Economies are volatile, governments are fragile and social systems are becoming week. In this context the concept given by Paul G. Stoltz on AQ - Adversity Quotient becomes very relevant. AQ is the ability of to deal with, overcome and learn from difficulties. Most successful entrepreneurs have high levels of AQ. They are high risk takers and do not fear failure. There is also direct relationship between high AQ and belief in self.

IQ, EQ and good levels of AQ surely are important ingredients to strive in life.

Individuals born in privilege and abundance - the 'children of paradise' as author Lee Hausner calls them suffer from two major diseases - ENTITULUS and INFLUENZA!!

Living a life which is conscious and responsible by itself becomes a challenge and a luxury in this context.

Most individuals suffer because their life styles becomes so all- consuming that they do not spend any energy to discover true meaning and purpose. SQ - spiritual quotient and focusing on developing and nurturing the spiritual quotient is the only way to overcome the crisis that privilege creates.

IQ-EQ-AQ and SQ, all these factors foster overall success in life.