In Qualities of Successful People, Parts 1 and 2, the list of qualities included: Integrity, Honesty, Persistent/Perseverance, Ability to handle adversity, Passion, Focus, Positive Energy, Accepting Responsibility for their actions, Dreamer, Risk-Taker, Belief in themselves, Resilient, Take Action, and Goal Setters. Part 3 will contain the final six Qualities of Successful People that we identified as a staff this past summer.
1. Consistent: Aristotle stated, "We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence then is not an act, but a habit. According to Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, the definition of the word consistent is: a. marked by harmony, regularity, or steady continuity b. showing steady conformity to character, profession, belief, or custom. In other words, a consistent person is one who goes about the business of getting done what needs to be done, when it needs to be done, and in the manner in which it should be done. J.C. Watts, Jr., a University of Oklahoma football standout and former U.S. Congressman said, "Character is doing what's right when nobody's looking."
2. Mental Toughness: Successful people realize that difficulties can stimulate them to their greatest achievements. One of the qualities all coaches want their athletes to have is mental toughness. It is the ability to reach down inside, when there is nothing left, for one more great effort. Pat Riley stated in his book, The Winner Within,
Somewhere, someplace, sometime,
You are going to have to plant your feet,
Make a stand, and kick some butt.
And when that time comes,
You do it!"
3. Coach ability: Simply put it is the ability to accept coaching (teaching and/or mentoring). Successful people are willing to learn from others. They learn by experience - preferably other peoples. Ben Johnson is quoted as saying, "Very few wise men by their own counsel, or learned by their own teaching. For he that was taught by himself had a fool for his master." John Wooden, one of the most successful coaches of all time - in any sport - added, "It is what you learn after you know it all that counts."
Successful people are willing to meet and share with other successful people. In a previous Motivational Moments I wrote about putting together your Dream Team.
a. You must identify a small group of like minded individuals
b. Keeping the group size small allows you to focus on your goals
c. Have regular meetings with Your Dream Team - mobile phones off, no interruptions
d. Meetings are to be upbeat, positive, and should be beneficial to everyone
e. Every must agree to be fully involved
f. Share something positive that has happened since the last time you met
g. Share opportunities and adversities, and ask for feedback and help
4. Confidence: Successful people have a certain air about them. Their body language is strong and true. When they speak to you they look you dead in the eye. Their handshake is firm and strong, not weak and wimpy. When people feel good about themselves, they perform at a higher level. When they feel good about themselves, they treat other people better.
"There is overwhelming evidence that the higher the level of self-esteem, the more likely one will treat others with respect, kindness, and generosity. People who do not experience self-love have little of no capacity to love others." Nathaniel Branden
Wally "Famous" Amos of the chocolate chip cookie fame said, "It's so important to believe in yourself. Believe that you can do it, under any circumstances. Because if you believe you can, then you really will. That belief just keeps you searching for the answers, and then pretty soon you get it."
5. Giver: "Give generously, for your gifts will return to you later." Ecclesiastes 11:1 Successful people are givers. They give their time, money, resources, and their energy. Charles H. Burr said this about giving -
"Simply give others a bit of yourself; a thoughtful act, a helpful idea, a word of appreciation, a lift over a rough spot, a sense of understanding, a timely suggestion. You take something out of your mind, garnished in kindness out of your heart, and put it into the other fellow's mind and heart."
I applaud the NCAA and its member institutions. As much of a bad rap college athletics is taking these days it is important to recognize the many thousands of student athletes from around the country who are participating in community service projects. Projects like: Reading in schools, visiting nursing homes and children's hospitals, building homes through Habitat for Humanity, working in shelter and soup kitchens. Unfortunately these projects don't draw the media attention that the Miami-FIU football game attracts.
"Everybody can be great...because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
6. They avoid the Four Horsemen of Losers:
a. Fear
b. Frustration
c. Pity
d. Blame
Successful people are willing to try new things, to think outside the box. They see failure as a learning process, a temporary detour on the road to success. They avoid the "blame game" and finger pointing. They anticipate problems and accept the responsibility for their mistakes. THEY SEE THE BIG PICTURE.
Tom Hughes has been writing a motivational newsletter, Motivational Moments since April 2001. He has spoken to business organizations, civic organizations, college, and high school groups, faculty and staff workshops and sports teams. His website is http://www.motivationnmore.com
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