What makes people successful? Are they smarter or do they work harder than the rest of us? Are they risk takers or do they have powerful and influential friends?

There have been many studies conducted over the years about this very thing. Many of these studies involve industry leaders, entrepreneurs, etc., documenting the traits that contributed to their success. Below is a list of some of their common secrets to success.

1. Think Positively: It’s powerful to think positive thoughts. Many experts call this having a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA). Think success, not failure. Beware of a negative environment so don’t surround yourself with negative people. It can be ‘contagious’ much like the cold or flu.

This trait is one of the most important. Belief that you can accomplish your goals has to be unwavering. The moment you say to yourself “I can’t…”, then you won’t! Certainly, everyone’s attitude strays off target occasionally but... Someone said, “It’s ok to visit pity city, but you can’t stay and there comes a time when you need to leave.”

2. Document Personal Goals: Goals are general statements of what you want to achieve, while objectives are specific, measurable actions that help you achieve them. If they aren’t written down and reviewed regularly, you can lose focus.

Document your goals and have a plan to reach them? Does this mean like a project plan used at work? That’s exactly what it means. I recall something someone once said, “A New Year’s resolution that isn’t written down is just a dream, and dreams usually don’t come true.”

Goals are those measurable stepping stones that track your progress towards achievement. If your personal goals aren’t written down, do it now! Then post them where you can regularly see them. Can they change? Certainly, life is not static so adjust accordingly.

3. Take Action: Documenting one’s goals are important, but this won’t get the job done. Goals are nothing without action.

Some of your actions may be long-term, like finishing your MBA, while many will be small steps—but still meaningful! When you achieve a step, check it off and celebrate. What actions have you recently taken towards achieving your goals? If you haven’t been focused on these actions, start right now.

4. Embrace the Hard: Regardless of what you may have been told, success doesn’t come easy. Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Be persistent…never give up. There are no shortcuts.

Don’t shy away from it but embrace the hard. Doing things when you don’t want to, when you don’t feel like it, is good for you. Working hard opens up opportunities, it expands your horizons, it develops us. Overpowering hard is empowering.

5. Never Stop Learning: Learning is a journey, not a destination, so never stop! Take (or ask for) new assignments, go back to school, or read books.

Becoming a life-long learner is critical to our growth personally and professionally and leads to success. It’s funny that once you’re out of school you realize how enjoyable learning can be. What have you learned today?

Personally, it took me several years to complete my undergraduate degree. It was a challenge to work a full-time job, be married, and raise a family. Along the way, I often asked for new assignments so I could acquire new skills and demonstrate new capabilities. It did wonders for my career because it added to my foundation. The broader it is, the higher you can ascend professionally.

6. Pay Attention to Details: You don’t need to become a genius at analyzing details but don’t jump to conclusions. Take time to get the pertinent facts.

After making an error in judgement early in my career, my boss called me to his office. Instead of ‘bawling me out’, he pointed out what details I’d overlooked which would have changed the outcome. This stayed with me for the rest of my career. The message: it’s human to make mistakes if you learn to learn from them.

But...you must strike a balance between getting all the facts and making a risky decision with incomplete data – both are traits of successful people. Spend time gathering details but be careful of ‘analysis paralysis.’ Don’t stay in the status quo. It can come back to haunt you.

7. Stay Focused: Don’t let other people or things distract you. Remain laser focused on your goals and surround yourself with positive people. Don’t be distracted by the naysayers or tasks that are not helping you achieve your goals.

8. Don’t be Afraid of Failure: Being a follower is a sure way to mediocrity. Constantly think about innovative ways to make change happen then follow through on those break-out ideas. Ask yourself “What would I do if I wasn’t afraid of failure?”

9. Communicate Effectively: In his 1624 poem, the English poet John Donne, used what became a famous line “No man is an island...” No one is self-sufficient so we must rely on others. We need to learn to understand and motivate others.

Successful people develop and nurture a whole network of others. They do that by treating people openly, fairly and sometimes firmly. There is nothing wrong about being firm – just don’t cross the line.

10. Remain Honest and Dependable: It can be difficult to remain consistent, but honesty and dependability are critical traits of successful people. Take responsibility, otherwise the first nine traits won’t matter.