Exploring the Essential Qualities That Contribute to a Successful Life
1. Introduction to the Concept of Success
Success, as a concept, is not an experiment in observation. It is objective and quantifiable. According to the Financial Dictionary, success means “the achievement of desired visions and planned goals.” The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines success as “the achievement of something desired, planned, or attempted”; “the gaining of fame or prosperity”; and “a person or thing that is successful.”
These definitions indicate a focus on the end goal—that is, the result of success. The act of achieving one’s desired outcome, however, is not often discussed. This lack of discussion is inversely proportional to the ethos of success itself, which drives much of societal ideology and behavior worldwide. It is telling, then, that few people understand how to achieve success when this supposed end goal is the impetus of their working lives.
Nowadays, one must be successful to be happy. Social structures of government, family, and religion are not only supposed to be background frameworks for individual action, but now are also viewed as contributing factors to one’s personal success or failure as a participant in modern society. Universally, the desire for success is inextricably linked to numerous elements of daily life. From economics to career, from politics to leisure, the effort to attain and hold onto a successful position is of utmost importance.
For the most impact in these arenas, one must be perceived as a successful individual and adhere to the defined criteria demanded of that particular group or occupation. Learned skills are often measurable hires as set in between part and full time in the majority of social contracts. Desirable attributes that could be applied to a variety of situations or professional qualifications and king perspectives are also valued. It is important to display emotional intelligence and knowledge. In general, these universal feelings should draw applause.
2. Key Qualities for a Successful Life
While a precise definition of what constitutes a successful life would vary between different people, many would agree that particular core qualities or attributes are essential for this purpose. These qualities can help an individual to create a lifestyle or external conditions that correspond to their life goals and personal ambitions. They use these qualities to carefully select the people who are allowed to influence their lives so that they can avoid negative or unexpected influence. These essential qualities – which may include adaptability, determination, self-esteem, and ambition, among others – will be explored in the subsequent thematic sections. They are the qualities that allow a person to create the life conditions and resources required to fulfill their goals and purpose.
Adaptability and determination, combined with the willingness to move out of one’s comfort zone, are qualities that give people an edge over others. These qualitative assets are the foundation of life and career success. Being consciously responsible for one’s development and highly results-driven are qualities that may reflect themselves in the manner in which people solicit support from others. In response to the concern about how to pull out the hidden human qualities that account for high performance, this paper attempts to unravel some of the vital behavioral indicators of a successful life and make these classics accessible to the broader populace.
3. Cultivating Resilience and Grit
Another essential quality that makes a life successful is resilience. None of us avoid adversity, and the right pursuit of a successful life often depends on overcoming and learning from setbacks and failures. One might think the ability to bounce back after life knocks you down is linked to an optimistic outlook that faces the world with naivete and believes everything will work out. And there is a degree of truth to this; the resilient person remains hopeful even in anticipation of potential trauma – they believe things will be okay, even if they are not sure they will be okay. Yet resilience is also fostered by a very down-to-earth or even pessimistic capacity to be realistic about the need to endure pain from time to time.
In goal-oriented individuals, as the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche argued in the late 19th century, even though it’s impossible to protect yourself against all adversities, you can act so as to reduce their likelihood. While the optimist is focused on how things go, seeing everything as turning out for the best, the resilient person looks only to oneself. While the optimist might assume that everything will turn out fine, the resilient individual won’t think everything will be fine. Psychologists know that with a few exceptions (those with narcissistic personalities), resilience can be learned, strengthened, and cultivated. One example of resilience in action is US war hero Louis Zamperini who overcame 47 days stranded at sea and then Japanese prisoner-of-war camps; coping and caring for other tortured prisoners along the way.
4. Building Strong Interpersonal Relationships
Creating meaningful and tight-knit relationships with others is a fundamental aspect of success. Interpersonal relationships are a core component of personal well-being. Close relationships enable us to have strong emotional and social support, lessening our chances of depression, expanding our resilience in the face of trauma and distress, and enhancing our cognitive abilities. In terms of professional development and career advancement, interpersonal relationships can also impact personal success. Strong work relationships, in particular, can improve work satisfaction, as well as one’s job performance. Not only that, but individuals who have strong social connections are better able to manage stress that comes from working with others. Leaders are no different. Having a strong relationship with your students can impact how they perceive you and help establish assessments of your own leadership.
Everyone’s social lives bring them a different neighborhood of friends and family. However, maintaining a hearty relationship can be done in a few simple ways, as well as not being done in other ways. Here are a few ways to improve those relationships: 1. Connect on a regular basis. 2. Show empathy, support, and understanding. 3. Learn how to apologize and make amends. Admit it if you are incorrect and provide a guided experience on correction. 4. Relax and laugh as you share fun stories and experiences. Fun and jokes can lighten the mood and bring people closer together. A personal joke can make somebody’s day brighter. For example, using a funny image or a printout of a 2D version of a banana peel can be a lighthearted way to bring laughter into the conversation.
