This article appeared a few years ago in Investor’s Business Daily on what makes people successful. IBD spent years analyzing leaders and successful people in all walks of life and put together a list of the ten traits which, when combined, can turn dreams into reality:
- How you think is everything. Always be positive. Think success, not failure. Beware of a negative environment.
- Decide upon your true dreams and goals. Write down your specific goals and develop a plan to reach them.
- Take action. Goals are nothing without action. Don’t be afraid to get started. As Nike says, “Just do it.”
- Never stop learning. Go back to school or read books. Get training and acquire skills.
- Be persistent and work hard. Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Never give up.
- Learn to analyze details. Get all the facts, all the input. Learn from your mistakes.
- Focus your time and money. Don’t let other people or things distract you.
- Don’t be afraid to innovate; be different. Following the herd leads to mediocrity.
- Deal and communicate with people effectively. No person is an island. Learn to understand and motivate others.
- Be honest and dependable. Take responsibility. If you don’t, numbers 1-9 won’t matter!