Listen to this article:
Abstract: This article examines the key factors that enable highly successful people to achieve remarkable levels of accomplishment, drawing on psychological research and real-world examples. At the core is a "success mindset" characterized by an internal locus of control, a growth mindset, and optimism/resilience. Successful individuals also cultivate productivity and discipline through time management, delayed gratification, and healthy habits, while building strong support networks through professional networking, mentorship, and collaboration. Crucially, they embrace continuous learning and adaptation, remaining curious, experimental, and committed to ongoing skill development. By implementing these strategies, the article suggests readers can unlock their own potential for extraordinary achievement.
What is it that separates the highly successful from the rest of us? Is it simply a matter of talent, opportunity, and luck? Or is there something more to it – a set of mindsets, habits, and strategies that allow certain individuals to rise above the crowd and achieve remarkable levels of success, whether in their careers, businesses, or personal lives?
I've had the opportunity to study the lives and behaviors of many highly successful people. And through this research, I've identified a number of key factors that seem to be common among those who have reached the pinnacles of their fields. Today we will dive into these factors, exploring the underlying psychology and research behind them, and providing practical tips and examples for how you can apply them in your own life.
Developing a Success Mindset
At the core of what separates successful people from the masses is a distinct mindset – a way of thinking and approaching the world that empowers them to achieve their goals. Psychologists have identified several key elements of this success mindset:
Internal Locus of Control: Highly successful people tend to have a strong internal locus of control (Rotter, 1966) – the belief that the outcomes in their life are primarily a result of their own actions and behaviors, rather than external factors beyond their control. This sense of personal agency fuels their motivation and persistence in the face of challenges. Oprah Winfrey, one of the most successful media moguls of our time, has spoken extensively about her belief that she is the "author of her own story." This mindset empowered her to overcome a challenging childhood and create an extraordinary career and life for herself.
Growth Mindset: Successful individuals also tend to have a growth mindset (Dweck, 2006) – the belief that their abilities and potential are not fixed, but can be developed through effort and learning. This leads them to approach challenges as opportunities for improvement, rather than threats to be avoided. Bill Gates, the co-founder of Microsoft, has said, "Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose." This growth mindset has allowed him to continually push himself and his company to new heights, even after achieving tremendous success.
Optimism and Resilience: Lastly, highly successful people are often characterized by a sense of optimism and resilience (Seligman, 1998). They tend to have a positive, hopeful outlook on life, and the ability to bounce back from setbacks and failures. This allows them to maintain motivation and persistence, even in the face of challenges. J.K. Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter series, faced countless rejections from publishers before her first book was finally accepted. But her resilience and optimism allowed her to persevere, ultimately becoming one of the best-selling authors of all time.
Developing these core mindsets – an internal locus of control, a growth mindset, and optimism/resilience – can be a powerful first step in emulating the success of others.
Cultivating Productivity and Discipline
In addition to a success-oriented mindset, highly successful people also tend to possess a high degree of productivity and discipline in their daily lives. This allows them to consistently work towards their goals and achieve remarkable results.
Time Management and Prioritization: Successful individuals are masters of time management and prioritization (Covey, 1989). They are adept at identifying their most important tasks, eliminating distractions, and maintaining a laser-like focus on what truly matters. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, is known for his ruthless prioritization of tasks and extreme productivity. He has developed systems and habits, such as setting strict time limits for meetings and ruthlessly eliminating unimportant activities, that allow him to maximize his output.
Delayed Gratification and Grit: Successful people also exhibit a strong capacity for delayed gratification and grit (Duckworth, 2016). They are willing to put in hard work and endure short-term discomfort in service of long-term goals, rather than seeking immediate rewards and instant gratification. J.K. Rowling has spoken about the years of grueling, solitary work she put in to write the Harry Potter series, often working late into the night and facing constant rejection before achieving her breakthrough success.
Healthy Habits and Self-Care: Lastly, highly successful individuals tend to prioritize their health and well-being (Loehr & Schwartz, 2003). They maintain healthy habits, such as regular exercise, proper sleep, and nutritious eating, which provide them with the physical and mental energy to sustain their high levels of productivity and discipline. Oprah Winfrey has been open about her commitment to a healthy lifestyle, including a daily meditation practice and a focus on physical fitness, which she credits as essential to her ability to navigate the demands of her incredibly successful media empire.
By developing these productivity-enhancing habits and practices, successful people are able to consistently make progress towards their goals, even in the face of challenges and setbacks.
Building a Strong Support Network
Another key factor that separates successful people from the rest is their ability to build and leverage a strong support network (Granovetter, 1973). They understand the power of relationships and collaboration, and actively work to cultivate a diverse array of connections that can provide them with resources, information, and opportunities.
Professional Networking: Highly successful individuals are often masterful networkers, adeptly building relationships with key industry contacts, mentors, and potential collaborators (Granovetter, 1973). They understand the value of both strong and weak ties, and are proactive in maintaining and nurturing these connections. Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, two of the world's wealthiest and most successful individuals, have a long-standing friendship and professional relationship that has been mutually beneficial, allowing them to share insights, resources, and opportunities.
Mentorship and Coaching: Successful people also seek out mentors and coaches who can provide them with guidance, support, and accountability (Kram, 1983). These more experienced individuals can offer valuable advice, connections, and perspectives that can accelerate the mentee's growth and success. Oprah Winfrey has credited her long-time personal development coach, Martha Beck, as being instrumental in her personal and professional growth, helping her to navigate the challenges and complexities of her remarkable career.
Collaborative Partnerships: Finally, highly successful individuals are often adept at forming strategic partnerships and collaborations (Powell et al., 1996) that allow them to leverage the skills, resources, and networks of others to achieve their goals. The co-founders of Airbnb, Brian Chesky and Joe Gebbia, have talked about the importance of their collaborative partnership in the early days of the company, with each bringing complementary skills and perspectives that were essential to the business's success.
By cultivating a diverse and supportive network, successful people are able to access a wider range of knowledge, resources, and opportunities, amplifying their ability to achieve their goals.
Embracing Continuous Learning and Adaptation
Lastly, highly successful people tend to be lifelong learners, continuously seeking out new knowledge, skills, and experiences that can help them grow and adapt to changing circumstances (Kolb, 1984).
Curiosity and Openness to New Ideas: Successful individuals are curious and open-minded, constantly exploring new ideas, perspectives, and ways of thinking (Kashdan & Steger, 2007). They are not afraid to challenge their own assumptions and beliefs, and are willing to step outside their comfort zones to learn and grow. Elon Musk, known for his ambitious and innovative business ventures, has said, "I think it's very important to have a feedback loop, where you're constantly thinking about what you've done and how you could be doing it better."
Experimentation and Adaptation: Successful people also embrace experimentation and adaptation as a means of learning and improving (Ries, 2011). They are willing to try new approaches, learn from their failures, and make iterative changes to their strategies and behaviors. J.K. Rowling has spoken about the numerous revisions and adaptations she made to the Harry Potter series, constantly refining her writing and storytelling based on feedback and her own growth as an author.
Continuous Skill Development: Finally, highly successful individuals are committed to continuous skill development, actively seeking out opportunities to expand their knowledge and abilities (Dweck, 2006). They understand that true mastery is an ongoing journey, not a destination. Oprah Winfrey, despite her incredible success, has continued to seek out opportunities to learn and grow, taking classes, attending workshops, and working with coaches and mentors to expand her skills and capabilities.
By embracing a mindset of continuous learning and adaptation, successful people are able to stay agile, innovative, and responsive to the ever-changing demands of their personal and professional lives.
Conclusion
The factors that separate highly successful people from the rest of us are not a matter of luck or innate talent alone. Rather, they stem from a combination of mindset, habits, relationships, and a commitment to ongoing learning and growth.
By cultivating a success-oriented mindset, developing productive and disciplined routines, building a strong support network, and embracing continuous learning, you can begin to unlock your own potential for extraordinary achievement. While the path to success may not be easy, the research and examples presented in this brief suggest that it is very much within reach for those who are willing to put in the necessary work.
So, what are you waiting for? Start implementing these strategies today, and watch as your own success story unfolds.
References
Covey, S. R. (1989). The 7 habits of highly effective people. Free Press.
Duckworth, A. L. (2016). Grit: The power of passion and perseverance. Scribner.
Dweck, C. S. (2006). Mindset: The new psychology of success. Random House.
Granovetter, M. S. (1973). The strength of weak ties. American Journal of Sociology, 78(6), 1360-1380. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2776392
Kashdan, T. B., & Steger, M. F. (2007). Curiosity and pathways to well-being and meaning in life: Traits, states, and everyday behaviors. Motivation and Emotion, 31(3), 159-173. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11031-007-9068-7
Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Prentice-Hall.
Kram, K. E. (1983). Phases of the mentor relationship. Academy of Management Journal, 26(4), 608-625. https://doi.org/10.5465/255910
Loehr, J., & Schwartz, T. (2003). The power of full engagement: Managing energy, not time, is the key to high performance and personal renewal. Simon and Schuster.
Powell, W. W., Koput, K. W., & Smith-Doerr, L. (1996). Interorganizational collaboration and the locus of innovation: Networks of learning in biotechnology. Administrative Science Quarterly, 116-145. https://doi.org/10.2307/2393988
Ries, E. (2011). The lean startup: How today's entrepreneurs use continuous innovation to create radically successful businesses. Crown Business.
Rotter, J. B. (1966). Generalized expectancies for internal versus external control of reinforcement. Psychological Monographs: General and Applied, 80(1), 1. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/h0092976
Seligman, M. E. (1998). Learned optimism. Pocket Books.
Additional Reading
Westover, J. H. (2024). Optimizing Organizations: Reinvention through People, Adapted Mindsets, and the Dynamics of Change. HCI Academic Press. doi.org/10.70175/hclpress.2024.3
Westover, J. H. (2024). Reinventing Leadership: People-Centered Strategies for Empowering Organizational Change. HCI Academic Press. doi.org/10.70175/hclpress.2024.4
Westover, J. H. (2024). Cultivating Engagement: Mastering Inclusive Leadership, Culture Change, and Data-Informed Decision Making. HCI Academic Press. doi.org/10.70175/hclpress.2024.5
Westover, J. H. (2024). Energizing Innovation: Inspiring Peak Performance through Talent, Culture, and Growth. HCI Academic Press. doi.org/10.70175/hclpress.2024.6
Westover, J. H. (2024). Championing Performance: Aligning Organizational and Employee Trust, Purpose, and Well-Being. HCI Academic Press. doi.org/10.70175/hclpress.2024.7
Citation: Westover, J. H. (2024). Workforce Evolution: Strategies for Adapting to Changing Human Capital Needs. HCI Academic Press. doi.org/10.70175/hclpress.2024.8
Westover, J. H. (2024). Navigating Change: Keys to Organizational Agility, Innovation, and Impact. HCI Academic Press. doi.org/10.70175/hclpress.2024.11
Westover, J. H. (2024). Inspiring Purpose: Leading People and Unlocking Human Capacity in the Workplace. HCI Academic Press. doi.org/10.70175/hclpress.2024.12
Jonathan H. Westover, PhD is Chief Academic & Learning Officer (HCI Academy); Chair/Professor, Organizational Leadership (UVU); OD Consultant (Human Capital Innovations). Read Jonathan Westover's executive profile here.
Suggested Citation: Westover, J. H. (2024). The Secrets of Highly Successful People. Human Capital Leadership Review, 16(2). doi.org/10.70175/hclreview.2020.16.2.4
