12 Habits That Set Ultra Successful People Apart
Ultra successful people delight themselves by blowing their
personal goals out of the water. They succeed along many different dimensions
of life—their friendships, their physical and mental health, their families,
and their jobs (which they are not only good at but also enjoy).
Talent Smart has
conducted research with more than a million people, and we’ve found that ultra-successful
people have a lot in common. In particular, 90% of them are skilled at managing
their emotions in order to stay focused, calm, and productive.
These
super successful folks have high emotional intelligence (EQ), a quality that’s
critical to achieving your dreams.
While
I’ve run across numerous effective strategies that ultra-successful people
employ to reach their goals, what follows are twelve of the best. Some of these
may seem obvious, but the real challenge lies in recognizing when you need to
use them and having the wherewithal to actually do so.
1. They’re Composed
Ultra
successful people are composed because they constantly monitor their emotions,
they understand them, and they use this knowledge in the moment to react to
challenging situations with self-control. When things go downhill, they are
persistently calm and frustratingly content (frustrating to those who aren’t,
at least). They know that no matter how good or bad things get, everything
changes with time. All they can do is adapt and adjust to stay happy and in
control.
2. They’re Knowledgeable
Super
successful people know more than others do because they’re constantly working
to increase their self-awareness. They vow constant growth. Whenever they have
a spare moment, they fill it with self-education. They don’t do this because
it’s “the right thing to do”; they do it because it’s their passion. They’re
always looking for opportunities to improve and new things to learn about
themselves and the world around them. Instead of succumbing to their fear of
looking stupid, truly exceptional people just ask the questions on their mind,
because they would rather learn something new than appear smart.
3. They’re Deliberate
Ultra
successful people reach decisions by thinking things out, seeking advice from
others, and sleeping on it. They know that (as studies show) impulsively
relying too much on gut-instinct is ineffective and misleading. Being able to
slow down and logically think things through makes all the difference.
4. They Speak with Certainty
It’s rare
to hear super successful people utter things like “Um,” “I’m not sure,” and “I
think.” Successful people speak assertively because they know that it’s
difficult to get people to listen to you if you can’t deliver your ideas with
conviction.
5. They Use Positive Body
Language
Becoming
cognizant of your gestures, expressions, and tone of voice (and making certain
they’re positive) draws people to you like ants to a picnic. Using an
enthusiastic tone, uncrossing your arms, maintaining eye contact, and leaning
towards the person who’s speaking are all forms of positive body language that
super successful people use to draw others in. Positive body language makes all
the difference in a conversation because how you say something can be more
important than what you say.
6. They Leave a Strong First
Impression
Research
shows that most people decide whether or not they like you within the first
seven seconds of meeting you. They then spend the rest of the conversation
internally justifying their initial reaction. This may sound terrifying, but by
knowing this, you can take advantage of it to make huge gains in how people
respond to you. First impressions are tied intimately to positive body
language. A strong posture, a firm handshake, a smile, and open shoulders help
ensure that your first impression is a good one.
7. They Seek Out Small
Victories
Successful
people like to challenge themselves and compete, even when their efforts yield
only small victories. Small victories build new androgen receptors in the areas
of the brain responsible for reward and motivation. The increase in androgen
receptors increases the influence of testosterone, which further increases
their confidence and eagerness to tackle future challenges. When you achieve a
series of small victories, the boost in your confidence can last for months.
8. They’re Fearless
Fear is nothing more than a
lingering emotion that’s fueled by your imagination. Danger
is real. It’s the uncomfortable rush of adrenaline you get when
you almost step in front of a bus. Fear is a choice. Exceptional people know
this better than anyone does, so they flip fear on its head. Instead of letting
fear take over, they are addicted to the euphoric feeling they get from
conquering their fears.
9. They’re Graceful
Graceful people are the
perfect combination of strong and gentle. They don’t resort to intimidation,
anger, or manipulation to get a point across because their gentle, self-assured
nature gets the job done. The word gentle often
carries a negative connotation (especially in the workplace), but in reality,
it’s the gentleness of being graceful that gives ultra-successful people their
power. They’re approachable, likeable, and easy to get along with—all qualities
that make people highly amenable to their ideas.
10. They’re Honest
Super
successful people trust that honesty and integrity, though painful at times,
always work out for the best in the long run. They know that honesty allows for
genuine connections with people in a way that dishonesty can’t and that lying
always comes back to bite you in the end. In fact, a Notre Dame study showed
that people who often lied experienced more mental health problems than their
more honest counterparts.
11. They’re Grateful
Ultra
successful people know that it took a lot of ambition, passion, and hard work
to get where they are in life. They also know that their mentors, colleagues,
families, and friends all played a huge role in their success. Instead of
basking in the glory of achievement, super successful people recognize others
for the wonderful things they’ve done for them.
12. They’re Appreciative
Truly
exceptional people are able to achieve so much because they know the importance
of slowing down and appreciating everything they already have. They know that a
huge amount of their positivity, grit, and motivation comes from their ability
to stay grounded and appreciate the opportunities that life has given them thus
far.
Bringing It All Together
These
habits can make any of us more successful if we use them every day. Give them a
try and see where they take you.
What other habits set ultra-successful
people apart? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below as I
learn just as much from you as you do from me.
No comments:
Post a Comment