Have you ever wondered what separate those who succeed against all odds from those who give up on the pursuit of their dreams?
Naturally, there is this inner quest for success embedded inside every human being. Whether black or white, male or female, this quest for success is deeply engraved in our minds. However, despite this urge to succeed and the limitless abilities in us, a lot of people still hit the wall and give up in their quest for success.
I have always have interest in finding out what drives these individuals who brave all seemingly insurmountable odds and rise above difficulties or misfortunes.
Having gone deep into researches and interviewing some experts, one thing has continued to show up, that it is not that they are lucky or that they are blessed with certain rare talents. But that what set these individuals apart from the majority is certain unique traits that they possess. And these traits control or determine how they think, react, and persevere in the face of obstacles.
The good news for anyone reading this article is that these traits or qualities are not reserved for the lucky few. But, that by applying the right mindset and a bit of practice, every one of us can nurture and develop these limitless traits.
In this article we will look deeply into Seven of these traits.
1. Perseverance
Perseverance is a mindset. It is an attitude possessed by those who refuse to give up in spite of the magnitude of the difficulty they encounter. They possess a never-say-die spirit and they keep going even when the going gets toughest.
To buttress this point. Let me share an experience of a close friend, Chuks. Chuks is an author of a book that has sold over 200, 000 copies. But before the manuscript of the book was accepted by a publisher, chucks’ perseverance was stretched beyond measure.
According him, every night he sat at his cluttered desk, typing words that never felt right. Rejections piled up in his inbox, each rejection a blow to his dream of becoming an author. Yet, every morning, he began again. He rewrote chapters, refined characters hundreds of times after each rejection; studied storytelling with relentless determination. Days turned into weeks. Weeks turned into months. Months turned into years, but Chuks never stopped trying. Finally, a publisher saw Chuks manuscript and it was in line with the vision of the publisher and the book was accepted. The years of doubt, late nights, and perseverance culminated in him holding his first novel. A proof that perseverance was the key to unlocking his literary dream.
He said that there were times when giving up seemed like the easiest option. However, with the help and encouragement by friends and family, he persevered. He believed in his vision and was determined to put in the effort necessary to bring it to fruition.
We can deduce from that story that perseverance is not just about stubbornly moving ahead, but it’s about sustaining your passion and continually staying true to your vision even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
Remember the saying that, it’s not about how many times you fall but how many times you get back up.
2. Resilience
During my research on this topic, there is this common thread I observed in people who succeed against all odds. They possess a resilient spirit.
It has been revealed that resilience is not just about getting back up from failures and rejection but about using these events as leverages; seeing the unfortunate experiences as stepping stones instead of stumbling blocks.
It’s about sustaining, preserving or keeping your drive alive in the face of adversity and hard times.
People who brave all odds have an uncanny capacity to latch unto hope and optimism even when the situation looks hopeless. They rise up after every fall, clean up, take lessons from the experience and continue forging ahead.
I love what Albert bandura, a US psychologist once said, “In order to succeed, people need a sense of self-efficacy, to struggle together with resilience to meet the inevitable obstacle and inequalities of life”.
The resilience trait is important not only for individual success but it also motivates others around them as it generates a cycle of positivism and determination.
3. Adaptability
From my investigation, I discovered that another trait displayed by people who succeed against the odds is an elevated level of adaptability.
Adaptability is defined as the ability to adjust and respond effectively to new, changing and unexpected circumstances. It involves being flexible, open to change and capable of modifying one’s behavior or approach to navigate challenges or opportunities successfully.
People who are adaptable are not just wired to outlive changes, but they thrive amidst changes and challenges. These people perceive changes as avenue for growth and development instead of threat.
In the realm of psychology, adaptability is linked to emotional intelligence. And researchers have noted that emotional intelligence absolutely foretell career adaptability.
Emotional intelligence involves being abreast of one’s emotions and how one’s emotions affect or control one’s thoughts and actions, as well as being aware of other people’s emotions.
From the above definition of adaptability, adaptable people can adjust their thoughts and behaviors according to the prevailing situation at hand.
Finally, adaptable individuals are open-minded, creative and solution-oriented and these traits benefit them immensely.
4. Believing in oneself (self-belief)
Among all the traits discussed here. This trait is the one very close to my heart. I love this one.
Individuals who brave the odds to achieve their goals often possess a deep-seated belief in themselves. They are at home with the fact that obstacles and setbacks are inevitable in life but they also know that they are naturally built with what it takes to trounce or triumph over these challenges.
From my own experience, believing in yourself or self-belief doesn’t mean that you think that you’re perfect or superior to anyone. I believe it’s about recognizing your inner or in-built power and believing in your capacity to learn, relearn, unlearn, grow and ultimately succeed.
5. Humility
I think some people misunderstand the word humility. Humility is not about dimming your light so that others can see. Dimming your light so that others can see is a clear act of entertaining limiting beliefs. Opposed to the prevailing belief among the people, humility is not about downplaying your achievements or staying away from the spotlight. It’s about acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses, embracing learning, recognizing and appreciating the contribution of others in your journey to greatness.
As individuals, embracing humility can help us rise as it plays a vital role in our success in life.
Most people who achieve uncommon or exceptional success know that they don’t have all the answers. They are ever ready to accept feedback and do not allow pride stop them from seeking help when the need arise.
They acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of others and give credit to those who earns it.
6. Goal-oriented
It was Bill Copeland who once said, that “The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend all your life running up and down the field and never score”
Most experts believe that people who succeed against the odds are usually goal-minded. They have carved out a vivid vision of what they want to accomplish and subsequently set concrete and achievable goals to reach there.
Let us be reminded that having goal-oriented mindset is not just about setting targets, but about dividing your ultimate goal into manageable and actionable steps and then assiduously working towards achieving them.
People who succeed against the odds know that an ocean is made by drops of water. That every journey begins with a single step. And so they don’t just dream about their ultimate aim, they always make plans and engage in persistent and consistent action geared towards achieving them.
Another thing is that they acknowledge the importance of celebrating small victories as they journey. They know that every step of the goal they achieve, irrespective of how minute, move them closer to their end goal.
7. Patience
It was Jean-Jacques Rousseau who once said, that “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.
Our society today is replete with people who abhor patience but embrace instant gratification. So in our fast-paced society, patience does not get the credit it deserves.
However, those who succeed against the odds know that real and meaningful success takes time. Real success is not about quick fixes or overnight transformation.
Success is about persistently and consistently taking actions and giving your goals the time they need to be reified.
Let’s illustrate the importance of patience with Kunle’s journey in blogging. Kunle is a passionate blogger. He quickly realized that success in the digital space requires patience. In the early days of his blogging journey, his posts garnered little traffic and his follower count grew slowly. Yet, he remained committed, consistently and persistently sharing valuable contents with his readers. Over time, his patience allowed him to refine his writing, improve his SEO strategy, and build meaningful connections with his audience. Gradually, Kunle saw his blog gain traction, with more comments, share, and collaborations coming his way.
He said that there were times when it felt like he was not making any headway. But at the end of the day, he discovered that success comes to those who are willing to wait for it.
In conclusion, although these traits may come more naturally to some folks, they can be developed by anyone and be strengthened at the long run. Be reminded that when you cultivate these qualities, you too can overcome challenges, be true to your life vision and carve your own path for success.
