Success from Coursera

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: Launching Your Personal Search for Success

This module is designed to help you define success for yourself through exploring the hidden beliefs you hold about success. You'll learn the three truths of success, and the role of culture and family in defining success. You'll also participate in the "Six Lives" exercise, which will guide you to deeper questions of your beliefs about success, as well as how those beliefs compare to others. By the end of this module you'll be able to assess yourself, your values, and your images of what success means. As a result, you can begin to adapt the tools that will work for you to achieve whatever your definition of success is.

Week 2: How to Think About Success on Your Own Terms

In this module, you'll learn how to think about success on your own terms. You'll explore ways of looking inside yourself, and into your past, to find the values and capabilities that you have determined for your personal success. You'll identify your "four diamonds" - the capabilities you have in your own heart and soul to develop the inner and outer success that will be most satisfying to you. You'll learn the two habits that successful people share, as well as the four different ways you can renew your success values. By the end of this module you'll have a deep understanding of what success is for you on your terms, and how to sustain and renew your beliefs in the face of challenges.

Week 3: Diving Deeper: What Research Tells Us About Achievement and Happiness

This module was created to give you an overview of the science of success so that you can use that knowledge to begin exploring the relationship between success and happiness. You'll learn the four traps of achievement, as well as the four reasons to worry about achievement-based success. Finally, you'll examine the question of whether or not success equals happiness. By the end of this module you'll be able to differentiate between success that is based on achievements, which can be unsatisfying, and success based on other metrics, that can bring deep satisfaction to your life.

Week 4: Putting it Together: Charting Your Path to the Future

In this module, you'll begin putting together everything you have learned about yourself and about success so that you can chart your own path to the future. You'll learn how to use the achievement-happiness matrix to assess your current state, how to determine your current motivations, how to discover what work is meaningful to you (and whether or not you are employed doing it), and how happiness and success are measured differently. You'll conclude this module, and the course, by creating a personal theory of success which you will share with your classmates in peer review. There, you'll have the opportunity to see other theories of success, which may spark some additional exploration of your own. By the end of this module you'll have articulated a personalized theory and vision of success that you can use to create more happiness for you yourself.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the core questions and issues that arise when contemplating the path to a successful life

Led by a Wharton Professor who is recognized for his expertise and award-winning work in the topic of success

Offers assessments and exercises to help learners probe the past and envision the future

Informs learners about the latest scientific research on success and self-fulfillment

Reviews historical and contemporary examples of successful individuals across different domains

Provides opportunities for peer review and discussion to enhance personal and collective learning

Reviews summary

Success: what it means to you

Learners say this course will redefine what success means to them and empower them to define personal success and create a plan to achieve it. It provides a framework and tools to help you understand your concept of success. The course includes lectures, readings, exercises, and peer feedback to help you reflect on your values, motivations, and strengths. The engaging and thought-provoking content is delivered by Professor Richard Shell, a Wharton School professor who shares his own personal experiences and insights on success.

The course discusses the importance of leaving a legacy and making a difference in the world.

"I have a great opportunity to learn, get and give more success attributes and values to people on the job I am currently working on."

"The lessons in the second module directs one to dig deeper into understanding how our values get formed due to various external influences and what capabilities we have developed as our strengths."

The course encourages mindfulness and being present in the moment.

" deep happiness comes when you're not chasing it - much like how a butterfly will land on you if you sit still."

"It is in the Outliers book by Malcolm Gladwell that I first understood the fact that Success is not a self-made achievement but is influenced by various factors like luck, opportunities, external influences such as Family, culture, society etc."

The course guides you in developing your own personal success theory.

"By the end of the course, I was able to give my personal definition of success and practical steps I am taking to achieve it."

"This course was fantastic! I would say this course is a kind of soul searching course which let you to have a more clear understanding for yourself."

The course stresses the importance of work-life balance and finding success in both your personal and professional life.

"What greatly impacted me is on how to add value to my existing government job I am currently working so that it can become a meaningful job."

"Thought-provoking, reflective, and insightful, I think the Success course provides helpful terms and a framework for understanding your concept of success and how to define it moving forward."

The course highlights the importance of understanding your values and motivations.

"What is success? It is a question that we may not ask ourselves very often and we may not have a clear answer."

"The course goes deep into examining various aspects of yourself to find the true meaning/theory of what success means to you personally"

The course emphasizes self-reflection and introspection.

"I learned a lot about myself - past, present, future - and how my friends think of me."

"The Legacy Exercise and hearing about his own progress made me feel better that I wasn't the only one that felt lost in life."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Success with these activities:

Brush up on personal values identification

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Taking a moment before taking this course to reflect on your personal values and principles will help you develop a deeper understanding of what success means to you on your own terms.

Browse courses on Personal Values

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Engage in deep reflection about what truly matters most to you in life.
Brainstorm a comprehensive list of words or short phrases that encapsulate your values.
Consider how these values have shaped your past decisions and experiences.

Craft a personalized definition of success

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Articulating your own unique definition of success will serve as a powerful guide throughout this course and beyond, helping you make choices aligned with your values and aspirations.

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Reflect on your past experiences and identify moments when you felt a deep sense of fulfillment and satisfaction.
Consider your core values and how they influence your definition of success.
Write a concise and meaningful statement that encapsulates your personal definition of success.

Organize your notes and resources

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Keeping your notes and resources organized will enhance your ability to revisit and reinforce key concepts throughout the course and beyond.

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Create a dedicated folder or notebook to store all course materials.
Develop a system for categorizing and labeling your notes.
Regularly review and summarize your notes to improve retention.

Six other activities

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Read a biography of an inspiring individual

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Delving into the life story of an inspiring individual can provide valuable lessons and insights on overcoming challenges and achieving success.

View The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin (U. S.... on Amazon

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Select a biography of an individual whose values and accomplishments resonate with you.
Read the book and take notes on the person's journey and strategies for success.
Reflect on how the individual's experiences and principles can inspire your own growth.

Explore the science of happiness

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Delving into research-backed insights on happiness will provide valuable context for understanding the complex relationship between success and well-being.

View How to Make a Shark Smile: How a Positive... on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes on key concepts related to happiness and success.
Summarize the author's main arguments and findings.
Reflect on how the book's insights resonate with your own experiences and beliefs.

Engage in self-reflection exercises

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Regular self-reflection will help you gain a deeper understanding of your strengths, values, and aspirations, which are crucial for defining and achieving success on your own terms.

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Set aside time for regular journaling or meditation to reflect on your thoughts and feelings.
Use online self-assessment tools or questionnaires to gain insights into your personality and values.
Seek feedback from trusted friends or family members to gain external perspectives.

Attend workshops or events on success and personal development

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Participating in workshops or events focused on success and personal development can provide valuable networking opportunities and exposure to diverse perspectives.

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Research and identify workshops or events that align with your interests.
Register and attend the events.
Actively engage with speakers and other attendees to expand your network.

Create a personal success plan

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Developing a personalized success plan will provide a roadmap for achieving your goals and living a fulfilling life aligned with your values.

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Identify your top priorities and goals based on your definition of success.
Break down your goals into smaller, manageable steps.
Create a timeline for achieving your goals and track your progress.
Seek support and accountability from a mentor or coach.

Explore open source projects related to personal growth and success

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Engaging with open source projects centered around personal growth and success can provide practical insights and inspiration.

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Search for open source projects on platforms like GitHub or GitLab that align with your interests.
Review the project descriptions and identify areas where you can contribute.
Reach out to the project maintainers and express your interest in collaborating.

Career center

Learners who complete Success will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Career Counselor

Career Counselors help people find careers that are a good fit for their skills and interests. This course can help Career Counselors by providing them with a deeper understanding of what success means to different people. This can help them better advise their clients on how to achieve their career goals.

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Life Coach

Life Coaches help people achieve their personal goals. This course can help Life Coaches by providing them with a deeper understanding of what success means to different people. This can help them better support their clients in achieving their goals.

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Business Consultant

Business Consultants help businesses improve their performance. This course can help Business Consultants by providing them with a framework for thinking about success. This can help them better advise their clients on how to achieve their business goals.

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Recruiter

Recruiters find and hire new employees for organizations. This course can help Recruiters by providing them with a deeper understanding of what success means to different people. This can help them better identify and attract top talent.

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Human Resources Manager

Human Resources Managers oversee the human resources department of an organization. This course can help Human Resources Managers by providing them with a framework for thinking about success. This can help them better manage their employees and create a more successful workplace.

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Teacher

Teachers help students learn and grow. This course can help Teachers by providing them with a framework for thinking about success. This can help them better motivate their students and create a more successful learning environment.

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Social Worker

Social Workers help people overcome challenges and achieve their goals. This course can help Social Workers by providing them with a deeper understanding of what success means to different people. This can help them better support their clients in achieving their goals.

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Politician

Politicians represent the interests of their constituents and make decisions that affect the lives of their communities. This course can help Politicians by providing them with a framework for thinking about success. This can help them better understand the needs of their constituents and make decisions that will benefit their communities.

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Nonprofit Manager

Nonprofit Managers oversee the operations of nonprofit organizations. This course can help Nonprofit Managers by providing them with a framework for thinking about success. This can help them better manage their organizations and achieve their mission.

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Sales Manager

Sales Managers oversee the sales department of an organization. This course can help Sales Managers by providing them with a framework for thinking about success. This can help them better motivate their sales team and achieve their sales goals.

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Entrepreneur

Entrepreneurs start and run their own businesses. This course can help Entrepreneurs by providing them with a framework for thinking about success. This can help them better understand the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship and make decisions that will lead to success.

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Marketing Manager

Marketing Managers oversee the marketing department of an organization. This course can help Marketing Managers by providing them with a framework for thinking about success. This can help them better understand their customers and develop marketing campaigns that will achieve their marketing goals.

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Financial Analyst

Financial Analysts provide financial advice to individuals and organizations. This course may be useful to Financial Analysts by providing them with a framework for thinking about success. This can help them better understand the financial markets and make decisions that will benefit their clients.

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Operations Manager

Operations Managers oversee the operations of an organization. This course may be useful to Operations Managers by providing them with a framework for thinking about success. This can help them better manage their operations and achieve their operational goals.

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Project Manager

Project Managers oversee the planning and execution of projects. This course may be useful to Project Managers by providing them with a framework for thinking about success. This can help them better manage their projects and achieve their project goals.

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