Tara Whitmore
Success isn’t just about grinding away or chasing every opportunity—it’s about how you approach the journey.
You can work yourself to the bone and still feel like something’s missing.
The real key to success lies in your mindset, your habits, and the deeper traits that shape who you are.
Psychologists have identified 7 critical traits of successful people that go far beyond intelligence and technical know-how —and they’re not what you might think.
Let’s explore these traits that could unlock your full potential. Some might surprise you, and others might change the way you think about success altogether.
1) Embrace failure
Wait, what? Embrace failure? But isn’t success the opposite of failure?
Well, not exactly.
Psychologists suggest that the ability to embrace failure is actually a critical trait for success. It sounds counterintuitive, doesn’t it?
Here’s why it’s crucial.
Failure, as unpleasant as it may seem, can be an incredible learning opportunity. It allows us to:
- Identify our mistakes
- Understand where we went wrong
- Figure out how to improve
Imagine if you never failed at anything. Would you truly grow?
Next time you stumble, don’t shy away. Instead, embrace it. Learn from it. And see how it paves your unique path towards success.
2) Cultivate resilience
Now here’s a personal anecdote.
I remember my first job out of college. I was ecstatic, ready to conquer the world. But boy, was I in for a bumpy ride.
Within the first few weeks, I found myself struggling to keep up with the workload, the long hours, and the high expectations. I felt like throwing in the towel.
But guess what?
I didn’t. Instead, I picked myself up, dusted off my insecurities and decided to be resilient. I worked on:
- Improving my skills
- Managing my time better
- Learning from my more experienced colleagues.
And that’s precisely what psychologists suggest as a key trait for success – resilience.
Resilience is our ability to bounce back from adversities or challenges. It’s what keeps us moving forward despite the odds.
And believe me, it can make all the difference between giving up and becoming successful.
3) Practice gratitude
Here’s something unexpected.
Gratitude.
Not the first thing that pops up in your mind when you’re thinking about success, right?
Yet, it’s a game changer.
Practicing gratitude daily has a profound impact on our mental well-being. It shifts our focus from what we lack to what we have, creating a sense of contentment and happiness.
But how does this tie into success?
Well, gratitude helps us appreciate our journey and the progress we’ve made, rather than being consumed by the end goal.
It fosters positivity and resilience – remember that one? – making us better equipped to handle challenges that come our way.
I’ve been doing this for years now. Every night before I sleep, I jot down three things I’m grateful for.
And let me tell you, it’s transformed not just my outlook towards life but also my path to success.
4) Develop emotional intelligence
Now, this one might catch you off guard – emotional intelligence.
Honestly, it’s not something that’s discussed enough in the context of success. But psychologists are increasingly recognizing its significance.
Emotional intelligence refers to our ability to understand, manage, and effectively express our own feelings, as well as to navigate and respond to the emotions of others.
Why does this matter?
Well, success isn’t a solitary journey. It involves interacting with others – be it your colleagues, partners, clients, or even competitors.
And being emotionally intelligent can enhance these interactions, foster positive relationships, and ultimately contribute to your success.
It’s something I’ve been consciously working on myself. It’s not always easy, but the payoff – better relationships and improved understanding of myself and others – has been well worth the effort.
5) Nurture curiosity
Did you know that the most successful innovators in history, like Albert Einstein and Steve Jobs, were notably curious individuals?
Curiosity, that insatiable desire to learn and understand, is a potent trait often found in highly successful people. It fuels creativity, innovation, and personal growth.
When you’re curious, you’re open to new experiences. You ask questions. You explore. You learn. And all these actions lead to fresh ideas and insights that could potentially be your ticket to success.
In my own journey, staying curious has led me to unexpected opportunities and learnings that I would have missed otherwise.
So keep that curiosity alive. Ask more. Learn more. It may just lead you to places you’ve never imagined!
6) Show compassion
Compassion. It’s a trait that’s often associated with saints and healers, not necessarily successful people, right?
But showing compassion isn’t just about being kind to others. It’s about:
- Understanding their feelings
- Acknowledging their struggles
- Offering support
And it’s a trait that can profoundly impact your journey to success.
How so?
Well, in a world where everyone is striving to get ahead, a little compassion can go a long way in building strong, genuine relationships.
And these relationships can open doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and growth.
Showing compassion has not only helped me connect with people on a deeper level but also shaped me as a person and leader.
Because success isn’t just about what you achieve; it’s also about how you touch the lives of others along the way.
7) Prioritize self-care
Self-care is crucial for success.
We’re talking about taking time for yourself, ensuring you’re physically healthy, mentally at peace, and emotionally balanced. This involves:
- Setting boundaries
- Saying ‘no’ when needed
- Making sure you’re not burning out
Why is this important?
Well, neglecting self-care impacts your well-being in many ways. When you haven’t been making time for yourself everything else becomes a struggle:
- Your productivity drops
- Your creativity dwindles
- Your resilience weakens
In short, you can’t be at your best if you’re not taking care of yourself.
Final thoughts
Success isn’t about following a specific formula—it’s about cultivating the right traits that enable you to navigate challenges, connect with others, and continually grow.
The 7 traits we’ve explored aren’t just “nice-to-haves” for the successful—they’re the foundational qualities that help you thrive, no matter where you are on your journey.
Now that you know what to focus on, it’s time to start cultivating these traits in your own life.
Start by observing your own behaviors and mindsets.
Do you embrace failure or run from it? Are you nurturing your curiosity, or simply going through the motions? How often do you practice gratitude or show compassion?
