Linda Carter - What I Need 2 Succeed: From A to Z for Teens

what i need SUCCEED

FROM A TO Z FOR TEENS

LINDA CARTER

with illustrations by Tina Cargile

New York

what i need SUCCEED

FROM A TO Z FOR TEENS

2017 Linda Carter.

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To my children and grandchildren, youve given me tremendous joy and you are the reasons Im putting my thoughts into print.

To my husband, a chapter in this book should be dedicated to you because you truly are a success storyin business, with your family, and in life.

To my husbands sisters from whom Ive learned much.

In memory of my mother, who had a quote for every occasion.

And, to the MacVicar Clan,
Lang may yer lum reek.
(May you live long and happily.)

Table of Contents

Foreword

Most of us have used a GPS on our phone or in our car. By following its directions, we reach our destination. Well, this book is a teens GPS for success and a better life.

You are now getting ready for the big show that is adulthood! Just as a GPS is a system of nearly 30 satellites that guarantee you will get where you are going, What I Need 2 Succeed is a system of 26 character traits that will lead you on a road to a purposeful and successful career.

Take my word; these elements will guide you to a rewarding life. It is not a cure for the ups and downs and detours you will face on the way, but it will act as a road map that will allow you to overcome most obstacles. Why do I believe this? Because I have used every one of them in my life time and have firsthand experience with what it takes to be successful.

Who am I? Well, I grew up on a farm in Missouri, a farm boy that learned the hard way. I was in the military during World War II and The Korean War and achieved the rank of Major in the United States Marine Corp Reserve. After serving my country, I graduated from college and joined Mobil Oil Corporation (before it became Exxon Mobil) in petroleum marketing for a career of 36 years in various management positions. I was a very successful Field Manager for them and was responsible for the most successful major retail acquisitions in the history of Mobil. Ive been working in the petroleum business for 65 years, now as a consultant. It has been a great career. I consider myself successful in life and in business because I lived by the principles you will learn about by reading this book.

While with Mobil, I was manager for all of Florida and Georgia, and worked with over 1,000 people. I can tell you those with good character traits were the 100 plus that I promoted to higher positions. Take time now to think about your educational progress thus far. Sure, youve learned the basicsthe 3 Rs of Reading, wRiting, and aRithmatic. Lets go beyond that and learn what it takes to be a success.

For me, the most important traits a person can have are the 3 Ts of Trustworthiness, honesTy, and a good aTtitude because without these three, nothing else will work. Having lived 93 years, I can tell you that life goes by very quickly. Live a valued life and make the most of every minute.

You want to succeed, you want to enjoy life, and you want a good adult life. Take these principles into your heart and mind and live by them. The dividends they pay in your life will be well worth the effort.

John R. Moreland, Major

Ret. USMCR

Ret. District Manager, Mobil Oil Co.

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Born June 22, 1923

Preface

When high school students walked through the door of my classroom on the first day of school, I always wondered what was going on in their minds. Were they thinking of school or something else? Occasionally, I would find out what tremendous problems they were actually going through. Sometimes I would see them after they graduated, and their transformations were amazing! Thats when I realized that these teenagers, with all their insecurities, can and will not only survive, but thrive, provided they are given the tools to do so. That, in a nutshell, is the purpose of this book.

Lets face it, teenage years are tough. Its a time of physical, mental, and emotional growth. They have many choices to make from deciding how their friends will influence them to what they will become as distinct adults. While teen years are exciting and fun, they can also be filled with uncertainty and fear. As teenage days yield to young-adulthood, paths must be chosen. They will soon face a fork in the road where they must choose between Dead-End Avenue or Success Street?

Why do some young adults emerge from the turbulent teenage years as winners while others appear destined not to succeed? What separates the two? The answer lies in the character traits of the individual. This book will help open teens and young adults minds to becoming more aware of their own character traits, skills, and talents so that they can explore careers that suit them. In this book the reader will see how personal challenges, problems, and difficulties can actually lead a person in the direction of Success Street.

The chapters of WIN 2 Succeed highlight famous people; there is something to learn from each of them. Sure, weve all read about their inventions, their writings, and their leadership skills; but what you will learn in this book are the hurdles theyve overcome. In many instances, it was a small, seemingly insignificant event that put them on the road to success. They had failures, but at least they were trying! Their secret was not to rest on the failure but to get up and try again! Most of these famous individuals started life just like us, but they had perseverance and the willingness to work hard. That alone is what made them stand out.