What defines success?
It’s not necessarily the car you drive or how big your house is or how many supermodels you know on a first name basis. Success is more than what you own, who you know, and what your job description is. It’s more than fame and fortune. Instead, success is a matter of living a fulfilled life where you are able to grow and continue learning.
However, it’s important that you live the successful life you want to live for yourself and not for other people. And in that regard, success can be considered subjective. A man who makes six figures a month, drives a Ferrari, and comes home to a beautiful wife can be considered a success. But the same can be said for a man who lives in a remote cabin with a library of literary classics and a cat to keep him company.
You must first come up with your own definition of what a successful man is before you can work towards that goal. Ask yourself what you want out of life, what makes you happy, and what will make you feel content. Until you figure out what you want out of life, you’ll only be striving towards other people’s definition of success. [Read: The step-by-step guide to take that next step towards real success]
The 16 essential traits of successful gentlemen
Whatever your idea of success is, it can’t be denied that there are certain habits and traits that you must adhere to in order to reach your goal of success. Below are 16 of these traits to help propel you towards that dream, no matter what your definition of success may be.
#1 Willing to learn. Truly successful men are insatiably curious about life and are always looking to learn new things. They want to experience all that life has to offer, and gain valuable knowledge in the process. Taking new classes, attending business seminars, reading culturally significant books, and asking questions are all ways to learn more about your passions, so you can move towards success.
#2 Know how to network. Networking is essential for anyone hoping to be successful in life. Knowing how to network effectively is one of the ways that successful men gain friends, acquaintances, business partners, investors, clients, and even potential partners.
They have mastered the art of small talk and can already pinpoint the types of people in a room with whom they can have a mutually beneficial conversation leading to long-term relationships, business or otherwise. [Read: 12 quick tips to add more people to your social circle]
#3 Always working towards self-improvement. These men know that being successful is not only who they know and what they do, but who they are as an individual. Successful men will never stop working to improve themselves, whether it be learning new skills, mastering new projects, trying new hobbies, becoming more physically fit, or simply finding new ways to feel confident and balanced. [Read: 11 simple ways to inspire the people around you]
#4 Responsible. Successful men prefer to depend on themselves, and in order to do so, they take on great responsibilities. These men also accept responsibility for their failures just as much as their successes. They know that they have to be on their toes, so they put in the necessary work to reap the rewards.
#5 Hardworking. Successful men work hard towards achieving their goal, but aside from working hard, they also work smart. They know that hard work pays off, and they’ll only rest once they’re sure that their efforts will result in achieving their desired goal. There’s no such thing as slacking off with these men!
#6 Know how to bounce back. Successful men know that they can get knocked down, but they are incredibly resilient and always get back up. They recognize that failure is usually guaranteed on the road to success, and they won’t let setbacks derail them on their way to attaining their goals.
If you want to be successful, you have to trust the process and expect failures along the way. Persistence is key to attaining your goals. [Read: 12 steps to change your life for the better and find your happiness]
#7 Don’t fear change. They recognize that change is inevitable, and oftentimes, change is the necessary factor in taking an idea from start to finish. Being able to embrace and adapt to change is paramount in becoming a successful man.
#8 Know how to live in the moment. There’s no time like the present. A successful man takes the lessons of his past and applies it to his present, so that he can be closer to the future he envisions. He knows that his efforts in the present are all that he can control, so he lives in the moment and makes the most of it.
#9 Don’t give up easily. These men persevere in working towards their goal. Even if they run into a couple of roadblocks, they either keep trying or they modify their approach to achieve better results. Even if they finally come to terms with the fact that there’s just no way around their problem, they can still look back and say that they gave it their best shot. [Read: How to get your life back on track after a big change]
#10 Keep quality company. Successful men know that you are only as good as the company you keep. These guys will have a social circle of innovative, hardworking, and inspiring people around them. They want to keep quality people in their vicinity, because your choice of friends and colleagues says a lot about who you are.
If you want to be successful, focus on making friends with people who have qualities that you hope to have. If you have friends who drain your energy, bring you down, or put a damper on your momentum, it’s time to rethink your social circle. [Read: 17 bad friends you should unfriend from your life]
#11 Men of action. Successful men don’t sit back and let opportunities pass them by. They seize these moments because they’re aware that some opportunities rarely ever present themselves twice. Risky as it may be, they’d rather make their move while the moment is right than regret being passive at such a crucial moment. Speaking of which, successful men are… [Read: 10 things to do to become manlier but not aggressive]
#12 Not afraid of risks. These men know that risks are necessary in becoming successful. It’s been said that bigger risks bring bigger rewards, and it must have been a successful guy who discovered that. However, successful men don’t gamble with fate. They’ll only take a risk if they have already studied the odds behind getting the best possible outcome. [Read: 18 ways to be more spontaneous in life]
#13 Exude confidence. Successful men are able to present themselves in a way that tells the world that they are proud of what they can or will achieve. Their passion in what they do is evident in the way they’re able to confidently talk about it with people who could be potential friends or business associates. [Read: 30 alpha male characteristics that make you a real alpha]
#14 Financially practical. Knowing when to save their financial resources and when to take risks is an essential part of being successful. If you want to be successful, you can’t be an impulsive spender, and you have to do your research before making important financial decisions.
#15 Enjoy life. Enjoyment is essential to well-being and happiness. Successful men understand the importance of enjoying life just as much as working hard. What good is all that work if you can’t enjoy the benefits here and there? [Read: 11 simple ways to make each day more meaningful]
#16 Know the importance of balance. Finding the perfect balance of work and play is essential if you want to be a successful man. Men who achieve success rarely ever immerse themselves in work alone. Instead, they make time for socializing, for spending time with loved ones, for alone time, and for taking care of their mind, body, and soul.
