#3. Seemingly Impossible Physical Achievements

Every good Business Student knows that he must be a well-rounded person in order to succeed in life. Being well-rounded is not optional, it is a critical component of the Business Student's professional development.

The easiest way for the Business Student to become well-rounded is to perform a Seemingly Impossible Physical Achievement (SIPA). The most common of these is running a marathon. In six easy months, the Business Student can settle once and for all that he is an ideal physical specimen and a very well-rounded individual. After finishing a marathon, the Student can note this SIPA on his resume and never run another step. The world of recruiters and colleagues who have not accomplished the same SIPA will be forever impressed at the well-roundedness of this Student.

Of course, running a marathon is not the only SIPA that settles the well-roundedness question. Other common SIPAs include climbing mountains (extra points for well-known difficult climbs, especially Everest), competing in triathlons, and earning black belts in various martial arts. The successful Business Student will of course choose a SIPA that has a clear terminal accomplishment that can never be negated or disputed (actually finishing that marathon or earning that black belt).

Prospective Business Students should note that not all physical achievements make one a well-rounded professional, but only Seemingly Impossible ones. For example, playing on a championship team or being on one's undergrad soccer squad does not make one well-rounded. SIPAs are typically individual achievements that may in fact be much less difficult than the effort required to be a member of a sports team. However, athleticism and actual well-roundedness is not the point. Accomplishment is, and the easiest way to appear accomplished is to complete something that sounds difficult and hope that nobody is the wiser.

Some Business Students are so athletically uninclined that even one SIPA is too much to ask. These Students often pursue alternative well-rounded activities. The key thing for these Students to remember is that the alternative must have a clear end goal that will impress others because it seems difficult to achieve. Being an author is not enough, one must have penned a best seller. Being in a band is not enough, but having a Billboard hit record is. This is why most Business Students choose SIPAs to complete their well-roundedness. Running a marathon is much easier than producing a hit record.

Much like pretending to read The Journal, the SIPA is an important factor in becoming a good Business Student, so SBSL recommends investing in companies that support SIPAs (like makers of running shoes and mountain climbing equipment), as these companies will have a significant customer base for years to come.