Factors for Success

The most successful persons may not be the smartest ones. According to a survey conducted among a group of people who were in the same college class 10 years ago, those whose grade-point average was in the middle fifty percent, all become rich or managers of different fields, while not a single young man of the upper ten percent becomes an executive or boss. (用实践结果说明聪明并不是成功的唯一因素)

Why the smartest kids in the class will not end up the richest? Why those who are not excellent in studies tend to be managers or own enterprise in their later life? And what factors lead to success in career and life if brains are not the only answer? According to my observation, academic brightness is only part of the story, the other factors are very important. （如果聪明不是唯一因素，那么成功的因素是什么呢? 通过一连串的提问引出看法）

One ingredient, among other things, is good interpersonal skills. There is strong evidence that friendship can help to tide you over a period of difficulty. With a wide circle of friends who can be trusted to provide information and resources, your chances of success are much higher. On the contrary if you are competent in profession, but have difficulty in getting along with your colleagues and even your boss, you can hardly survive the corporation. (其中一个因素是人际关系)

Another component is the ability to express oneself. In today’s world, what really counts is the ability to express oneself rather than technical competence or professional knowledge. The larger the organization of which you are an employee, and the fiercer the competition, the more important it will be that you know how to convey your thoughts and convince others of your ideas. (另一个因素是交际能力)

Personality is also an important factor. Whatever difficulty or situation, those who appear relaxed and confident are nearer to success. Obviously, among the ingredients for success, intelligence counts for the half, the rest depends on your personality, and other abilities. (还有的因素是智力﹑性格，信心等。文章顺势结束，回到开头：智力只是一个因素，不是全部)

闪光点：

1.             首尾呼应：According to my observation, academic brightness is only part of the story, the other factors are very important. –obviously, among the ingredient for success, intelligence counts for the half, the rest depends on your personality, and other abilities

2.             修饰设问句：第二段开头连续三个问句：why …? Why…? And what…?

3.             用词变化：factors-ingredient-component, express oneself-convey your thoughts, brightness-intelligence-smart-brains, ability-competence

4.             词汇亮点：end up, lead to, tide over, provide information and resources, among other things, what really counts, the chances are high