What Is the Best Predictor of Who Will Become Successful?

Luck. Many people think successful people are just lucky, so they sit and wait for luck to smile on them, and the wait drags on. Successful people expect to be lucky, so they prepare for it and seize it when it appears.

Vision. Many people think successful people have great visions, so they dream big dreams and keep on dreaming. Successful people have a vision and expect to achieve it, so they move toward it.

Plans. Many people think successful people make very detailed plans, so they wait for a complete plan before they start. Successful people have plans and expect them to work out, so they launch and revise the plan along the way.

Persistence. Many people think successful people are more persistent than they are, so they stop at the first obstacle. Successful people persist and expect results, so they keep going until the results arrive.

Intelligence. Many people think successful people are the smartest in the room, so they give up because they do not see themselves that way. Successful people expect that they are smart enough, and they do not waste time checking whether they are.

Education. Many people think successful people attended the right schools and earned the right grades. Successful people expect to succeed with the education they have, so they keep filling the gaps in their knowledge.

Money. Many people think successful people got their money somehow, so they give up because they did not get any. Successful people expect to find the money they need to succeed, and in the end they find it.

Being different. Many people think successful people are different from them, so they settle for average. Successful people expect to succeed, so they do not settle for the ordinary, and they achieve the extraordinary.

So what is the best predictor of who will succeed?

Expecting success, and then acting on that expectation with a boldness others may mistake for naivety.

You will be successful when you decide never to stop acting this way.

The definition of success differs from one person to another. It may be fame, money, status or something else. What matters is that you pursue the success you aspire to, and you will get there, God willing.