{"id":12564,"date":"2013-02-24T22:48:32","date_gmt":"2013-02-25T06:48:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=12564"},"modified":"2015-07-02T20:52:39","modified_gmt":"2015-07-03T04:52:39","slug":"10-character-traits-of-elite-achievers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/10-character-traits-of-elite-achievers\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Character Traits Of Elite Achievers"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If you have ever worked really hard toward reaching a goal only to get average results, you know how horrible it feels. And to rub salt in the wound, there are usually a few elite achievers who seemingly work no harder than you who absolutely crush that same goal. It\u2019s frustrating, confusing, and a blow to your ego. I get it.<\/p>\n

And you know what? You\u2019re right \u2013 those elite achievers probably aren\u2019t working any harder than you<\/a>. The difference is that elite achievers have figured out the right things to work hard at. Bear with me here.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s all too easy to get bogged down in over-planning, procrastination, and self-doubt. These things are time and energy suckers. You can literally waste days, weeks, and months on these types of unproductive behaviors \u2013 and not realize it until it\u2019s too late.<\/p>\n

While the average spend time and effort on unproductive tasks, elite achievers spend their time on tasks that move them toward their goals.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s good news, though. Elite achievers don\u2019t have a secret weapon or some sort of productivity pill. They\u2019ve just developed certain character traits that make it easier to crush their goals.<\/p>\n

That means you could be just one or two small adjustments away from joining the ranks of the elite achievers.<\/p>\n

Join The Ranks<\/strong><\/p>\n

After decades in sales management, I have observed that all elite achievers share certain character traits. Adopt these ten traits of elite achievers. Put them to work \u2013 and watch your goals become much more attainable.<\/p>\n

1. Spend Your Time on Implementation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Busy work isn\u2019t always effective work. Don\u2019t confuse the two. Average people spend their time and energy coming up with, rehashing, and discussing ideas. Elite achievers are\u00a0motivated <\/a>to spend their time on implementation<\/em> of ideas. They know that while ideas are the seeds of results, in and of themselves, they are just ideas until they\u2019re acted upon. A brilliant idea unexecuted is worthless. Results come from action.<\/p>\n

2. Have Several Back-Up Plans.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Waiting for the perfect plan or tool is insanity. \u201cPerfect\u201d never shows up. Successful people always have a back-up plan\u2026or two\u2026or three. The elite achievers are ready for the unexpected and can roll with the punches when the unexpected occurs.<\/p>\n

3. Create Opportunities<\/strong><\/p>\n

As the rest of the world waits, hopes, and wishes for opportunity \u2013 elite achievers know that real opportunity is created. Elite achievers reach out to others, spread the word, and step up to the plate. They create opportunity by letting the world know who they are, what they do, and how they can help. And when they create an opportunity, they fully take advantage of it.<\/p>\n

4. Dislike, But Tolerate Failure.<\/strong><\/p>\n

While the masses tend to sit back and stew over their plan because there is a chance they could fail and look stupid, elite achievers forge ahead. They know that while failure certainly sucks, it\u2019s not fatal. And each time they fail, they get a little smarter. Elite achievers understand that the small risk of temporarily looking stupid is outweighed by the possibility of real, permanent success.<\/p>\n

5. Become \u201cStrong Like Bull\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n

Elite achievers are tough. We all want people to like us \u2013 but guess what? No matter what you do, no matter how wonderful you are \u2013 someone is going to dislike you. Elite achievers understand this. Recently I had someone badmouth my writing because I began a post with the word \u201cso.\u201d Guess how much sleep I lost over that one? (none) The elite achievers know they will occasionally fail, that people are going to dislike them sometimes, and that it will hurt a little. By constantly striving for improvement and expecting a little pain along the way, they know that it hurts much less.<\/p>\n

6. Find Out For Yourself \u2013 Don\u2019t Listen To The Herd<\/strong><\/p>\n

The mediocre crowd has a tendency to believe conventional assumptions about: Themselves, their industry, their product, and their potential. Elite achievers take the time to find out for themselves. They do research, they think outside the box, they consult trusted advisors. Elite achievers couldn\u2019t care less what the nay-sayers think, because they\u2019ve done the legwork.<\/p>\n

7. Give Selflessly<\/strong><\/p>\n

This one may come as a surprise, but truly elite achievers are actually pretty selfless people. They leave \u201cgreedy\u201d and \u201cselfish\u201d for the bottom feeders. The elite give their time and knowledge generously because it\u2019s the right thing to do\u2026and because it demonstrates integrity, sincerity, and credibility. Winners give.<\/p>\n

8. Develop Ego Strength<\/strong><\/p>\n

The elite don\u2019t second guess their decisions. When they have a good plan, they do their research so they can have\u00a0full confidence<\/a> in going after their goals full-tilt. They ignore the less evolved who tell them that they can\u2019t do it. Elite achievers ignore negative people and remain confident in their plan.<\/p>\n

9. Form A Brain Trust With Other Elite Achievers<\/strong><\/p>\n

Elite achievers know that regardless of how smart and hard-working they are, they can\u2019t possibly catch every little detail. This is why they seek the company of other achievers. They regularly consult their brain trust, ask for their input, and take their advice. They find people whose opinions they can trust and stay in contact regularly to hash through their successes, failures, and obstacles.<\/p>\n

10. Keep Going Until You Get There.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The average person throws in the towel when they run into obstacles \u2013 and that\u2019s a shame. Elite achievers know that obstacles just indicate a closer proximity to success. If they fail, elite achievers just tweak their plan and go after their goal again and again until they reach it. There is only one direction: Forward.<\/p>\n

Spend some time with this list. I\u2019ll bet you can identify one or more areas that might be slowing you down and affecting your productivity. Begin replacing some of those bad, time-wasting habits with their more productive counterparts and start becoming an elite achiever.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What about you?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Which of those time wasters are you most guilty of?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Which of the 10 characteristics of elite achievers are you best at?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Share your thoughts, tips, and stories in the comments!<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gary Korisko (@RebootAuthentic<\/a>) writes about business strategy, market creation, and integrity selling on his blog<\/em> Reboot Authentic<\/em><\/a>. His eBook,<\/em> How To Alienate All The Right People<\/em><\/a>, is a real-world guide to breaking away from the herd and doing something special.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

If you have ever worked really hard toward reaching a goal only to get average results, you know how horrible it feels. And to rub salt in the wound, there are usually a few elite achievers who seemingly work no harder than you who absolutely crush that same goal. It\u2019s frustrating, confusing, and a blow to your ego. I get it. Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12163,"featured_media":12568,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[9,6,31],"tags":[4653,4434,4641,318,4631,66,54,4629,4640,4435,1270,1419],"yoast_head":"\n10 Character Traits Of Elite Achievers<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Elite achievers don\u2019t have a secret weapon or some sort of productivity pill. 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