Following on from my last marketing thread, I was wondering what makes some successful when others fall by the wayside.

Is it just sheer grit and determination to succeed.?
Is it having an edge over your competitors, with fresh ideas?
Is an understanding of what people really want/need?
The ability to get on with others?
Having a natural talent?
Intelligence?

Comments please.

i think motivation is key, i dont have any i'm afraid hence why i'm posting on here and not working

Following on from my last marketing thread, I was wondering what makes some successful when others fall by the wayside.

Is it just sheer grit and determination to succeed.?
Is it having an edge over your competitors, with fresh ideas?
Is an understanding iof what people really want/need?
The ability to get on with others?
Having a natural talent?
Intelligence?

Comments please.

All of the above - plus a big helping of luck. Lots of people are very talented - but don't get much recognition or reward. Many people work very hard, but aren't particularly successful. Right time, right place, right people getting to know can be vital.

Having a talent or something to offer that is in short supply but high demand, being able to convince people they really need or want it seem to be the most important.

All of the above - plus a big helping of luck. Lots of people are very talented - but don't get much recognition or reward. Many people work very hard, but aren't particularly successful. Right time, right place, right people getting to know can be vital.

Having a talent or something to offer that is in short supply but high demand, being able to convince people they really need or want it seem to be the most important.

Good I m glad you said that.
Thanks

All of the above - plus a big helping of luck. Lots of people are very talented - but don't get much recognition or reward. Many people work very hard, but aren't particularly successful. Right time, right place, right people getting to know can be vital.

Having a talent or something to offer that is in short supply but high demand, being able to convince people they really need or want it seem to be the most important.


I wouldn't say luck has anything to do with it. Being in the right place, at the right time and knowing the right people takes skill and judgement. Doesn't happen by chance. You have to have had some success already or have shown potential in order to get noticed.

The keys for success are passion and motivation. Without these you'll never succeed. You have to live and breathe what you want to be successful at. There are lots of good people around, but not many great people.

Never judge anyone on success. Anyone can succeed. Judge them on their ability to overcome failure.

Motivation is the thing you need to succeed. If you can keep getting up in the morning and pushing yourself eventually you will get there. It can take a while though and some people lose faith, either in their ideas or themselves.

Never judge anyone on success. Anyone can succeed. Judge them on their ability to overcome failure.

Motivation is the thing you need to succeed. If you can keep getting up in the morning and pushing yourself eventually you will get there. It can take a while though and some people lose faith, either in their ideas or themselves.

Ability to overcome failure is a good trait, and one everyone needs. But if you are constantly failing then isn't there an issue somewhere? In the main you need to be successful, byt also have the skills to deal with the knocks as and when they arise.

Never judge anyone on success. Anyone can succeed. Judge them on their ability to overcome failure.

That's a very good point :)

I would agree with luck being a very big factor in a lot of people's success, too.

'Success' is a relative term - on a worldwide scale anyone who can post on here is successful - they have the time and money to do none essential things like posting on a forum, and they have the relatively expensive equipment to do it.

It's being more successful than average that's the tricky bit!

Ability to overcome failure is a good trait, and one everyone needs. But if you are constantly failing then isn't there an issue somewhere? In the main you need to be successful, byt also have the skills to deal with the knocks as and when they arise.

I do think a lot is down to determination.Interesting that no one has mentioned a requirement of intelligence yet.

To be really successful at work, it helps if you are a psychopath (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3579402.stm) :shocked:

To be really successful at work, it helps if you are a psychopath (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/3579402.stm) :shocked:

Interesting.Though it was 2004.

I do think a lot is down to determination.Interesting that no one has mentioned a requirement of intelligence yet.

That's probably because on here people are forever arguing about how to define and measure intelligence, and rightly so.

I would like to say that you need some form of intelligence to succeed, but unfortunately reality television and the cult of celebrity has put paid to that argument ;)

You can then go on to argue about what constitutes success...etc.

'Success' is a relative term - on a worldwide scale anyone who can post on here is successful - they have the time and money to do none essential things like posting on a forum, and they have the relatively expensive equipment to do it.

It's being more successful than average that's the tricky bit!

I agree that success is relative, but if we accept that to be the case, it would be impossible for everyone to be successful, therefore the title of this thread is erroneous.

I agree that success is relative, but if we accept that to be the case, it would be impossible for everyone to be successful, therefore the title of this thread is erroneous.

That's you and me out then, Basil!

If you aren't actually dead at this moment then you are successful because you've remained alive, which is the hardest thing we all manage.

That's probably because on here people are forever arguing about how to define and measure intelligence, and rightly so.

I would like to say that you need some form of intelligence to succeed, but unfortunately reality television and the cult of celebrity has put paid to that argument ;)

You can then go on to argue about what constitutes success...etc.

We all have our own benchmarks.Some may thing getting a job is successful
( I am sure that it is!). Others may have different ideas but if in your own mind you have achieved that success, i.e. what you set your sights on , then you have to be looked on as successful, but it is personal to the individual.

That's a very good point :)

I would agree with luck being a very big factor in a lot of people's success, too.

You can only fail so many times though before you need to consider if it's the right thing for you.

Why does luck factor into being successful? I think that's really unfair to anyone who has had any success in their life that they have worked hard for. By saying luck plays a big part you almost dismiss their efforts.

Following on from my last marketing thread, I was wondering what makes some successful when others fall by the wayside.

Is it just sheer grit and determination to succeed.?
Is it having an edge over your competitors, with fresh ideas?
Is an understanding of what people really want/need?
The ability to get on with others?
Having a natural talent?
Intelligence?

Comments please.

Ruthlessness
Less moral scruples
Ego

Edit: ok, Drive and Luck feature in there as well

Why do some people think success means you are unpleasant?

Why do some people think success means you are unpleasant?


Because that's usually precisely what it means. Nice people don't float to the top.

StarSparkle

You can only fail so many times though before you need to consider if it's the right thing for you.

Why does luck factor into being successful? I think that's really unfair to anyone who has had any success in their life that they have worked hard for. By saying luck plays a big part you almost dismiss their efforts.

No, I don't think so. I certainly didn't mean to diminish anyone's efforts.

I think I was looking at my own situation. The only thing I've ever been successful at is academic work - I was lucky to be born with the kind of brain that makes it relatively easy for me, I was lucky to be born into a family that supported me while I did it. That doesn't detract from my efforts, it just puts them into perspective a little bit.

Sorry if I offended you, WYEXILE, but I still think that in a lot of cases luck can play a huge part, depending on what kind of perspective you take. Little Buzz's point about the global perspective is a good example.

Because that's usually precisely what it means. Nice people don't float to the top.

StarSparkle

Do you think 'success' is a relative term though? Are you suggesting that, on a global scale, nearly everyone in the developed world is not as nice as nearly everyone in less developed countries?

Nobody 'floats' to the top, they work their way there. I know several successful people who earned their success with loads of hard work, the guts to take some risks, and a tiny bit of luck.

Who do you know who is successful and unpleasant?

Maybe it's just me, but I see this thread turning into another lets attack those more successful than ourselves (however you define success). I know a lot of what I would consider successfull people, that is those who have succeeded academically, career wise, in a chosen sport etc and every single one of them has dedicated huge amounts of time and effort to what they do. To say luck played a part or that they succeeded because they are unpleasant is really unfair.

Do you think 'success' is a relative term though? Are you suggesting that, on a global scale, nearly everyone in the developed world is not as nice as nearly everyone in less developed countries?

Nobody 'floats' to the top, they work their way there. I know several successful people who earned their success with loads of hard work, the guts to take some risks, and a tiny bit of luck.

Who do you know who is successful and unpleasant?

Two words - "Hucknall" and "Mick". Rearrange them any way you like.

Two words - "Hucknall" and "Mick". Rearrange them any way you like.

Man click Hulk?

Maybe it's just me, but I see this thread turning into another lets attack those more successful than ourselves (however you define success). I know a lot of what I would consider successfull people, that is those who have succeeded academically, career wise, in a chosen sport etc and every single one of them has dedicated huge amounts of time and effort to what they do. To say luck played a part or that they succeeded because they are unpleasant is really unfair.

Well, I can't make it any clearer than I did already. But just to spell it out for you - I have dedicated huge amounts of time and effort, and I still think that luck has played a part in my success, such as it is.

If I'm being unfair to myself, so be it, but I prefer to call it realism.

Well, I can't make it any clearer than I did already. But just to spell it out for you - I have dedicated huge amounts of time and effort, and I still think that luck has played a part in my success, such as it is.

If I'm being unfair to myself, so be it, but I prefer to call it realism.

Or modesty.

Maybe it's just me, but I see this thread turning into another lets attack those more successful than ourselves (however you define success). I know a lot of what I would consider successfull people, that is those who have succeeded academically, career wise, in a chosen sport etc and every single one of them has dedicated huge amounts of time and effort to what they do. To say luck played a part or that they succeeded because they are unpleasant is really unfair.

When I suggested luck might play a part in success it certainly wasn't an attack on anyone more talented or successful. However, the entertainment industry has some prime examples of 'success' in fame and monetary terms that have definitely included an element of luck. I wonder what qualities we could attribute to Jade Goody or Kerry Katona that has made them a 'success' in their own, and other people's eyes? And didn't luck or fate play a part?

i think motivation is key, i dont have any i'm afraid hence why i'm posting on here and not working

^^^^^^^^^^
Gotta admire the boy's honesty :)

Maybe it's just me, but I see this thread turning into another lets attack those more successful than ourselves (however you define success). I know a lot of what I would consider successfull people, that is those who have succeeded academically, career wise, in a chosen sport etc and every single one of them has dedicated huge amounts of time and effort to what they do. To say luck played a part or that they succeeded because they are unpleasant is really unfair.

Don't call it 'luck' then. Call it 'getting a break'.

Everyone gets good and bad luck. By applying oneself and having natural ability, one can take advantage of good breaks and possibly be better placed to overcome bad breaks.

I remember the FA cup game between the Blades and Arsenal where the ref got in the way and Arsenal went on to score. The point is, Arsenal got the break but they still had to go down the other end and score. If the ref had got in the way of a United player in the centre circle, how much difference to the score would it have made? None.

Don't call it 'luck' then. Call it 'getting a break'.

Everyone gets good and bad luck. By applying oneself and having natural ability, one can take advantage of good breaks and possibly be better placed to overcome bad breaks.

I remember the FA cup game between the Blades and Arsenal where the ref got in the way and Arsenal went on to score. The point is, Arsenal got the break but they still had to go down the other end and score. If the ref had got in the way of a United player in the centre circle, how much difference to the score would it have made? None.

Yes ,this is a better example of how it happens in real life, but I guess that to get a break in the first place you have to have done something to put yourself in to that situation, i.e., I only get to do networking if I accept an invitation to go to the meeting and then I may meet someone and get an introduction which could eventually lead to getting the work.

To have done something in the first place shows determination to overcome the barriers at all odds as a lot of people would simply give up when they met the first hurdle, if that makes sense.The ones who refuse to give in are ultimately the ones who become successful.

Yes ,this is a better example of how it happens in real life, but I guess that to get a break in the first place you have to have done something to put yourself in to that situation, i.e., I only get to do networking if I accept an invitation to go to the meeting and then I may meet someone and get an introduction which could eventually lead to getting the work.

To have done something in the first place shows determination to overcome the barriers at all odds as a lot of people would simply give up when they met the first hurdle, if that makes sense.The ones who refuse to give in are ultimately the ones who become successful.

I would qualify that as 'who have more chance of becoming successful'. Some people never give up their dreams, and who are determined never to give in - did they get it wrong, or were they just unlucky with their timing? http://www.trivia-library.com/people-who-became-famous-after-death/index.htm These famous people never quite made it during their lifetimes.

Yes ,this is a better example of how it happens in real life, but I guess that to get a break in the first place you have to have done something to put yourself in to that situation, i.e., I only get to do networking if I accept an invitation to go to the meeting and then I may meet someone and get an introduction which could eventually lead to getting the work.

To have done something in the first place shows determination to overcome the barriers at all odds as a lot of people would simply give up when they met the first hurdle, if that makes sense.The ones who refuse to give in are ultimately the ones who become successful.

Exactly what I was trying to say but said a lot better.

Exactly what I was trying to say but said a lot better.
Thank You very much

Maybe it's just me, but I see this thread turning into another lets attack those more successful than ourselves (however you define success). I know a lot of what I would consider successfull people, that is those who have succeeded academically, career wise, in a chosen sport etc and every single one of them has dedicated huge amounts of time and effort to what they do. To say luck played a part or that they succeeded because they are unpleasant is really unfair.

Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them.

Of course there are those who do not fit anywhere in to any of these...:hihi:

Maybe it's just me, but I see this thread turning into another lets attack those more successful than ourselves (however you define success). I know a lot of what I would consider successfull people, that is those who have succeeded academically, career wise, in a chosen sport etc and every single one of them has dedicated huge amounts of time and effort to what they do. To say luck played a part or that they succeeded because they are unpleasant is really unfair.
I think this is an aspect of personality and you have to be quite determined and refuse to give in if you want to achieve success. I do believe that the single most important character trait that an individual needs to enable them to get on in life is determination.

Just decide what you want,and then find a way of doing it.!

It depends on the definition of success. Don't know where I read that quote but it goes something like "Success is getting what you want, happiness is wanting what you get."