1. Success demands acceptance of who you are.
Successful people won’t radically change their appearance or persona to please others. They avoid the temptation to get caught up in what other people think, because they know the people who matter will accept them as they are.
2. Success demands a warm and inviting nature.
Successful people don’t judge people who think differently than them. They might be firm in their beliefs, but they don’t resort to personal attacks, because they know being a good example is the best way to bring about positive change.
3. Success demands readiness to do things that make you feel uncomfortable.
Successful people aren’t afraid of doing frightening things. They lean into their fears, no matter how much their mind resists, because they know the things that scare them most are often the very same things that lead to breakthroughs.
4. Success demands enthusiastic action in the face of failure.
Successful people won’t let a mistake (or several) diminish their enthusiasm. They look at failure as an unavoidable part of their evolutionary process, because they know a stubborn refusal to quit can take them farther than talent ever will.
5. Success demands self-care, no matter how busy you are.
Successful people aren’t so “busy” that they can’t take care of themselves. They make time for exercise (play) and meal-planning (nourishment), because they know neglecting their health will only make them feel miserable and exhausted.
6. Success demands time away to rest and relax.
Successful people don’t work themselves to death. They are willing to hustle as hard as they need to, but they are also mindful of their breaking point, because they know depriving themselves of fun won’t make them happy or fulfilled.
7. Success demands an ability to bring people together.
Successful people aren’t so close-minded that they can’t befriend people they disagree with. They get tickled at people who obsess with issues that push us apart, because they know concentrating on our common goals will lead to a happier life.
8. Success demands willingness to be brutally honest with yourself.
Successful people don’t get so absorbed in their work that they become arrogant. They actively seek feedback that will make them better at what they do, because they know every new day is another opportunity to learn and grow. Featured photo credit: Ellen Degeneres to Host Oscars in 2014/The Guardian via theguardian.com
