Last Updated on September 20, 2024
No matter where someone is in life, odds are high that they are trying to be successful. No reasonable person chases failure. Whether at work, at home, or at school, everyone seeks to be the best version of themselves. There must be things successful people do in order to be their best selves.
So, how do you become a successful person? Perhaps a better question would be: how do successful people think and act? Here are 8 things that successful people and employees do to make their minds and actions correspond with their goal of greatness:
8 Things Successful People (& Employees) Do
1. They don’t play it safe
Success rarely follows those who always play it on the safe side. This isn’t to suggest that you should recklessly gamble away all your money, become an adrenaline junkie, or live on the edge in some other way. These examples refer to a different type of risk. To find success, you must avoid playing it safe and take actions that will directly influence and propel your success. Those who play it safe are those who live so prudently that they fail to ever leave their comfort zone. Those who remain in their comfort zone will likely enjoy a nice and simple life but will be unable to achieve the remarkable success that others do.
To be successful you need to be willing to take risks, put yourself out there, and totally commit to everything you do. Any boss loves an employee who is committed to the work that they do. Why? Commitment leads to results. Those who 100% commit themselves to all that they do are fueled by their desire to succeed and that often allows them to work harder than ever before.
2. They are always working towards success
In every aspect of their life, a successful person strives to achieve excellence. The most accomplished individuals are those who always find ways to fill their time with productive activities. They are not simply busy, but they are busy in worthwhile endeavors that help them progress as an individual. They don’t fill their time with recreation or pleasure. Instead, they are always thinking, planning, and working towards their ultimate goal of success.
3. They go above and beyond & they don’t wait to do it
The most successful people in life are the ones who can do the extra work without being asked to. Proactive people are those who do not wait around for someone to tell them what to do. They are leaders, not followers. To accomplish great things, you need to be willing to put in the extra time and work without being given a clear to-do list.
4. They don’t get distracted by the crowds
Following the status quo is the way to continue being like everyone else. Successful people are not like everyone else! They carve their own paths in life and are always thinking how they can best work towards the goals they have set for themselves.
5. They set goals with the end in mind
Successful people are driven by intelligent goals. Many wonder how to measure success. The answer is simple: goals. Goals give you a benchmark to measure your success against. A great goal leads to a great result. Effective goal setters utilize SMART goals. SMART goals have 5 criteria:
- Specific
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Realistic
- Time-Bound
Having goals can help you be successful but having the right goals can make you remarkable. To increase accountability, share your goals with others. When others know you have certain goals, they will give you an extra push to achieve them.
6. Their success fuels them
The achievements of successful people propel them towards further greatness. They reflect on how they were able to reach their goals and what they learned along the way. Then they plan what they will do next. One action leads to another and they never let failures deter them from their ultimate goal. Successful people use momentum in their favor.
7. They know how to sell
You probably didn’t imagine salesmanship would fall into an article about how to be successful. However, being able to sell yourself, communicate clearly, inspire others, and motivate people to act through logic and reasoning are often the required skills to be successful.
Being good at “selling” is not pressuring or manipulating others into believing your point of view. It is presenting the facts and benefits (or consequences) of a certain decision. The key to selling is being an effective communicator. If this is a skill that you do not currently have, begin to develop it now. The professional and personal benefits will be tremendous from improving your ability to communicate.
8. They are not prideful and praise others
Be wary, it is easy to think that remarkable success gives you the right to act and feel like you are better than everyone else. Despite what you might see or think, the actual successful people are those who can maintain humility despite their success. Truly successful people are humble and willing to share victories with those around them. They are willing to apologize and admit their mistakes. They are even willing to humble themselves enough to ask others for help. Humility is a powerful attribute that sets the successful apart from the remarkably successful.
Wrapping Up: Things Successful People Do
Unfortunately, it’s unlikely that anyone reading this article has checked every one of the boxes of a remarkably successful person. This is great news! That just means that you have some work to do. Follow the advice listed here and you will be well on your way to being highly successful.
These principles of success apply in every aspect of life. Finding out how to implement each is tricky, but the rewards will be worth the effort. Looking for more ways to be successful as an employee or job seeker? Hire Integrated has several available resources!
Emily Rushton, Founder and CEO of Hire Integrated, has over a decade of experience in recruitment, helping companies solve high-volume hiring challenges. Her unique, storytelling approach has made her a trusted leader in the industry, helping both businesses and candidates succeed.
