The Four Key Traits of Highly Successful People
Recently, I was asked to write a Top
10 list about the secrets of success, and I spent time thinking about the most
successful people I've known. There have been a thousand books and tape sets
written about the "Secrets of Success", so the challenge was to see if I could
add something new. I think I have at least found a new way of thinking about
successful people.
When I think about the most successful people I've known, both as clients and as
colleagues or friends, the following key traits stand out.
First, they are insatiable learners, and some have lots of formal education. But
I'm talking about something different. They are incredibly curious. They are
like little kids who never stop asking "Why?" And perhaps more important, they
ask, "Why not?" These people read "Popular Mechanics" and poetry. They take
classes in art appreciation and learn to scuba dive. They buy books on quality
parenting and take broken appliances apart to see how they work. They are
permanent fixtures at their local community colleges, the public library, a
favorite bookstore, and they watch PBS.
Second, they use all this learning to build creative contexts. They see how
things are connected, and they see opportunities in terms of history and popular
trends and new technology. They see ideas in the context of people and they make
connections between ideas, technology, and the needs of individuals. How do they
do this? I'm not exactly sure, but highly successful people can be reading a
novel, which reminds them of a new technology they saw in a magazine, connect it
with an idea they saw on PBS, and call a computer programmer to check out the
new business opportunities, all in less than 30 minutes! They see a broader
context than the rest of us.
Third, they assess risk accurately. Impulsive people under-estimate the level of
risk and rush into foolish ventures with inadequate preparation. Cautious people
have great ideas, but fail to act, often because they over estimate the risk of
failure. Highly successful people seem to evaluate both the chances of success
and the costs of failure accurately and quickly. Because they correctly assess
risk, they experience fewer failures and are not shocked or caught unprepared
when things don't work out they way they hoped.
Finally, extremely successful people respond quickly. They don't over-react,
rarely lose their temper or lose control, and yet they are seen as decisive
leaders, as incredibly creative and energetic people. They don't seem to move
very fast, and yet they accomplish more than most of us. They never rush, and
they rarely hesitate. They respond appropriately and impact or change situations
in the direction they desire. The simply get a lot done and they do it
successfully.
Highly successful people hunger to learn everything, they see connections, they
assess risk accurately, and they respond quickly. Skills I plan to develop!
And one more thing: Successful people enjoy themselves! As I look out my window,
I see the trees are in bloom and my lawn needs mowing. Spring is here! Have a
wonderful week, get outside, stretch your mind and your body, do something nice
for yourself and someone else.
"Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools
and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his
website at: http://www.philiphumbert.com "
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