3 Characteristics Successful People Share

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What three things do the world's most successful people share in common? They have their own definition of success, they know the personality qualities that drive them, and they've seized their defining moments.

That's the idea in a new book that examines the personality traits of successful people across the globe. The book's authors say the lessons learned can help people succeed in their careers and in life.

Written by Herb Greenberg and Patrick Sweeney-who have advised more than 25,000 companies in the areas of hiring, employee development, team building and organizational development-"Succeed on Your Own Terms" (McGraw-Hill, $21.95) offers readers practical tips and advice.

The book provides an in-depth look at more than four dozen talented individuals who have made their marks in business, politics, sports, the arts and global affairs. It also offers readers the chance to complete a free, in-depth personality profile (worth over $200) to help focus their energies on specific fields or goals. According to the book, successful people know that:

* Real success comes from recognizing, understanding, developing and concentrating on one's strengths. According to Paul Schulte, the youngest U.S. Olympic wheelchair basketball player at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, that means "focussing on what you have, rather than what you don't have."

* Being self-aware means not letting the outside world define you and knowing what motivates you. For instance, Rebecca Stephens, the first British woman to climb Mount Everest, says, "Success is the achievement of whatever it is that you set out to do. And it's up to you to decide what that is. It can't be determined by anyone else."

* Being willing to risk means being all right with the possibilities. Senator Barbara Boxer says she doesn't always succeed if that only means accomplishing what she wants. "I can feel successful just moving my agenda forward," she explains.

* When you love what you do, people can sense it in your presence.

In our experience, the most successful volleyball players are the ones that share these characteristics -- and have a number of others. Knowing what your primary goal is helps you outline your steps needed to best position you to reach that goal. 

Reading the book's success stories may help people gain a new perspective-one that can be useful when striving for success in their own lives.