Striving for Greatness

Statistically speaking, you are unlikely to achieve above average success on accident.  Here is a short list of things that seem like common qualities in people who achieve greatness. If you have qualities you’d like to see added to the list, please leave a comment at the bottom of the page.

• Embrace Failure – The lives of the greatest successful people would often seem like horrible failures if you remove their one or two biggest achievements.  Successful people often fail.  While they aren’t intentionally trying to fail, they see it as a path to success. Failure is part of the learning process and is seen as a necessary step toward success.
• Right Place, Right Time – Most great people were in the right place at the right time. While this wasn’t the only factor that contributed to their success, it is important.  Churchill, Lincoln, and Alexander the Great were all in a place where they could be successful. Don’t be afraid to move yourself into places where there are more opportunities.
• Understand Statistics – One in five new businesses fail. Success in business is often the reward of the person who is willing to try 5 or 6 times. If you give up too quickly, you lower the chances of success.
• Long Term View – Most successful people take a long-term view of life. While they are concerned about their progress today and their progress this week, they constantly think about how it fits into their overall vision and lifetime goals.  This helps keep them focused on things of value instead of trivia.

That is a very short list of some of the qualities I’ve noticed in successful people.  What are the qualities you notice in people who are successful?

Originally published on December 17, 2006.