There’s a lot of talk about what you should do to become successful, but I would argue that it’s more about who you are that makes the biggest impact. It’s the decisions we make on a daily basis, the habits we naturally form in our lives that determine the level of success we can achieve. Who we are determines how we react to life, even when we’re not consciously in the act of ‘being successful’.
So here are 10 traits that I’ve seen as essential for obtaining lasting success in any endeavor.
1. An Independent Nature
If we rely too much on those around us for assistance and/or support we will be setting ourselves up for disappointment in the future. This is not to say that we shouldn’t look to others for help when the time is right, but crafting our pursuits in such a way that requires the intervention of another is like handing over the keys and getting in the back seat. Our friends and colleagues may help open the doors of opportunity, but it is our own responsibility to take the wheel.
2. Self Confidence
Every decision we make in life will have some kind of effect on future outcomes. If our choices our filtered through fear and doubt, we can be assured of the life we are trying to avoid. Trust your instincts and listen to your heart. When you make a mistake, don’t look at it as reason for doubt, but instead, realize the opportunity for wisdom as you continue to push ahead.
3. Persistence
It’s been 5 years since I started my consulting business. 5 years of long hours and hard work. Many times did I consider throwing in the towel when things didn’t go my way. But every year that’s gone by, every road block I’ve pushed through, my business has grown as my resolve to make it a success has strengthened. Persistence is not an optional trait for those who desire success, but an essential attitude that must be embraced!
4. A Big Imagination
When I think of some of the greatest ‘achievers’ in American history I see great innovators and people of purpose. Names like Henry Ford, Walt Disney and Bill Gates come to mind. From cars to cartoons to computers, their personalities were as diverse as their pursuits. But one thing they share is the wonderful ability to see what’s not yet visible to the naked eye. It was the imagination of Henry Ford that first painted the picture of a car in every garage, and Bill Gates, a computer in every home. And it was Walt Disney who continues to inspire millions with the idea that ‘anything is possible’.
Those with inevitable success can see the unseen. They’ve become successful in their minds before they laid their first brick.
5. A Thick Skin
I’m a people pleaser at heart and can be devastated by disappointment. But as a necessity in business, I’ve grown a thick skin that allows me to deflect defeat while maintaining my focus. Whether in corporate conflict or the liabilities of life, it is those with a strong armor who will maintain their momentum.
6. Clarity Of Self Understanding
If you don’t know who you are, you will never truly know what you’re capable of. It is in our daily pursuits that we need accurate information on our strengths and weaknesses to succeed. Because being blind sided by your own inability or missing out on your true talents will bring nothing more than failure and frustration.
7. Clarity Of Intent
Continuing with the analogy of Ford, Disney and Gates, we can see three individuals with very clear intentions. No one ever questioned Ford’s intentions of filling the roads with his Model T’s. Disney was never far from his pursuits of capturing our imaginations. And even when no one believed in his dream of populating every home with a PC, there was never a question of Gates greatest goal.
8. Focus
There’s a lot of talk about multi-tasking and single tasking when it comes to getting things done. But however you go about accomplishing your goals, focus must be at the core of your character. Successful people have the knack for deflecting distraction and keeping their nose to the grindstone. It is our drive that pushes us forward and keeps our momentum, but without focus we will just be moving for the sake of motion.
9. Optimism
Many of the traits mentioned thus far would not be possible without this key ingredient. Without being able to constantly see the cup as half full, we would never be able to stay focused. Being blind to that silver lining would paralyze our persistence. So it is absolutely crucial that our minds maintain a positive outlook on life and never give in to the destruction of defeat. Optimism is at the heart of a successful human being!
10. Passion
Success can be obtained by many, but maintaining the drive to reach our goals requires a passion for pursuit and a lust for life. We can create a to-do list and set our goals with the best of them, but without this necessary habitual hunger, we will most certainly fail to bring to the table the results we imagined.
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This guest post was written by Eric Hamm. Eric writes about personal growth at his blog Motivate Thyself. You can subscribe to his RSS feed here.
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Passion propels us forward…
Nice post +_+
Eric,
These are all tremendous points, none more so than the first three. We have to be confident to know we can do what we need to do, persistent to get it done, and independent enough to devise a plan that isn’t imprisoned by established rules. Great post, Eric.
11. Ability to collaborate and unite. Nobody can do it all themselves.
The post was nice, but a week before the election, maybe you shouldn’t be slapping a picture of Senator Obama on top of it. People could debate whether he meets these traits or is successful– plus, it will turn off others to what you might say. Of all the pictures to put up, you chose this one?
Whether or not he is elected I think most people - Democrats and Republicans - would agree Obama is a “successful human being”.
That depends on your definition of successful
Perhaps the image of Obama will inspire others to define “success” for themselves…
Furthermore, the display of the image will not direct a mindful person to the assumption that Obama is, indeed, the definition of success, unless that person already believed that to be true. For that matter, a mindful person would obtain the same usage from this post with or without any images.
A mindless person, however, might come to the conclusion that Obama is successful because of its placement in this post.
Perhaps the audience of this blog is primarily people who have minds of their own? (Sarcasm intended)
On to my initial purpose for commenting today: This would likely be counter-productive in the apparent attempt to drive more traffic to this blog with the use of a “top 10 list” but this list could be reduced to one trait of successful people that enables all other successful traits to ensue: Self-awareness.
My opinion aside, this is a useful and refreshing post. Thanks…
“The unexamined life is not worth living.” ~ Socrates
That “successful human being” is promising to push America towards socialism. How are the rest of supposed to remain optimistic about that?
Good article otherwise. I’ll just copy and paste the article into a Word document.
@axel: Thanks for your input and the kind words.
@Writer Dad: Well said and I’m glad you connected with the post!
@Greg: Great point. Good addition to the list!
@Amy: I had NOTHING to do with the image chosen here. I was shocked when I first looked at it this morning. My post was in NO WAY political and didn’t intend on making it that way. I COMPLETELY agree with you here.
EVERYONE: I did NOT chose this picture and in NO WAY associate with politics in this post.
“Big Imagination” really resonates with me. Often we label people “successful” because they make a lot of money and have nice stuff. For me, this is only good if it is accompanied by a vision of an improved future. It’s also a lot of fun!
As the author of this post I just wanted to make one think clear:
I had nothing to do with the image of Obama and I had no intention on making this post political. So I hope you are able to enjoy my words whether you agree with the picture or not.
Thanks for you kinds words thus far, Eric.
Eric,
I have already contacted you privately to apologize. However, I also want the readers of this article know you’re absolutely right - you had no say in choosing the original picture that accompanied this article. It was a very stupid decision on my part to add a political tone to the article when, as anyone who reads the article will realize, there was no reference to Obama or politics.
I’m sorry Eric, but I disagree with you when you put Bill Gates as an example… surely he’s been successful, but I don’t think someone who has antitrust law violations is admirable. For the same reason that Stanley O’Neal, who was CEO of Merrill Lynch, doesn’t deserve any admiration, even that he’s very rich right now.
Furthermore, the first one who had the idea of a PC in every home was Steve Jobs, not mister Gates
And we can’t forget Steve Wozniak. Jobs couldn’t have done it without Wozniak.
@Dani: I thought the Bill Gates may bring some disagreement. I certainly won’t say you’re wrong about some of his questionable practices. So maybe admiration is not an adjective to use when describing the man, but I think he was a great visionary of technology.
Heck, I’m sure Ford stepped on some people as he made his way to the top.
Betsy pointed out another great example. Many of these people were/are by no means perfect individuals. Some are certainly more admirable than others.
you’re completly right
I would also like to add another characteristic that makes all the difference in the world as far as being successful, and that is being unconditional with yourself (and therefor others). Success isn’t how many cars we have or how much money we have, or even how many people we have helped in our lives. Success is how are you living your life. Are you living what you love? If you are, then you are successful. If you love being a gardener, a teacher, a sewage worker, or a pilot, and you are those things, then you are successful.
I started with the need to be unconditional because that is the key to being able to live what you love. Being unconditional means not judging how you are living your life now, or have lived your life in the past. It means allowing what is in the moment, because that is the only way you can change the future moment. Is to allow what is, and choose differently (you cannot choose success through judgment and fear).
That would be the last characteristic I would add…..
Nice post and generally great traits to have. To me however, success is simply continually living with purpose. If you can do that, the rest of life doesn’t matter so much. All those traits can help one do that though, but purpose just has to be there!
Hi Eric,
I believe that the characteristics of successful people that you written are definitely true.
Cheers
Vincent
Personal Development Blogger
Hi Eric this is a great post! thank you
Cheers
Semmy
http://myselfhelpsolution.com
Passion is the biggest drive of all. When passion is involved you push ahead no matter what.
Hi
Really good post.
Flexibility too…
Juliet
@Michael: Glad you connected with the post.
@Bee: “Are you living what you love? If you are, then you are successful.”
I couldn’t agree more!
@Mike King: Living without purpose is quite a depressing thought. I must agree that this is an essential trait for the others to matter. Good point!
@Vincent: Glad you got something out of the post.
@Semmy: My pleasure!
@Juliet: “Flexibility too…”
Very true! Eric.
Two very powerful things here: clarity of intent, and one that you are missing, meditation.
Clarity of intent or, knowing your desired outcome will direct towards that outcome. Its opposite would be like going on a trip across the country to Boston without a road map. You may go along for a ride, but it doesn’t mean you’ll actually get to your desired destination. The human mind works best when it is following a game plan.
Another very important trait of successful people is their ability to gain clarity, to clear their mind of emotions, information, and anything else that is not relevant to what they are shooting to accomplish. Meditation is the most powerful form of gaining clarity in my opinion. My favorite book of all time for teaching this is John Assaraf’s “The Complete Vision Board Kit.” You can actually download a free chapter from the book here, enjoy!… http://tinyurl.com/56mfen
Eric - that is an awesome list. You could do an entire workshop series off that and I am sure it would be a hit.
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@Ron: You guys keep adding such great 11’s, 12’s and so on! Meditation would certainly be a worthy addition.
@Seamus: Thanks! You’re probably right.
Eric.
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