What Makes Someone Successful?

When I reflect on the people I went to high school with who have become successful, I realize they are such a diverse mix of personalities and abilities. These successful individuals aren’t necessarily the ones I would have predicted to succeed based on their high school personas…but it all makes sense when you dig a bit deeper.

The most successful among them are not the brainiacs, the jocks, or the overachievers. Instead, they are my former classmates who consistently displayed drive, persistence, confidence, optimism, and likeability.

These five traits seem to outweigh any specific talents or academic achievements when it comes to long-term success.

Now, I invite you to think about how you embody these traits and consider ways to nurture and develop them further:

• Drive and persistence can help you push through obstacles.
• Confidence and optimism can keep you motivated and focused.
• Likeability can open doors and create valuable connections.

Embracing and cultivating these characteristics can set the foundation for your own success.