Adrian Volenik
When we talk about success, let’s not fool ourselves. We can talk about family, friends, being good and kind, etc.
But having a great career or owning a business, living in a nice home, having two luxury cars, and so on is what people imagine when they think of a successful person.
It’s also true that for many people, even you, success looks like a pipedream. Something that’s almost impossible to achieve.
Nevertheless, I’m here to tell you that your path to success is closer than you think. But only if you have most of the following qualities:
1) Grit
First of all, almost no one achieves success without grit. It’s a combination of passion and perseverance for long-term goals.
It’s the determination to keep going, even when you face considerable challenges or setbacks.
Gritty people have a strong sense of purpose and are willing to put in the effort required to achieve their ambitions.
They go above and beyond to fulfill their dreams. They’re willing to do what others won’t. If that means putting in countless hours, then so be it.
Now, I’m not saying that’s the way to do it or even to live life because I strongly believe in a work-life balance. It’s not a lifestyle that’s suitable for everyone.
But determination isn’t just about setting goals. It’s about the daily grind and the willingness to keep pushing even when the initial excitement fades.
You’ll also need a lot of patience, which is something many people don’t have anymore.
2) Patience
If you understand that true success often takes years or even decades to achieve, you’re already one step closer to it than most.
It’s important to stay committed to your goals over the long haul, even when results aren’t immediate.
Many studies reveal that most people become millionaires later in life, which sounds natural because you simply have more time to accumulate wealth.
For example, according to the Ramsey Solutions study, the average age of millionaires is 49 years old. That means you need to earn, save, and invest almost 30 years to get rich.
So buckle up. It’s a looong ride!
3) Resourcefulness
To achieve a great deal of success, you often need to be resourceful. Resourcefulness is the capacity to find clever solutions using the resources at your disposal.
Naturally, some people have more resources, while others have fewer or even none. If that’s the case, you need to think outside the box and make the most of what’s available to you.
It’s often when your back is pressed against the wall, and you have nowhere to go, that you have to start overcoming obstacles and adapt to various situations effectively.
Some people become complacent when they’re comfortable and cushy, and others thrive in those situations.
Conversely, others do their best work when they’re under pressure and with their back against the wall. They’re mentally tough.
4) Mental toughness
If you have mental toughness, you can stay focused, confident, and resilient in high-pressure or challenging situations.
You manage stress, maintain composure, and perform at your best when it matters most.
That’s why mental toughness is a valuable asset in both personal and professional ambitions.
When faced with setbacks or failures, bounce back by analyzing what went wrong, learning from your mistakes, and adapting your approach. Resilience is about getting back up each time you fall.
5) Focus
When gunning for success, people typically juggle many things. But those who can stay focused on one thing and one thing only, like their startup, career, investing, etc., often achieve success the fastest.
Focus means channeling your energy and attention into one task at a time. It’s the opposite of scattering your efforts across multiple things. A strong focus also dramatically enhances productivity and quality of work.
You also get better at what you’re doing, which makes you confident.
6) Confidence
People with confidence strongly believe in their abilities and judgments. They have the inner assurance that empowers them to take calculated risks and face challenges head-on.
But confidence also influences how others perceive and respond to you. It can make a difference between finding an investor for your business or not.
If you’re confident, you might jump on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Whereas others will find excuses not to do it.
Muhammad Ali, Steve Jobs, J.K. Rowling, Michael Jordan, Mahatma Gandhi, Adele, and many other famous and successful people wouldn’t be known if they didn’t believe in themselves (and worked incredibly hard!).
But these people also took some incredible risks in their lifetime.
7) Risk-taking
Taking calculated risks is oftentimes key to achieving success. If you’re willing to step outside your comfort zone and embrace uncertainty, you’re closer to success than you think.
You see, successful people often assess the potential rewards and drawbacks of a situation and make informed decisions. Even if there’s a chance of failure.
It’s about finding the right balance between caution and boldness. After all, many huge companies were founded in some parent’s garage by college dropouts.
8) Financial know-how
It’s incredible how most people know so little about money and finance. We should all learn and know how to budget, save, invest, and manage our finances effectively.
This skill is vital for achieving financial stability and making informed decisions about money.
So, if you took the time to learn how money works, how to leverage debt, not go into bad debt, use credit cards properly, and have more assets than liabilities, your path to success is closer than you think.
9) Problem-solving skills
Another ability that separates you from others is problem-solving skills. This simply means you know how to analyze complex issues, identify potential solutions, and implement the best course of action.
Strong problem solvers are critical thinkers who approach challenges methodically. They’re engineers and visionaries all in one person.
If you have this ability, you’ll never be searching for a job or project. People and companies will seek you out and hire you or take you on board.
It’s really a shame that schools aren’t focused more on developing problem-solving skills and critical thinking. Instead, they focus on students repeating facts.
They also don’t teach us this:
10) Communication skills
People who are effective communicators have the ability to express themselves clearly and listen actively.
Communication skills are a cornerstone of successful interactions in personal relationships, teamwork, or negotiation.
Public speaking is a step above. It’s the skill of effectively communicating your ideas to an audience.
It goes beyond just speaking confidently and involves structuring your message, engaging your audience, and bringing your points across persuasively.
If you fear public speaking but want to be successful, you need to work on that pronto.
11) Networking
Good networking skills open doors to opportunities, provide support during tough times, and help you learn from people with diverse perspectives.
When you lose a job or want to change a career, a network you built up over the years will come flocking to hire you, help you find direction, or recommend you to their employers.
It’s also easier to find mentors in people you already have a connection with. And if you’re willing to uplift others, you can find worthy people more easily.
12) Adventurous spirit
Yes, many boring routes lead to success. They’re also the best ones. But there’s also a case for adventurers and thrill-seekers.
When you have an adventurous spirit, you’re willing to explore new opportunities and embrace the unknown.
It’s all about seeking out novel experiences, taking on challenges, and continuously expanding your horizons.
That’s why an adventurous attitude can result in outstanding personal growth, creativity, and a richer life.
Just look at the founder of the Virgin Group, Richard Branson, who took risks in industries ranging from music to airlines and space travel, building a diverse empire of successful businesses.
13) Self-awareness
The last quality you need to have to succeed is to be self-aware. You need to comprehend your own strengths, weaknesses, emotions, and motivations.
It involves introspection and reflection, allowing you to make informed decisions and improve your personal and professional relationships.
Without self-awareness, you could stay unaware of your weaknesses and areas that need improvement, impeding your ability to evolve and learn.
Final thoughts
Although success may seem incredibly far away to you right now, if you have many of these qualities and abilities, you’re on the right path.
And remember, there’s no ideal route to success. You need to carve out your own path!
