There is no set recipe for success, but there are similar ingredients in every success story. Along my journey, I’ve identified 5 skills that have greatly impacted my success. Adjust measurements according to your need.

I’ve found that learning to value people provides more benefit than any other skill. You can show that you value people in a multitude of ways, displaying gratitude, like a simple thank you, viewing people as important, worth investing time in and showing interest in their lives. 

You can not change the way people view themselves, however you change the way you treat and think about people. If you view people as a burden you will treat them like a burden, if you view them as an invaluable resource, you will treat them accordingly.When people feel valued, they produce value.

Great leaders like Gandhi, Martin Luther, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer wouldn’t have had the same impact if they didn’t value people. I challenge you to invest, appreciate and value those around you.

You don’t have to be an extrovert to master this skill. Simply thinking about how you can benefit others is a step in the right direction. Valuing people is key to securing clients and deals, as well as getting along effectively with co-workers or business partners. This is a mindset that provides tremendous value but does not cross the minds of many.

Successful people are successful because they do things that other people don’t do. Success is not a utopia without a struggle. Through hard times victories are earned and success is born. It is without a doubt that my hardest challenges have been my most rewarding. 

I’ve always loved to create, whether that be to paint, draw or build sand castles. I was 15 when I set my mind to have my art displayed in a museum. So after a long process of applying, compiling a team of student artists, I created and framed 9 beautiful pieces. My art would have never made it to the museum if I hadn’t fought through the struggle.

It’s one thing to keep your head down, grit your teeth and plow through the hard times and quite another to learn to love the struggle. I’m still learning to learn the struggle and build my mental resilience. I’ve made the struggle my teacher and know that I will learn how to innovate through it. Very few practice this skill, but the pay off is momentous.

“Care about what other people think and you will always be their prisoner.” – Lao Tzu

We all know appearance isn’t everything. But how easily do we get caught up in how we appear? Every second you spend thinking about how somebody views you takes away from time that you could create something for yourself.

You are going to have to do things that don’t always meet people’s standards, choosing to pursue an untraditional education, taking a risk and accepting an unconventional job offer or investing in an untested idea you have. Those who hold their pride, and reputation too tightly will be held back from what they want. The truth is the opinions of others will keep you from your dreams, if you let them.

On the bright side, even if somebody does think badly of you at the moment, there is a good chance they will think differently in the near future. Don’t become a prisoner to the perception of others, it will shackle your upside. 

Researchers Michael Frese and Doris Fay define initiative as “work behavior characterized by its self-starting nature, its proactive approach, and by being persistent in overcoming difficulties that arise in pursuit of a goal.”

If you take a chance to ask managers what skills are most valuable in their employees, taking the initiative is almost without fail on their list. Mental headspace is a precious commodity, to free up that headspace for your manager is to take the initiative. You do things without being told; you find out what you need to know; you keep going when things get tough, and you spot and take advantage of opportunities that others pass by. You act, instead of reacting.

Outside of the workforce taking the initiative will help you gain responsibility and trust. If you live your life as most people do, you will get what most people get. If you take the initiative you take the first step in creating the life you want and becoming successful. 

As most people know, IQ stands for intellectual quotient and refers to mental ability. EQ stands for emotional quotient and concerns our ability to perceive, control, and express emotions. CQ stands for curiosity quotient and concerns having a hungry mind

Curiosity keeps people inquisitive. Instead of seeing things as set in stone it allows for some flexibility. Being curious about they why behind certain things opens the door to creative problem-solving. Almost all of my invention ideas have come from being curious. An undying sense of curiosity is key. As Albert Einstein famously said: ““I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.”

You may think it’s hard to be curious, an easy cure is to stop taking things for granted. Things you use daily, like the toilet, hold fascinating principles. Being curious is having a desire for knowledge. I practice curiosity most in my life by reading, which is the best way to become successful.