I recently learned the story of a man, who by all accounts would be considered to be successful. He’s done some amazing things in his life that are nothing short of incredible. As I learned more about his background and his life I became more and more amazed. As I looked at his life, I wondered how he was able to overcome things in his life that would have crushed others. From a very young age, all the way through to his adult years he was faced with unbelievable adversity. Things that no human should have to go through. 

This has really had me thinking. Why is it that a boy can go through abuse and punishment every day of his life and still develop into a strong and confident man. While at the same time, someone who has every opportunity in the world handed to them never becomes successful?

As I’ve spent time thinking about this and analyzing different situations, I’ve found a few key characteristics that I believe can help anyone be more successful.

The mind is such a powerful tool for good or bad. Once we can understand and control our mind, our world expands. As we search for ways to be successful in life, we have to start in our mind.

Our first challenge is to recognize that not all physical and mental limitations are real. Too many people believe their own lies or the lies of others. They throw in the towel way too soon.  

Develop a Can-Do Attitude

A person with a can-do attitude faces adversity with confidence. They look at it for what it is, a challenge that they have to overcome to get to where they want to be. They are focused on achieving a goal and something that gets in their way isn’t going to stop them. 

Mindset matters. Having a can-do attitude is a state of mind. When we expect progress and feel optimistic, challenges can be seen as opportunities and stress can be motivating. When you do get down and discouraged, it’s easier to get back up and find the positive. 

Your life is created in your mind before it’s manifested in reality. Whether you have a can-do or can’t-do attitude, you’ll be right.

Start With The First Step

Consistency builds momentum, but it all starts with the first step. 

Take the first step in the direction of your goal. When you get knocked down and discouraged and you don’t want to go any further, take the next step. Great success often starts with small beginnings, but you have to start somewhere.

For you, it might mean getting up an hour early to exercise. Maybe it’s making your bed in the morning or reading for 30 minutes a day. Whatever it is, take that first step and do it. But don’t quit. Do it again the next day, and the next, and the next…

Do it until you get to the point that if you don’t do it, your day will be ruined because you missed it. That’s when you’re ready to take the next step.

Become Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

I recently listened to an interview with John Calipari, University of Kentucky basketball coach. He said in order for his players to be the best that they can be, his job as a coach is to make them comfortable being uncomfortable. His job is not to coach them at the level they are at now. His job is to coach them where they need to be and where they are capable of being. This means they will be where they have not been before and they are going to be uncomfortable at times. The situations where they struggle and feel pain, where they are taken to their limits is where they truly learn about themselves and become the best that they can be.

Make them comfortable being uncomfortable.

John Calipari

To reach our goals and be successful, we need to do the same thing. We need to become comfortable being uncomfortable. Step out of your comfort zone on a regular basis. The more often you do it, the stronger you’ll become for when you are faced with adversity.

Hold Yourself Accountable Every Single Day

What is it that you need to do today? What is it that will take you closer to your bigger future? How will you make sure that you do it, no matter what?

Get out of the habit of making excuses for yourself. Holding yourself accountable means you’ll do it, end of story. Don’t allow yourself to have excuses. What we allow becomes acceptable. So as soon as you justify why you didn’t do something, you’ve set a standard and it will be that much easier to justify it again the next time. 

Hold yourself accountable and don’t accept excuses!

There are a number of different characteristics and habits that will help you to be successful. But if you can master these four, you’ll be well on your way to an amazing life!

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