10 Traits To Thrive!

1) Welcoming Change

It’s a popular saying that “The only constant in life is change” — Heraclitus. Even though many people find it difficult to get out of their comfort zones, change can’t be avoided in life and in the environment. Every year we have different seasons; spring, summer, fall and winter. Even if we like one or the other, we have to get used to the different seasons if we want to enjoy the whole year. Same is true for life, too. Sometimes we get the job, the relationship, homes, finances, health and looks just as we want yet at other times, things change. Whether we lose the job, get promoted or the company moves, change is bound to happen. Same is true with relationships. Whether we get bored, someone gets sick/dies or moves away. Similar changes, whether positive or negative are bound to happen in every aspect of our lives, whether we want it or not. So, it’s smart to welcome it! Resistance is futile! Many people had planned 2020 very different than the way it turned out! There were vacations, get togethers, birthdays, parties, weddings and so many other things planned, then Covid happened and people are forced to keep distance, not travel or get together in large groups for their wellbeing and the wellbeing of others. How well did you accept that change? Think about it!

2) Faith & Learning To Let Go

“To have faith is to trust yourself to the water. When you swim, you don’t grab hold of the water, because if you do, you will sink and drown. Instead you relax, and float.” — Alan Watts

Many people feel the need to control every aspect of their life. That usually happens when people are insecure inside and have a trust issue. Even when we try, life and the events cannot be controlled. Things happen as they are supposed to. The only thing we can control is our reaction to the events, as they are taking place. Once you learn to have faith and let go, you will be able to enjoy the ride as life unfolds before your eyes. In the current pandemic, people who don’t trust the process, can’t let go, are some of the most stressed out, anxious and worried ones. What does that do? That gives you even more worry, anxiety and stress!

3) Adaptability

“And the most successful people are those who accept and adapt to constant change. This adaptability requires a degree of flexibility and humility most people can’t manage.” — Paul Lutus

Many times, people get so used to their way of life, their way of doing things, whatever it might be, they find it very difficult to adapt, even when the change is for the better. Lack of adaptability causes stress and anxiety, and robs life of joy. On the contrary, if you are able to adapt quickly, you will be able to enjoy almost every situation. Life gets easier once you learn to adapt and also makes you more creative. “A wise man adapts himself to circumstances as water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it.” — Anonymous

4) Flexibility

Sometimes, adaptability and flexibility are used together but both are so integral to a successful life that I am giving each a separate section. When people get set in their ways, it gets very difficult for them to adapt to changing situations and make the most of them, in order to achieve success. How many times have you heard someone say, “I am just like that.”? While it might work few times, it doesn’t serve you well long term. When you are flexible, you are willing to consider the best possible approach to any situation and thus, increase your chances of success. Being flexible becomes a blessing for successful relationships, both personal and professional. Taking the current pandemic into account, how do you think being flexible has helped you? Many people had to be flexible to adapt to the new guidelines of wearing masks in public, keeping 6 feet distance, having temperature checked at various places. Not being flexible turns people into complainers and how does that help?

5) Gratitude & Living In The Moment

Many people get so busy living in their past or worrying about their future, that they create unnecessary stress and negativity in their present, their now. What they fail to realize is that the past is already gone and no amount of regret, anger or worry can change it. I have this friend who is quite wealthy, successful in her career and has a good spouse. Yet, she is not able to enjoy any of those things as she is still full of bitterness about her ex who wronged her over a decade ago. Same is true if people live too much in the future. Some people are so busy running after money, they don’t make time for relationships and family and sometimes, it gets too late before they get aware, as is the case with Jake. Super successful C level career, now in his 70s and regrets not making time for a family, to spend his fortune on. Remember, no one is promised a tomorrow.“Be present in all things and thankful for all things.” — Maya Angelou

The wise Dr. Wayne Dyer summed it up so well, “Stop acting as if (the) life is a rehearsal. Live this day as if it were your last. The past is over and gone. The future is not guaranteed.”

6) Opportunity & Bright Side

Many times, when life throws curveballs, it’s difficult to see it as an opportunity to hit aces, especially, when we are the short end of the stick. Yet, if we learn to control our minds rather than have our minds control us, we will find the silver lining in every storm, the opportunity in every adversity. Let’s take this pandemic as an example. While I agree that it has upheaveled the whole earth, yet it has had its bright side as well. Pollution has decreased drastically, nature has taken over in a lot of places, people are spending more quality time with their families, learning new skills, appreciating nature and have the time to pause and breathe. Many are learning to not take things for granted anymore, even simple things like being able to go on a vacation, eat at a restaurant or work out in a gym. Learning to see the bright side gives rise to optimism and positivity. “Optimism is a happiness magnet. If you stay positive, good things and good people will be drawn to you.” — Mary Lou Retton

7) Daily Routine

What you do in your everyday life becomes a habit, whether positive or negative. Good habits can be equally addictive as bad ones but add more joy to your life. Once you know of someone’s regular habits, you will be able to predict their character and thus their life. In order to achieve your goals and get really successful, it’s very important to have an effective daily routine and convert it into a regular habit. Following an effective, healthy daily routine, keeps you responsible and in charge of the quality of your life. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” — Aristotle. We are here to help you create an amazing routine for your life!

8) Simple Acts Of Kindness

No matter what life brings your way, if you cultivate the habit of regular, simple acts of kindness, you will always have something to be happy about. When I talk about the act of kindness, I don’t mean doing someone a favor and expecting something in return or having to spend a fortune. If you have the means, do it but even if you don’t, you can still be kind. Kindness doesn’t have to cost anything. Start with being kind to yourself and to others. I ask you to start with yourself first as you can’t pour from an empty cup. Whether you help the less fortunate or help make someone’s day brighter, every act of kindness counts. As Dale Carnegie said wisely, “You have it easily in your power to increase the sum total of this world’s happiness now. How? By giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or discouraged. Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime.”

9) Physical Activity

Being physically active is integral to being successful! Apart from having a positive impact on our health, being active helps us get endorphins and thus get happier and more alive, no matter what we are doing. Getting active on a regular basis is integral for having a healthy body. A healthy body is integral for a healthy mind and spirit. It not only changes your body, it changes your mood, attitude and the quality of your life. Even on days when life gives you a lemon, getting active or working out helps transform your emotions and you might not just get over it quickly, you might start making lemonades. “Take care of your body, it’s the only place you have to live” — Jim Rohn

10) Growth mindset

When you make learning a way of life, you keep on growing as long as you live. No matter where you are in life right now, you can make the choice to grow, to learn and make your life your own masterpiece! Learning is easier when we are young and not set in our habits and when we have the safety net of our parents/elders and teachers. When we are on our own and life happens, we usually have couple of choices, whether to learn and grow or stay fearful, limited in the comfort zone! In order to grow, it’s necessary to take calculated risks, even if we make mistakes, even if it brings pain. Learning from the pain and mistakes is what leads to growth. So, don’t give in to fear, take the risks and even if nothing else, you will have the satisfaction that you gave it your best shot! “Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So, throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” — H. Jackson Brown, Jr.

We would love to hear what traits keep you happy & successful!