Have you ever known someone who is “driven” by a strong motivation or focus to succeed? I usually think about this as a characteristic shared by a few men I have known, but I have also experienced hard driving women as well. Perhaps you are one of these people. Often you see these alpha males and females in high level managerial positions, as successful entrepreneurs or small business owners. Ever wish you were one? I have.

Here are some of the characteristics that Gordon MacDonald in his book Ordering Your Private World lists to describe the driven man or woman:

• Most often gratified their by accomplishments
• Preoccupied with symbols of accomplishment
• Caught in an uncontrolled pursuit of expansion
• Limited regard toward integrity
• Not likely to hone people skills
• Tendency to be highly competitive
• Often possess a volcanic force of anger
• Usually abnormally busy, are adverse to play
• Often avoids spiritual things

Do you know this person? Are YOU this person? How would you describe balance in this person’s life? Next time we will contrast the driven man or woman with one who is “called” to a task or profession.