阅读理解
We live in an age of unprecedented(空前的)opportunity：If you’ve got ambition drive and smarts you can rise to the top of your chosen profession－regardless of where you started out from．But nowadays companies aren’t managing their knowledge workers’ careers．Rather we must each be our own chief executive officer．Only when you operate from a combination of your strengths and self-knowledge can you achieve true and lasting excellence．
To build a life of excellence begin by asking yourself these questions：
“What Are My Strengths?”
To accurately identify your strengths use feedback analysis．Every time you make a key decision write down the outcome you expect．Several months later compare the actual results with your expected results．Look for patterns in what you are seeing：What results are you skilled at generating? What unproductive habits are preventing you from creating the outcomes you desire? In identifying opportunities for improvement don’t waste time developing skill areas where you have little competence．Instead concentrate on and build on your strengths．
“How Do I Work?”
In what ways do you work best? Do you process information most effectively by reading it or by hearing others discuss it? Do you accomplish the most by working with other people or by working alone? Do you perform best while making decisions or while advising others on key matters? Are you in top form when things get stressful or do you function well in a highly predictable environment?
“What Are My Values?”
What are your ethics(道德标准)? What do you see as your most important responsibilities for living a worthy ethical life? Do your organization’s ethics resonate(共鸣)with your own values? If not your career will be likely to be marked by frustration and poor performance．
“Where Do I Belong?”
Consider your strengths preferred work style and values．Based on these qualities what kind of work environment would you fit it best? Find the perfect fit and you’ll transform yourself from a merely acceptable employee into a star performer．
“What Can I Contribute?”
In earlier eras companies told businesspeople what their contribution should be．Today you have choices．To decide how you can best improve your organization’s performance first ask what the situation requires．Based on your strengths work style and values how might you make the greatest contribution to your organization’s efforts?