The Four Key Traits of Highly Successful People

Recently, I was asked to write a Top 10 list about the secrets of success, and I spent time thinking about the most successful people I've known. There have been a thousand books and tape sets written about the "Secrets of Success", so the challenge was to see if I could add something new. I think I have at least found a new way of thinking about successful people.

When I think about the most successful people I've known, both as clients and as colleagues or friends, the following key traits stand out.

First, they are insatiable learners, and some have lots of formal education. But I'm talking about something different. They are incredibly curious. They are like little kids who never stop asking "Why?" And perhaps more important, they ask, "Why not?" These people read "Popular Mechanics" and poetry. They take classes in art appreciation and learn to scuba dive. They buy books on quality parenting and take broken appliances apart to see how they work. They are permanent fixtures at their local community colleges, the public library, a favorite bookstore, and they watch PBS.

Second, they use all this learning to build creative contexts. They see how things are connected, and they see opportunities in terms of history and popular trends and new technology. They see ideas in the context of people and they make connections between ideas, technology, and the needs of individuals. How do they do this? I'm not exactly sure, but highly successful people can be reading a novel, which reminds them of a new technology they saw in a magazine, connect it with an idea they saw on PBS, and call a computer programmer to check out the new business opportunities, all in less than 30 minutes! They see a broader context than the rest of us.

Third, they assess risk accurately. Impulsive people under-estimate the level of risk and rush into foolish ventures with inadequate preparation. Cautious people have great ideas, but fail to act, often because they over-estimate the risk of failure. Highly successful people seem to evaluate both the chances of success and the costs of failure accurately and quickly. Because they correctly assess risk, they experience fewer failures and are not shocked or caught unprepared when things don't work out they way they hoped.

Finally, extremely successful people respond quickly. They don't over-react, rarely lose their temper or lose control, and yet they are seen as decisive leaders, as incredibly creative and energetic people. They don't seem to move very fast, and yet they accomplish more than most of us. They never rush, and they rarely hesitate. They respond appropriately and impact or change situations in the direction they desire. The simply get a lot done and they do it successfully.

Highly successful people hunger to learn everything, they see connections, they assess risk accurately, and they respond quickly. Skills I plan to develop!

And one more thing: Successful people enjoy themselves! As I look out my window, I see the trees are in bloom and my lawn needs mowing. Spring is here! Have a wonderful week, get outside, stretch your mind and your body, do something nice for yourself and someone else.

© Copyright 2003 by Philip E. Humbert. All Rights Reserved. This article may be copied and used in your own newsletter or on your website as long as you include the following information: "Written by Dr. Philip E. Humbert, writer, speaker and success coach. Dr. Humbert has over 300 free articles, tools and resources for your success, including a great newsletter! It's all on his website at: http://www.philiphumbert.com

---

The S.W.P.D. Recipe for Success

A wonderful quote by author and scholar William A. Ward... Read More

Achieve the Success You Want: 7 Reasons Why People Dont

Change is one of the biggest concepts facing today's society.... Read More

Being a Winner - Ten Tips for Success

Have you ever thought about how you want to live,... Read More

Finding Your Purpose

What is success? As author and speaker Earl Nightingale said,... Read More

Three Keys to Greatness

Ten years ago I went into the studio and recorded... Read More

How to Have an Amazingly Satisfying Year

I started taking stock of my year in 2002. I... Read More

Three Things You Must Know to Attract Success

Everyone wants success.Some people spend their every waking moment pursuing... Read More

Don?t Stop Asking So Many Questions

A few weeks ago I took my boy on a... Read More

Success: Beware The Arrival Syndrome

There is a saying that goes something like this: Getting... Read More

How To Acheive Your Full Potential

If you want to make more of your talents -... Read More

How The Right Questions Can Change Your Life

Your own pressing needs, your long-standing frustrations, would benefit tremendously... Read More

The Failure Misconception

Most dictionary entries would define failure as the simple lack... Read More

Top 10 Traits of Highly Successful People - That You Can Learn!

We have all read about people who are successful briefly.... Read More

What is Optimum Performance?

What is Optimum Performance? This question raises different responses from... Read More

A Gold Medal in Love

Five-time gold medal-winning figure skater, Jenny Kilmer, has won the... Read More

Making a Favourable First Impression -- Seven Quick Tips

There's always a first time to meeting people. We want... Read More

The Other F Word - How Failure Can Be The Key To Your Success

Thomas Edison has done it. Naomi Watts often jokes about... Read More

Create A Realistic Plan For Your Success

Success is the most desired ambition of the human beings.... Read More

The Ultimate Formula for Success

Why is true success so rare?Why does research show that... Read More

Identity Theft - Defining Who We Are

Identity theft!We've all seen them. The commercials use the voices... Read More

Is Success About Money?

Success could be just about making money, but I think... Read More

Awaken to Something New in Your Life: Conscious Change

What do we want most from life? Certainly, we all... Read More

You are the President of Your Own Nation

Congratulations! You are the president of your own nation, and... Read More

A Vision for Success

Do you know that there is a formula for attaining... Read More

Reach Your Goals - Have A Pitch Party

Have a "Pitch Party" Invite friends and work together to... Read More

Still Mourning That Business Failure!

No one wants to fail. But when in business you... Read More

Harness Mind Chatter and Make it Work for You!

"When you talk to yourself, you listen. No matter what... Read More

Success In An Ever Changing World?

Well, it's that time of the year again. No, I... Read More

Super Success ?- Reach Out and Take It

This is a little primer on how to start, survive... Read More

IF and WHEN

IF and WHEN were friends. Every week they met and... Read More

The 5-Minute Success Strategy - Transform Your Behavior Easily and Painlessly

Recently, I coached a young woman whom I'll call Mary... Read More

STOP Trying Harder

You've been searching for self improvement or personal development. Trying... Read More

Innovation Management ? Measuring Failure

Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More