Not everyone has the courage to drive success in their lives. And it’s not like they don’t want to. Who wouldn’t want to reach long-term goals and live meaningfully?
But for many, the lack of motivation can put a stopper to their dreams. It’s like a cancer that prevents people from being the best version of themselves.
So, what motivates people to shoot for excellence? How can we spark our inner desires? What can we do to be more successful?
In today’s post, I want to share 8 common factors that drive successful people. Let’s dive straight into it.
1. Ambitions to Be the Best
Do you want to lie flat or take huge strides toward your lofty goals? It’s a simple yet powerful question; it could determine your future.
Successful people are filled with ambitions to lead their ideal life. They aren’t afraid to walk the long, treacherous journey to success.
Meanwhile, the rest of the masses lack the desire to work hard. But will that mindset get you anywhere?
Sorry to burst your bubble, but no savior will carry you to your dreams. You can only grit your teeth and walk forward.
Since we only have one life, dream ambitiously. No matter how difficult the path is, put in your 100% effort to get what you want. To avoid regret, do not settle on a gray and stale life with zero improvements.
Set small milestones to reward your hard work. Envision the happy ending and see things until the very end. It’s the least you can do.
2. Overcome Challenges
Successful people are always keen on putting themselves to the test. They love a challenge and don’t shy away from overcoming trials.
In the business world, we hear that success isn’t without risks. And that’s absolutely right. Everything in life has a margin of risk.
Playing the safe side will limit your future accomplishments. Most don’t take the time to explore a potential business venture because they “have a decent job with a steady income.” Or they have the excuse of “I don’t want to put myself through that kind of stress.”
These thoughts will hurt you in the long run, such as:
- Less money in the piggy bank
- No room for self-improvement
- Lack of imagination and creativity
- Never learning a new skill
To drive success in your life, be a risk-taker. Get motivated to move out of your comfort zone and encourage personal growth.
Plus, a stress-free lifestyle won’t be out of the ballpark. You can have the cake and eat it, but the key is a proper work-life balance.
3. Learn and Improve Every Day
Education is not limited to school; it’s a lifelong process of seeking knowledge and developing your expertise.
The top 1% stand out from the crowd because they refuse to live in a colorless world. They make it a habit to improve themselves day by day.
Successful entrepreneurs consciously strive to expand their horizons. They want to see the sky above the clouds. After all, the world is boundless. There are always opportunities to grow as a person.
Read a book every week. Meet like-minded people who are passionate about work. You can get their opinions about certain subjects and learn something new.
And if you are overwhelmed by all of this, don’t be. Learning is all about accumulating life experiences. There is no greater inspiration than knowing you can be the best version of yourself.
4. Give Others a Helping Hand
How can you call yourself successful if you don’t share it with everyone? Those who made it to the big leagues started as humble students.
Pro golfers, entrepreneurs, and CEOs—these people likely had role models who were a source of inspiration. If not, the profession of coaching wouldn’t exist today.
Their success might not have been possible without advice from mentors to guide them in the right direction. Hence, they are eager to help others in the same way they received help.
I’m friends with someone who worked for decades at Microsoft with a cushy 6-figure salary. He retired several years ago and later became a professor to spread his knowledge. And he would always say that he’s doing it for “fun.”
Instead of sipping cocktails at the beach or traveling the world, he’s focused on cultivating the future generation. Now that’s someone worth befriending. He knows the proper etiquette of passing it forward.
5. Financial Security
Money is one of the biggest stressors in people’s lives. Without money, you can forget about living happily.
Food requires money. Having a place to sleep requires money. Even clean water isn’t accessible in some parts of the world.
As long as you have money, you have nothing to worry about. But for those without money, there is everything to worry about.
Using the carrot-and-stick approach, many work hard to chase money. They invest, save, and take side hustles to boost their income.
But remember not to be obsessed with money. It’s not about how much money you make but how much you get to keep. After all, you want to secure your financial future, not waste your dough on exotic sports cars.
Real successful people stay hyper-focused on building wealth to achieve financial freedom. They know that more money is better to give their family and kids the best of the world. It can mean an extra vacation trip each year to the Bahamas.
So they do the work knowing their efforts are well worth it and don’t complain about it.
6. Change of Pace
If you feel stuck in the mud and lack genuine changes in life, it’s a clear sign of being unmotivated.
People without motivation don’t encourage a change of pace. Every day is the same: wake up, go to work, and commute back home. Rinse and repeat.
What motivates people to drive lasting success and joy is to paint their lives anew. They want to add spice to each day.
Attending a social event, meeting new people, or learning a new language—there are countless ways to break the habit of inaction.
You might be in a vicious cycle, feeling frustrated and burned out. If these feelings are bottled within you, let them become an unstoppable tsunami.
Embrace the urgency to change and make it happen now. At that point, success would be around the corner.
7. Fame and Recognition
Fame is one reason to be motivated to drive success in yourself. No one wants to be forgotten.
Whether it is proving your colleague wrong or something else, you want your accomplishments to bloom into dazzling stars.
Even if it sounds pretentious, there is nothing wrong with that. Of course, like all things, keep your desires in moderation.
Don’t be like those celebrities on the internet who constantly seek attention. Having fame is an ego-booster and can be self-destructive if you overdo it.
For example, on social media, people share photos of every happening in their lives. Whether dining at restaurants or partying at a friend’s place, every event is captured. They also fixate on getting more followers for their self-importance.
All of that sounds bad, but if you hope to be recognized through success instead and keep it at a healthy level, it can translate into productive, meaningful work.
8. Passion for Work
The most crucial factor that motivates people is passion. Why do you think successful people can fight a long-winded battle for goals? They have a sense of purpose.
When you are passionate about your work, you make steady progress. You are willing to sacrifice time and sleep to accomplish what you want.
Most people are unable to develop a passion. They dread Mondays and head into their office cubicle, already hoping to go home 5 minutes in.
“Drifting, without aim or purpose, is the first cause of failure.”
-Napoleon Hill
It’s arduous to be energized when you don’t feel attached to your work. So to get you back on your feet, find your passion.
If you can’t find it, keep looking for it. You must have your shoes tied before treading the road to success.
Final Thoughts
Finding what motivates you will trigger a transformation. It will be like a chain reaction, empowering your career and personal life.
Choose the factor that most resonates with you. Or pick a few to increase your chances of success. To be a winner, you need all the motivation you can get.
And when you find your motivation, you will create a bright future, a thousand times more wonderful than I can imagine.
So take decisive steps toward your desired lifestyle. Conquer your hopes and dreams to reach lasting excellence.
