In a previous column, I started my writing off with the words, “Strive to be extraordinary.” It’s been said that “the diference between ordinary and extraordinary is simply a little extra.” Too many people talk a good game, think a good game, and sit back and let the world pass them by. It’s the extraordinary person who is never satisfiedand is constantly striving for yet another conquest.
I started doing some deep-dive thinking about individuals who have clearly made their mark in their respective fields and who are respected as undisputed success stories. I read about Microsoft’s Bill Gates… about
Disney’s Robert Iger… about the iconic basketball player, NIKE’s Michael Jordan… television’s Ryan Seacrest… hotelier Bill Marriott… environmentalist and cable news mogul Ted Turner… and others and came up with some commonly shared traits worthy of your reading, learning and ideally adapting for your own quest for success.
Comptetiveness
One common trait in successful people is their focus on “winning.”
They aren’t ruthless in their quest but they are innately competitive. They focus on a successful “end game,” work hard and play hard with their defined goal in mind. Walt Disney wrote, “I have been up against tough competition all my life. I wouldn’t know how to get along without it.”
Accountability
Successful people readily accept and in some instances, embrace, being graded and measured for their work. Scorecards are important to success people. They become a black-and-white record of effort, victories, failures and help define course correction and future endeavors. Coupling accountability with responsibiity makes for great measurement.
Pride
Successful people are generally proud of their accomplishments, proud of their organizations, proud of their teams and proud of productivity. They typically commend colleagues, team members and co-workers for their hand in the success and exhibit humility when sharing success.
Loyalty
Successful people hold their organizations, teams and co-workers as incredibly important and exert time and effort in support of those who mean a lot to them. This sense of loyalty to team is pervasive amongst successful people. My colleague, the late General Colin Powell, once shared, “I don’t like to give up on people when they need someone not to give up on them.”
Mental Toughness
Successful people set their mind to a task and will not let anyone or anything or any situation steer them from the specific undertaking at hand. They understand setbacks, even failures, are part of the game of business and life and they work hard to recover quickly. I remember hearing my friend Ted Turner once say, “A bend in the road is not the end of the road.”
Coachability
It’s notable that highly successful people embrace continuous education, feedback, counsel and coaching. I’m reminded of an article I read about the iconic, legendary Duke University basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski (“Coach K”). He indicated that he makes it his business to attend four (4) coaching clinics annually… not as a panelist or speaker… but as an audience attendee. He, obviously, was “coachable.”
Patience
Although highly successful people are goal-oriented, driven and focused, a common trait they share… ironically enough… is patience. Even though a “Type A,” goal-focused individual craves movement, patience helps reduce stress, overcome challenges, gives them time to reflect (and take a much-needed deep breath). Living in an intense, fast-paced world and business environment where speed and execution are vital, successful people have found great benefits to being patient.
Routines and Rituals
Successful people, just like dedicated athletes, musicians and artists develop a model for their days and their work. Whether it’s getting up the same time each new work day… or going through the same regimen of muscular stretching… or spending time meditating… or eating the same, or similar, breakfast each morning… successful people typically are committed to a routine.
Realistic Goal–Setting
Although successful people develop aspirational objectives and “to do” lists and what has been called “stretch objectives” (challenging goals outside one’s comfort zone), they are often purposefully realistic about each new task they take. Realistic goal-setting prevents disappontment and typiocaly moves one to achievement and success.
Enjoyment
My late friend, baseball Hall of Famer Manager Tommy Lasorda, once said, “Find something you love to do and you’ll never work a day in your life.” How true! Mick Jagger loves singing and entertaining. He enjoys his work. Pablo Picasso often shared how much he loved painting and sculpting. He enjoyed his work. Robin Roberts (ABC’s “Good Morning America”) has talked about how much she loves interviewing interesting people and showcasing talent. She enjoys her work. Life is too short to spend your time doing things you don’t enjoy… and that enjoyment will typically lead to success.
Successful entrepreneur John Paul DeJoria (entrepreneur, philanthropist, self-made billionaire, founder of Paul Mitchell Hair Products, founder of Patron spirits) said, “The biggest hurdle is rejection. Any business you start, be ready for it. The difference between successful people and unsuccessful people is the successful people do all the things the unsuccessful people don’t want to do. When 10 doors are slammed in your face, energetically go to door number 11 enthusiasically, with a smile on your face.”
In closing, success is not final. Failure is not fatal. It is the courage to continue that counts. Learning from the patterns of successful people is a start. Best wishes for your success!
Ira Blumenthal is a business consultant, a Georgia resident, a best-selling author, a globally renowned public speaker, a university educator and a college Lacrosse coach. Ira welcomes inquiries and can be reached at Ira@Iraspeak.com. His web site is www.IraSpeak.com
