Four Essential Traits

4 Character Traits to Thrive Amid Change

Change is baked into humankinds’ evolutionary reality, but the rate of change is accelerating at remarkable levels.  And, it’s about to accelerate again. 

While ChatGPT is a virtual newborn, I think we all know that the long legs of AI will have a significant impact on the social and economic make up of our world.

Amongst this exponential change, emerges remarkable opportunities for those who are driven, creative, courageous and gritty.  Do you want to be a part of this exciting world of opportunity that is emerging in real time right before our eyes?     

Then this post if for you. 

“The secret to change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old but on building the new.”

-Socrates

There are four character traits that will give you the skillset you need to thrive right now. 

1. Acceptance.  

Denying or ignoring change (or sticking your head in the sand) will ensure that you are left behind.  We can’t stop change.  Remarkable new worlds are opening up and our decision to step in or not will define our future selves. 

• Self-Efficacy.

While related to self-understanding and self-management it is more.  It Is your belief in your capacity to act in ways necessary to reach specific goals.   Goals without skills and action are just dreams.   Self- Efficacy includes the learning of essential skills, building competencies, developing an attitude of excellence and doing the actions that are required to success.   This often means overcoming complicated psychological forms of resistance. 

• Curiosity.

Those who think they know, rob themselves the opportunity to learn.  Curiosity is a mindset, and it is the biggest common denominator among highly successful people.  I coach many people who have gone from making $100 – $200k to making $1m – $2m and the single most important thing they have changed is to shift to a mindset of curiosity.  The old school method of scripts, listing presentations and closing is mired in a fixed mindset of knowing and will cost you the success you are looking for.

• Grit.

Grit is an attitude, and it can be learned.   Angela Duckworth in her book, GRIT, defines it as “Passion and Perseverance over Long Periods of Time?”.  Not a day, a week or a month, but over a career.  As long as it takes.   It’s the hard work, the tenacity, stamina and courage essential to all success.  It’s accepting that failure is an integral part of success and that you cannot have one without the other.  It’s an acceptance of stepping into the discomfort and vulnerability associate with risk.  It’s facing your fear of failure. 

When I was new in real estate in 1985, I asked my coach how long I should keep calling people for, and his answer?  “Until you get an appointment stupid.”  He was a ridiculous coach, but that one comment gave me the perspective I needed to become successful. 

The only thing that is certain is change and the only way to be successful is to embrace it.   Develop these four-character traits, upskill for this market, be in action everyday towards your goals and focus on what matters to you.