I have met many successful people in different industries and facets of life. Each one of them has something different to offer; and yet there are some similarities binding them together. These are the characteristics of successful people.

If you aspire to be just like them, then you’re going to have to integrate the characteristics of these successful people into your own life. You don’t have to copy their journey exactly, but it will help to find out what sort of attitude makes for success.

1. Having the Initiative.

One of the most important characteristics of successful people is having initiative. These people don’t have to be told twice what to do. They don’t even have to be told anything.

Successful people understand the environment they work in and have the drive to make improvements whenever opportunity presents itself. In fact, forget about waiting for the opportunity. Successful people create their own opportunities.

2. Being Positive.

I have found that the most successful people are equipped with a positive attitude. Success doesn’t always mean success in career only. It also includes your personal life.

Positive people tend to lead happier lives, both at work and at home. Being positive helps motivate them to do their best. They have such a wonderful and inspirational outlook on life that everything seems so effortless to them.

Never giving up is also part of being positive. I know businesses that haven’t exactly skyrocketed during their first few months; but because their owners haven’t given up hope, these businesses eventually flourished. That’s why being positive is one of the most crucial characteristics of successful people.

3. Giving Their Best.

Success does not just happen overnight. It is worked for. A lot of successful people I know give their 100% on everything, even in the simplest tasks. They give a lot of thought to each decision and focus their energy on whatever it is they’re doing.

For example, a lot of ball players might have innate talent, but they won’t have succeeded in their respective fields without practice, discipline and dedication.

Fans think that some actors were simply discovered by talent agents one day and boom! - they’re super stars. But they wouldn’t have reaped so much success without their own share of hard work. If they didn’t give their all in a movie, for example, they would have lost their admirers. They wouldn’t be approached for upcoming projects and therefore, wouldn’t have last long in the industry.

These are just some of the vital characteristics of successful people. As simple as they sound, they really spell the difference between those who make it and those who don’t.