People who are really successful usually display these 9 patterns of behavior

Generally, you don’t just become a success story by chance. 

Most people who have achieved anything of genuine value in this life are deeply attuned to this. 

They know that to truly make it in this world, effort is always a prerequisite. 

I hate to break it to you, but that get-rich-quick scheme on Instagram you saw the other day? 

It’s not real. 

If you want to be successful, you need to have the right approach. 

In this article, I’ll take you through the common behaviors of people who have achieved true success in life. 

Once you get a clearer idea of things, you can begin making the appropriate shifts. 

Let’s get to it! 

1) They have a strategic vision 

Successful people don’t often just wing it when it comes to achieving goals. 

They approach things systematically, having a clear, strategic vision for what they want to accomplish. 

This vision serves as a guide for their decisions, something they can refer to periodically to track progress and help them focus on long-term goals rather than get caught up in trivialities.

Let’s say you’re on the hunt for funding for your business. 

Do you think you’ll get a legit investor by just giving them a brief spiel? No, you won’t. 

Nobody has wowed Warren Buffet solely by yapping. 

To close the deal, you’ll need to methodically present your strategic vision of the business, detailing potential strengths and selling points. 

2) They’re decisive

Successful people are decisive

They don’t overthink to excess, clouding their judgment to an unnecessary level. 

Successful people tend to gather the information they need, weigh their options quickly (but not rashly), and then execute a firm decision. 

They don’t often second guess and get sidetracked.

Once a conclusion has been decided upon, they commit to it and keep moving forward. 

3) They’re focused on their priorities 

Dilly-dallying isn’t often on the successful person’s agenda

They know what tasks are important and urgent, and hone in on these critical activities. 

They don’t get caught up in micromanaging, or getting distracted by petty matters. 

Instead, they constantly see the bigger picture: that to do an effective job and make meaningful progress, they need to focus on what counts the most and brush aside everything else. 

4) They aren’t afraid to take risks

Contrary to what some of you may think, successful people aren’t risk averse. 

They don’t always play it safe. 

Remember, no empire was built without some element of risk-taking involved

Successful people know that to truly separate themselves from the crowd, taking calculated risks, and stepping out of their comfort zones are non-negotiables. 

They know that failure will always be in the cards, yet the prospect of it doesn’t deter them; quite the opposite. 

They have a firm understanding that failure is a part of life’s learning process, and they use setbacks and shortcomings as opportunities for growth. 

I was at a lunch meeting the other day where I became acquainted with an accomplished businessman

He said something that stood out to me: “All truly successful people in this world need to fail at least twice in their life before hitting it big.” 

Once you understand that failure is an inevitable part of life, you’ll start taking it in stride; not as a discouraging prospect but as an opportunity to bounce back stronger than ever. 

5) They’re effective communicators 

Here’s the thing: the most successful people I’ve come across in my life aren’t robotic, timid folks who just do as they’re told. 

Successful people tend to have almost built-in leadership qualities about them. 

They’re so passionate about what they pursue that they become adept at conveying these ideas and persuading others, even if that’s not their natural temperament. 

They’ve done their homework and can thus communicate their visions effectively, with plenty of vigor, which inspires trust and motivation among others. 

6) They have high emotional intelligence

A key quality of being successful is the ability to effectively deal with people–a pursuit that takes a high level of emotional intelligence

I know people who run companies that collectively have horrible morale. Why? 

Because they treat their employees like dirt, creating a deeply flawed company culture. 

Successful people know that their attitude can trickle down to others. 

Hence, they actively manage their emotions and seek to understand the emotions of others. 

They develop the people skills for navigating complex social situations and building high-functioning teams. 

You’d be surprised how far the simple act of being kind and thoughtful can take you in this world. 

7) They’re adept at networking 

Speaking of dealing with other people, successful folks understand that no man (or woman) is an island. 

They know that to maximize their potential and advance themselves in their chosen fields, building a strong network and seeking the appropriate collaborations are exceptionally important. 

They have the humility and respect to realize that they cannot do it all. 

They are well aware that there are certain areas where other people can step in and fill the void far more competently.  

8) They’re adaptable and innovative 

Think of the most successful companies in the world. Have a few in mind? 

Well, chances are, these companies remain relevant partly because they continually embrace adaptability and innovation

After all, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that one of the certainties of the universe is that change is inevitable. 

I know people with limitless potential and skill but refuse to adapt, to “learn new tricks,” stubbornly clinging to outdated ways of doing things. 

Invariably, they get left behind. 

It doesn’t have to be that way. And successful people know it. 

Adapting to changing circumstances and innovations is a crucial part of thriving.

So if you want to be successful, you should always be on the lookout for new, more efficient ways to improve and adapt. 

It’ll pay off, I assure you. 

9) They value self-care and balance 

Success isn’t just about how many cars you own, or how many digits you have in your bank account. 

The most successful people in the world prioritize having a balanced life. 

They know that the relentless grind ultimately will not bring them true fulfillment in the long run. 

Therefore, for them, self-care is a non-negotiable. 

They recognize and appreciate the importance of keeping their physical, emotional, and mental well-being in tip-top shape. 

Not only does self-care improve longevity and overall vitality, but having a healthy work-life balance will also enhance productivity and creativity considerably.

Final words 

If you want to be successful, you can start by making a few lifestyle adjustments. 

I know, it can sound like a lot, so don’t overwhelm yourself. 

Take it a day at a time. Celebrate your victories, both big and small. 

By the looks of it, the fact that you’re reading this now means you’ve made the promising first steps: having the desire to be successful and realizing that getting there will take some effort. 

Most of us are capable of being successful, and you’re certainly no different. 

But having potential is nothing without putting the work in. 

So keep moving forward. 

Eventually, you’ll get to where you want to be–and soon, there will be no stopping you. 

Ethan Sterling

Ethan Sterling has a background in entrepreneurship, having started and managed several small businesses. His journey through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship provides him with practical insights into personal resilience, strategic thinking, and the value of persistence. Ethan’s articles offer real-world advice for those looking to grow personally and professionally.

If you want to be respected in life, say goodbye to these self-sabotaging behaviors

8 signs someone is secretly feeling guilty, according to psychology