Many famous people who seem to be successful aren’t. They may have attained monetary wealth, but that alone is not true success. The strength of your character, the quality of your behavior, and the amount of your giving are the true measures of success.
You could be a billionaire, but if no one loves or respects you, there’s no true wealth in your life. I am sure you can think of a few people with great monetary wealth, but little else in values, compassion, or people who truly love them.
The most valuable wealth anyone possesses is their health, talents, knowledge, and integrity.
So what are the characteristics, values, and practices of truly successful people? Here’s a list of 85 from A to Z.
Truly successful people are…
- Appreciative – They appreciate the important things that they have such as their health, family, friends, and home. They appreciate the gifts they receive from others regardless of how small.
- Assertive – They take action with self-confidence, but never with aggression or ruthlessness.
- Attentive – They pay close attention when people are talking to them. They are excellent listeners.
- Bold – They are not afraid to take chances or fail. They know that failure often provides them with valuable information that will help them succeed.
- Balanced – They are balanced in the time they allocate to work, play, and relationships. They also balance their choices regarding exercise, diet, and rest.
- Beautiful – Their internal beauty radiates on the outside, making them attractive regardless of their outward appearance.
- Courageous – They are courageous in every area of life, including adhering to their values regardless of the circumstances.
- Charismatic – Their true success attracts followers. They magnetize people to their way of thinking and behaving.
- Creative – They have the ability to conceive new ideas, concepts, and methods in their head and then bring them to reality.
- Courteous – They are polite and well-mannered in all situations and with all people regardless of their status or position.
- Compassionate – They are empathetic to those who are less fortunate than they are and take action to help where they can, without the desire for publicity.
- Decisive – They carefully analyze choices, gather information, and decide based on their intuition (or gut feelings).
- Disciplined – They consistently maintain exercise routines, healthy eating practices, and goal-achievement strategies.
- Dependable – They meet all their obligations and agreements with all persons, regardless of who they are.
- Diplomatic – They deal with sensitive matters in the most tactful manner possible to avoid hurt feelings, conflicts, or hostility.
- Efficient – They constantly look for ways to make things easier and more effective.
- Easygoing – They are casual, free-spirited, and undemanding.
- Empathetic – They can put themselves in the place of another person.
- Environmentalists – They do their part to preserve the planet by recycling waste materials, purchasing energy-efficient products, and installing sustainable energy devices when possible.
- Fit – They exercise regularly, maintain a healthy diet, and avoid (or quit) unhealthy habits.
- Frugal – They are smart in all their financial dealings and don’t allow anyone or anything (e.g., advertisements) to influence their purchase decisions.
- Flexible – They can quickly adapt and improvise as conditions and plans change.
- Focused – They have developed the ability to direct their full attention to the matters before them. If interrupted, they can quickly return to where they were.
- Generous – They give their time and resources to anyone in need when appropriate. This includes giving a homeless person money without concern about how they use it.
- Genuine – They rely on simply being themselves because they know that authenticity attracts support, trust, and love from others.
- Gentle – They are gentle but firm in their dealings with people. They do not need to be harsh, rough, or cruel.
- Happy – They create their own happiness by taking control of their thoughts and actions.
- Hard-Workers – They are always willing to go the extra mile to succeed.
- Honest – They are truthful in all their personal and business dealings. They are not swayed by potential financial gains or pressures from others to modify this standard.
- Humble – They remain modest and down-to-earth regardless of how much wealth or power they have.
- Intelligent – They have above-average intelligence. They show brilliance in their unique talents and special interests.
- Ingenious – They are clever at inventing and organizing things to fulfill a need.
- Inquisitive – Their desire to learn and know people inspires them to ask many questions.
- Innovative – They create and lead. They do not imitate and follow.
- Inspirational – How they behave and live inspires others to demand more of themselves.
- Judicious – They are sensible and think things through before speaking or acting.
- Just – They are fair and well-grounded in their actions.
- Joyful – They maintain a cheerful attitude despite any difficulties in their life.
- Kind – They are kind to everyone regardless of social standing or position.
- Knowledgeable – They are well-informed about a broad range of topics and experts in their chosen field, recreation, and special interests.
- Keen – They are passionate about their work.
- Leaders – They lead by example and by being courageous.
- Loyal – They are loyal to their family, friends, business associates, and clients.
- Loving – They know how to give and receive love without measure.
- Lawful – They follow all laws and pay their fair share of taxes. If they find a law unjust, they either take action to change it or stop complaining about it.
- Mediators – They readily assume the role of peacemaker or negotiator to preserve or enhance relationships between two people or groups.
- Motivators – They inspire people to live up to their potential.
- Multicultural – They appreciate and learn from the different cultures, ethnicities, and lifestyles of people throughout their country and the world.
- Nonconformists – They do not follow popular methods or trends. Instead, they create their own path and style.
- Neighborly – They are very considerate of their neighbors by being quiet, clean, and respectful of their privacy.
- Neat – They are tidy with their possessions and careful when they use them.
- Organized – They create well-thought-out plans and develop systems that support easy and efficient execution of them.
- Optimistic – They maintain a positive attitude regardless of setbacks or negative opinions from others.
- Open-Minded – They listen to all points of view without prejudice.
- Punctual – They are on time regardless of the event or who they are meeting.
- Patient – They can wait without becoming anxious or angry. They do this by having reading material or electronic devices available so that they can stay productive.
- Perceptive – They give full attention to what people say and do not allow their minds to drift. This gives them a superior ability to interpret communication and behavior.
- Precise – They are meticulous because they demand the best from themselves and those who work for them.
- Quick – They have the ability to respond rapidly in impromptu situations.
- Quiet – They have the ability to quiet their minds and meditate.
- Quirky – They are unusual because they do things and behave in ways that most people only dream about.
- Respected – They earn respect through love and not fear.
- Reliable – They follow through on all agreements, regardless of how small.
- Real – They do not put on airs or try to be something they are not.
- Resourceful – They find a way to do things effectively even when the ideal resources are unavailable.
- Self-Confident – They believe in themselves and in their ability to overcome any obstacles that may arise.
- Self-Made – They create their wealth through their efforts, not through inheritance, gambling, or a lottery win.
- Selective – They carefully pick with whom and where they spend their time.
- Students – They have an endless desire to learn about a variety of subjects. They are lifelong learners who read books, attend seminars, and take classes.
- Tolerant – They accept people of all ethnicities, religions, sexual orientations, social classes, and nationalities.
- Tactful – They are sensitive, polite, and skillful in interactions and communications.
- Tenacious – They remain determined, positive, and diligent until they reach their goal, no matter how long it may take.
- Teachers – They love to teach others how to overcome obstacles, achieve their potential, and succeed in the shortest time possible.
- Unaffected – Their treatment and response to people are not influenced by their wealth, status, position, or title.
- Unshakable – They are not distracted by naysayers, critics, or pessimists.
- Uncommon – They are exceptional in their fit appearance, cut above behavior, and extraordinary performance.
- Visionaries – They are pioneers who can imagine things that don’t exist, create them in their minds, and then bring them into being.
- Virtuous – They firmly adhere to the values that they have established for themselves. They do not base them solely on religious, societal, cultural, or institutional doctrine.
- Vegan – In their quest for maximum health and lifestyle, they maintain a plant-based, whole-foods diet.
- Willing – They are eager to take on work that makes a difference, even if it is outside their area of responsibility.
- Warmhearted – They are friendly to everyone they meet.
- Wise – Through their intense desire to live in the best way possible, they acquire wisdom.
- Xenodochial – They easily make friends with strangers.
- Youthful – They are young at heart in their thinking and behavior.
- Zany – They are playful, comedic, and self-depreciating.
I know this list represents a very high standard. But it gives us a clear target.