3 Characteristics of the Truly Successful

Blog Category: Lifestyle

By Jim Mayer, Content Contributor and former Executive Director Twin Lakes Senior Living Community.


Being the Executive Director of a Senior Living Community has afforded me ample opportunity to interact with many wonderful, successful people.

In this time, I have taken note of three characteristics among these inspiring individuals. Traits that build strong character and that I am determined to emulate myself.

What I’ve Learned About the Truly Successful

1. Strong Communication

Communication is about being open and honest in one’s thoughts and feelings. In order to accomplish this, you must be able to not only hear but to actively listen to another person. This is how you can to truly understand what they are saying. Another way to engage in strong communication is to reiterate the sentiments being expressed to you and to ask questions.

A good communicator is a person who has an open body language and the ability to have eye contact. I have always said that if you really have something important to talk about remove all barriers. Remove the table or desk, and then have a knee to knee conversation.

2. Commitment

Be “all in.” Commitment is compelling because it influences how you think, how you sound, and how you act.

Unlike a half-hearted hope or ‘best shot,’ making a commitment means you try harder. You look for solutions when faced with obstacles. You don’t consider quitting as an option, and you never look back.

3. Forgiveness

Forgiveness is incredibly powerful because it’s the foundation of unconditional love.

When we forgive others, we should not feel that we are just doing somebody else a favor because by forgiving others we are helping ourselves to be more understanding. Through forgiveness, we learn to appreciate the good qualities of others. Sometimes it is easy to forgive others, but it can be more difficult to forgive ourselves.

Try emulating these behaviors in your interaction with others, and see if you are met with greater success in your endeavors. You can’t go wrong improving your communication, committing yourself fully in your pursuits and embracing the power of forgiveness.

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