I've been reading about success since I was a sophomore in high school - I asked for the 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens for Christmas that year (nerd alert! I know, I know...).
In this series I'm going to be revealing the top success qualities I've seen both in books and in the lives of real successful people so that you can use them to be successful in whatever it is you're pursuing right now.
Success Series - Qualities of the Young & Successful
week 1 - humility
If you want to be successful, especially at a young age, there is a crucial thing you must have: humility.
Arrogance can get some people far, but I believe that, especially when you're young, humility pays much higher dividends in the long run.
Here's how to tell the difference and see where you are now:
The arrogant person thinks s/he knows everything.
The humble person knows s/he has much to learn.
The arrogant person uses people to get ahead.
The humble person tries to help people with what s/he knows.
The arrogant person talks only about him/her self.
The humble person listens more than s/he talks.
The arrogant person thinks s/he can only win if you lose.
The humble person thinks there's enough success to go around.
The arrogant person thinks s/he has all the answers.
The humble person is excited to find the answers.
The arrogant person thinks about how to elevate his/her own status.
The humble person thinks about how to make others feel important.
The arrogant person gives unsolicited advice.
The humble person solicits advice.
Whether you're just focusing on being successful in your current classes or you have a big dream you're reaching for, the good news is that humility can get you far.
You don't have to have all the answers, and you don't have to pretend to be someone you aren't. People are drawn to humility, especially in a culture that often makes us feel like we should always look like we have all the answers on our own.
When you draw others to you, you draw on the resources necessary for success in anything you're trying to accomplish.
No one is successful alone, and arrogance repels.
Humility helps build the relationships that make success happen. To be young and successful you'll need an army of mentors and leaders who can teach you what they know and connect you to others who can move you forward.
Humility doesn't mean that you should put yourself down, hide in a corner, or not try. It just means that you are focused less on your image of success and more on actually contributing or creating something meaningful (for your community, your world, or maybe even for your next class project).
You don't have to have all the answers to go for big dreams, you just have to be willing to find them, willing to seek help, and willing to admit you don't know everything.
Try it. It's kind of liberating.
Be sure to subscribe to the blog via e-mail in the top right-hand corner to stay on top of the Success Series. Next week I'll be talking about how to increase your confidence (yes - humility and confidence can go hand in hand!).
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