If I were to boil success down to two success characteristics they would be Grit and Growth.
GRIT
Those with Grit never quit on their dreams and their goals. No number of obstacles, rejections or failures that life throws at them stops them from pursuing their dreams and goals. They simply go at it every day and never stop trying.
Grit is acquired by two means: habit and passion.
Individuals raised from a young age in an environment in which they must fight for every scrap, develop the habit of grit. Those without this habit, nonetheless can acquire the grit habit by being raised from a young age in an environment that encourages them to pursue their passions in life. Grit is often joined at the hip with passion.
GROWTH
Those who are perpetually growing, seek to expand their knowledge and/or skills on a daily basis. A growth mindset is acquired by three means: habit, innate curiosity and passion.
Individuals raised at a young age in an environment that encourages daily learning, develop the habit of growing every day. Those not raised in such an environment, nonetheless, may acquire the growth habit if they have an innate curiosity.
Fortunately, curiosity seems to be an innate human trait – something hardwired into the human genome.
Humans are innately curious.
Those not raised in a growth environment or are not innately curious, can still acquire the curiosity habit. Pursuing a Dream, or something that you are incredibly passionate about, will transform even the most disinterested person into a fanatic, intent on learning everything they can about the things that will help them transform their dream into a reality.
PATIENCE
The pursuit of success takes a long time. Success does not abide by your timetable. In my days of reviewing many business plans for a private equity client/company, I came into contact, for the first time, with the Law of Three. In that Law of Three, I learned that success takes three times as long as you initially expected. Therefore, patience must become a habit for everyone pursuing a dream.
