10 Traits of Successful People
Have you ever asked yourself the question- "Why is it some people are successful in what they do and others are not." Well there is an answer and it is based on using sound success principles. If you want to be successful you have to start acting and thinking as a successful person. All successful people share the same characteristic features:
1. They take 100% responsibility for their life. Normally we tend to explain our successes as our personal achievement and blame all the failures on "external" circumstances that we are beyond our control. This mechanism serves to protect our self-esteem, because it shifts responsibility for a failure away from us. But at the same time it makes us a victim of circumstances, and paralyzes us from changing the situation that we do not like. This is exactly why you will rarely hear a successful person blaming or complaining. What is the point? When it really does not change anything. Taking complete responsibility for your actions and outcomes is the first most important step on the way to success.
2. They have found their life purpose. You can achieve even the most daring goals if you have a burning desire to do so. Motivation is a powerful internal force that keeps pushing us forward towards our goal, no matter what the circumstances are. Without it you will be ready to "throw in the towel" at the sight of the first obstacles. Motivation comes from knowing "WHY" you want to achieve your goal. And what can be a bigger drive than fulfilling your life purpose?
3. They do not let fear hold them back. It does not mean that successful people do not feel insecure, confused or afraid at times. We all do, especially when we have to step out of our "comfort zone". From the "secure" life that you are used to, into the "unknown" life that you have seen only in your imagination. The only difference is that while others expect "guarantees" that they will not fail if they take the next step, successful people do not let their fear limit or control their actions. By facing your fears you will remove inner barriers and will be more willing to take calculated risks.
4. They act on their decisions. Once successful people make a decision they put it immediately in action. There are two ways to check if you have made the right decision: 1. to take action and test it - the fastest and most reliable way; 2. to analyze all pros and cons, ask "experts' " opinion, make a detailed research - time consuming way, that doesn't guarantee that you have come to a right conclusion. Do not over analyze. Just give yourself 30 seconds to make a decision and act on it. By doing so you will never have "what if..." regrets. Keep in mind that any action creates results. And any results are better than no results at all.
5. They set goals. It is amazing, but only 4% of population actually set goals for themselves (it means writing a goal down in complete detail and breaking it down into smaller steps that need to be taken in order to achieve this goal). No wonder most of the 4% are amongst the wealthiest and most successful people in the world. Achieving clarity and certainty about what you want and do not want in life is crucial. If you do not want to observe your life passing by from the sidelines, you have to stop waiting for good luck to find you. Success loves people who consciously and methodically work towards it.
6. They follow their intuition. Intuition has many forms: gut feeling, hunches, flashes of insight, inspiration, impulses, or a small voice which speaks to you, while you are relaxed or asleep. Intuition is your sixth sense and in many cases it is decisions, based on intuition which are more reliable than those based on logic and analysis. This happens because any logical conclusion that we make, is based on and limited by our past experiences, both good and bad. Intuition is independent from our conscious/logical mind. It incorporates vast data that comes from; knowledge, awareness, wisdom and experiences of both conscious and subconscious mind simultaneously. Learn to listen to your intuition and you will always find the best solutions even in most difficult life situations.
7. They have redefined failure. In dictionary term 'failure' is defined as a state or condition of not meeting a desirable or intended objective. In our society, failure is viewed as something entirely negative that one should avoid at all costs. However, the probability of your success largely depends on the number of attempts that you make. The more attempts you make the more times you will fail. It is inevitable. Thomas A. Edison failed multiple times before he invented the light bulb, but when he was asked about it, he replied, "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." Use your failures as a feedback.
Evaluate what does not work and learn from your mistakes,make necessary adjustments, improve, repeat and you will find a way to succeed despite all challenges.
8. They are life-long learners. Successful people are constantly working on educating themselves and improving their skills. They are open to new thoughts, solutions, suggestions, and information. They prefer to listen, ask, observe, read, test rather than think that they already know everything. That is why successful people may not necessarily be more intelligent, talented or brighter than majority, but they always try to find a way to maximize their potential and use their strengths more efficiently.
9. They do things even when they do not feel like it. Usually when we have to complete an unpleasant or time consuming task, we consciously procrastinate even if we know that doing it is important for us in a long run. Waiting for the "right time" or for the "right mood" is not the best way to get things done, as the right moment may never come. Successful people consistently do what needs to get done and try to finish what they start even when the excitement has worn off. Instead of distracting yourself with doing "urgent", but unimportant tasks, concentrate your efforts on the tasks that you know will bring you noticeable benefits and results in the long-run. Try to escape the vicious cycle of stopping and starting new things. Keep in mind that 'staying busy' does not equal 'being productive'. Do not spread yourself too thinly trying to do ten insignificant tasks at the same time. Focus 100% of your thoughts, efforts and actions on just one task and make sure that you get it done, before you move to the next one. This will actually get you to your goal a lot faster and easier.
10. They have a positive attitude and do not seek constant approval of other people. Successful people understand the damaging and limiting effect that negative thinking can have on their life and self-esteem. This is why they try to stay away from 'toxic' people and align themselves with optimistic like-minded people, who they know will support and understand them. To achieve stellar success you need to realize that sometimes you will have to swim against the tide and see an opportunity where others merely see a problem. Prepare yourself that there will always be people who will criticize your decisions, disapprove of your actions and try to bring you down and destroy your self-confidence. Generally these people make everyone else around them feel miserable simply because they unhappy with their own life. Do not judge them too harshly, but do not let them bring negativity in to your life. But most importantly do not be afraid to embrace change and strive for an amazing life rather than spending it on auto-pilot!
Article compliments of Arina Nikitina, Self Help Blog. good
