Clifton Kopp
Life is neither easy nor predictable.
You really never know when a curve ball is headed in your direction. Hence, it’s always wise to equip yourself with the tools to cope with the inescapable challenges of the world.
These traits can be the difference between whether you succeed or fail in life.
Think about it: if you have a tendency to give up whenever there’s a bit of hardship, then don’t expect to make it far.
But if you’re able to get going when the going gets tough, that’s a whole different story.
In this article, I’ll walk you through some of the traits of people who never quit, regardless of adversity.
Once you get the idea, you can gradually incorporate these things into your life.
Let’s get to it!
1) They have resilience
Real talk: most people are easily bogged down by failure, afraid to try again.
When you’re resilient, you use setbacks as a platform to learn and forge ahead, fresh revelations in tow.
You don’t wallow in self-pity or defeat, you don’t make excuses; you move forward with your eyes constantly on the prize.
Sure, you can feel a little discouraged here and there, but you don’t let that feeling define you.
It’s practically second nature for you to gather the strength to bounce back, more resolute than ever.
2) They believe in themselves
When you firmly believe in yourself, self-doubt isn’t really in your constitution. You have a powerful conviction in your abilities and what you can bring to the table.
This isn’t arrogance or conceit, instead, it’s rooted in wisdom and self-awareness that comes from deep within.
Even in the face of doubt or criticism, you’re able to move forward with confidence and your head held high.
Don’t forget, Walt Disney was laughed at by numerous investors before eventually declaring bankruptcy.
The difference with him is, he didn’t let those setbacks dampen his spirit for very long. He stayed true to his vision and ideas despite the countless naysayers.
Disney ultimately used those rejections and failures as stepping stones to create the magical, ubiquitously global entertainment empire it is today.
3) They’re passionate
Here’s the thing: if you’re passive about a task and your heart isn’t really in it, you’re almost always indifferent about the outcome.
There may well be a tinge of disappointment after failing, but it doesn’t really affect you in the long run.
Passion, on the other hand, is a driving force–it’s like diesel for a high-octane engine.
Genuine passion often manifests as a will to keep going and stay centered even during the toughest times.
4) They’re adaptable
If there’s one thing that’s certain in the universe, it’s that change is inevitable.
When you’re resistant to change, always sticking to what you know, then don’t expect to make it far.
If however you embrace and accept change and are able to pivot when necessary, then success is always within your grasp.
Adaptable people are aware that there is always more than one way to reach an outcome; if one way doesn’t work, they’ll regroup and try something else.
The pandemic was a rough time for the restaurant industry. Sadly, many long-standing dining institutions had to close their doors due to Covid’s unforgiving wrath.
I ran a few restaurants at the time. While we weren’t allowed indoor diners for many months, but still to pay rent, I had to use up every ounce of my being to survive.
Like many restaurants, I offered outdoor dining.
But I also took it a few steps further: I hired a few in-house delivery drivers to avoid the massive fees of third-party delivery apps.
I came up with attractive and budget-friendly meal kits solely designated for takeout.
I even created new concepts with fresh menus to maximize existing kitchens.
I still shudder to think about those dreary, locked-down days, but I am proud that through it all, we managed to pull through as a business.
5) They’re persistent
Persistent people don’t often let obstacles deter them. This is a huge deal.
The fact is, many will give in at the first sight of hardship.
They’d rather not be inconvenienced.
The persistent person, however, tends to remain hopeful and positive, viewing challenges as opportunities rather than hindrances.
They know that persisting and eventually succeeding is as a rewarding feeling as any on this planet.
Hence, they’re prepared to persevere for the long haul, celebrating small victories along the way.
6) They have emotional intelligence
When you’re emotionally intelligent, you have a distinct advantage over many.
Why? Because you can recognize and manage your own emotions and those of others.
This doesn’t just help you build enduring relationships, it helps you navigate the unavoidable difficult situations of life.
In the context of not quitting, emotional intelligence represents your ability to cope through it all–you don’t panic, you don’t lose your cool, and you’re able to use things like self-awareness and self-regulation to press on with admirable focus.
7) They have discipline
Disciplined folks know that the truly great things in life don’t come overnight.
They know that committing to their goals means sacrifice, maintaining routines, and prioritizing objectives above all else.
They don’t easily give in to distractions and instant gratification.
For instance, if they have a big exam in a month, they won’t spend the weeks leading up to it partying or mindlessly watching Instagram reels or 90-Day Fiance reruns on the couch.
Instead, they’ll likely be holed up studying, fully intent on passing that exam with flying colors.
They have enough perception to realize that giving in to distractions will not benefit their quest for achievement.
8) They value their support systems
No man (or woman) is an island.
While you can try going at your challenges alone, having camaraderie and support along the way has such profound value.
Realize that there’s no shame in getting support. In fact, people with support systems are able to go through ordeals with far greater ease than their solo counterparts.
We’re only human, we often need that external encouragement, motivation, and guidance to take us to the next level.
Last night, I watched a Netflix documentary called The Trapped 13, which documents the harrowing story of a boys’ soccer team that spent weeks stranded deep inside a cave in Northern Thailand.
It’s a riveting tale. So if you haven’t seen it yet, I strongly recommend it.
In the end (spoiler alert!), all thirteen of the boys miraculously survived, despite having no food, and even less hope, for nearly two weeks.
They credit their survival to the camaraderie they honed as a unit during their time in the cave: laughing, lifting each other’s spirits, and even encouraging each other to meditate during those trauma-filled days and nights.
If one person had to go through that nightmare all alone, would they survive? That’s a matter of opinion.
But the fact remains: having a support system made the process a whole lot easier for those resilient young boys.
Final thoughts
The problem in today’s world is that many people are not willing to keep going once they encounter a hurdle.
They give up instead of fighting and pressing on.
Well, I’m here to tell you that this mindset needs to be tossed in the bin.
Once you make the shift, and become a person who doesn’t readily surrender in the face of adversity, you’ll never look back.
The great news is, it’s never too late to develop these traits.
Remember, you’re just a few traits away from realizing your best self, and a certified badass at that.
Regardless of the odds, you’ll be ready and willing to try again.
