Positive Traits for Success

Below there are 30 traits and short exercises for you to start developing the elements and characteristics that all successful people possess.

We hope you will find them useful and helpful in bringing about the changes you desire.

Every exercise will contain a different trait that you'll want to take a look at and see if you need help with. Chances are you'll want to look at EVERY one of them!

Each exercise is short and sweet but contains the seeds to develop new thought patterns. This is especially true if you memorize it to help program your mind to absorb these traits that are so important to your success.

We'll be covering:
1. Poise
2. Optimism
3. Wisdom
4. Earnestness
5. Realization
6. Patience
7. Deliberateness
8. Faith
9. Unselfishness
10. Promptitude
11. Health
12. Silence
13. Self-confidence
14. Sincerity
15. Concentration
16. Love
17. Power
18. Temperance
19. Sympathy
20. Geniality
21. Truth
22. Speech
23. Duty
24. Purity
25. Definiteness
26. Integrity
27. Justice
28. Tact
29. Imagination
30. Personality

These exercises will take maybe a minute or two to read but if you take them with you for the day - take them with you for your life - then they will help to start a positive internal dialogue that will lead to profound and great changes in your life.

Poise
Today I will avoid all nervous and unnecessary movements of the body, and all thoughts that cause waste of energy; I will cultivate calmness, repose, peacefulness, and deliberateness.

Exercise
Sit still, thoroughly relax the body, empty the mind of distracting thoughts, and concentrate on the following:

1. Poise which gives power.
2. Poise which gives purpose.
3. Poise which gives self-control.
4. Poise which discloses possibilities.
5. Poise which accumulates mental force.

The star of the unconquered will, he rises in my breast, serene, and resolute, and still, and calm, and self-possessed - Longfellow.

Optimism
Persist in seeing the bright side of life, remembering that'' He that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast." Be optimistic; believe in the triumph of good over evil. "Today is mine.''

Exercise
Dwell intently upon these thoughts:
1. A smile disarms anger and discontent.
2. What I look for, that I find.
3. Believe in the world's betterment.
4. The best time to be happy is now.
5. There is no evil, but thinking makes it so.

Give us, oh, give us, the man who sings at his work! He will do more in the same time—he will do it better he will persevere longer. One is scarcely sensible of fatigue while he marches to music. The very stars are said to make harmony as they revolve in their spheres - Carlyle.

Wisdom
Develop common sense; observe closely, think clearly, judge prudently; be discreet; think before you speak; be serious; today aim particularly to form judicious and accurate judgments; grow daily in mental power and discernment.

Exercise
Think deeply on these thoughts:
1. Wisdom is better than riches.
2. To know is to conquer.
3. ' I am as great as my thoughts.'
4. My mental power is unlimited
5. I know more to-day than yesterday.

Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom; and with all thy getting get understanding - Proverbs.

Earnestness
Be eager for achievement; get the best by doing the best; be deeply sincere; concentrate; become interested; be determined; resolve to succeed; be ambitious and energetic; feel strong and active. Motto for to-day: '' This one thing I do!"

Exercise
Say these resolutely:
1. Do but one thing at a time.
2. A spirit of enterprise animates me.
3. My happiness grows out of earnestness.
4. I know no limitations.
5. I concentrate as never before.

I am in earnest. I will not equivocate; I will not excuse; I will not retreat a single inch; and I will be heard - William Lloyd Garrison.

Realization
Ask yourself: What abilities have I? What can I do best? What should I develop most? How can I use my resources to the best advantage? “How can I employ my unused power? What do I lack? Such questions disclose needs and help to apply abilities in newer and larger ways.

Exercise
Dwell on these:
1. I can use only what I know.
2. I am what I am.
3. Thought can achieve wonders.
4. My efficiency grows through exercise.
5. I realize my power for great achievement.

Stating the thing broadly, the human individual usually lives far within his limits; he possesses powers of various sorts which he habitually fails to use. He energizes below his maximum, and he behaves below his optimum - William James.

Patience
This wins self-respect, and the good-will of others. It is a sign of superiority. Maintaining an unruffled temper under all circumstances will give vastly increased power and advantage. Resolve to be kind, courteous, thoughtful, and forbearing.

Exercise
Repeat the following several times with great earnestness:
1. Patience gives me power.
2. Patience overcomes difficulty.
3. Patience is a virtue.
4. Patience weakens prejudice.
5. Patience wins friends.

Still achieving, still pursuing, Learn to labor and to wait - Longfellow.

Deliberateness
Carefully weigh facts and arguments; think deeply; try to reach correct and mature judgments; reflect much; look before you leap; avoid hasty conclusions; take all the time necessary; think and speak deliberately.

Exercise
Meditate upon the following:
1. Think before you speak.
2. Premeditation saves one from mistakes.
3. To weigh well is to do well.
4. Foresight is better than afterthought.
5. Haste makes waste.

Power can do by gentleness that which violence fails to accomplish; and calmness best enforces the imperial mandate - Claudianus.

Faith
Faith gives confidence and encouragement. Faith bridges difficulties and accomplishes the seeming impossible. All power comes from it. Through faith we look into the future with assurance. "I can; I will."

Exercise
Concentrate upon these and similar thoughts:
1. Faith can remove mountains.
2. Faith has inspired all great minds.
3. Faith is evidence of things not seen.
4. Faith disarms all fear.
5. Faith points the way.

I held it truth, with him who sings to one clear harp in diverse tones, that men may rise on stepping-stones of their dead selves to higher things. –Tennyson.

Unselfishness
Be generous and kind. Give to others. By daily acts of kindness, and words of cheer, make others happy. Think good thoughts for all mankind. Let the supreme joy be to serve others.

Exercise
Think deeply on these:
1. All I have is what I gave away.
2. It is more blest to give than to receive.
3. To give much is to have much.
4. I am thoughtful to the old and poor.
5. To-day I shall do at least one act of kindness.

Give unto me, made lowly wise, the spirit of self-sacrifice; the confidence of reason given; and in the light of truth Thy bondman let me live! - Wordsworth.

Promptitude
Be up and doing. To-day let everything "be on time. Delays are dangerous. Punctuality gives poise and peace of mind. Time flies. Keep every engagement and obligation promptly. Men know us by our promptitude.

Exercise
Repeat these positively:
1. He who hesitates is lost
2. I do everything on time.
3. Promptitude gives many advantages.
4. Procrastination is the thief of time.
5. Finish to-day's business to-day.

Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it. No idleness, no laziness, no procrastination; never put off 'till tomorrow what you can do to-day - Chesterfield.

Health
A strong mind in a strong body is the ideal. Stop everything that impairs health, and do those things that will build it up. Good health is a vital element of courage. Joy in work will daily strengthen physical forces. Aim to develop endurance.

Exercise
Hold in the mind the positive thought of perfect health.
1. Breathe deeply.
2. Masticate food thoroughly.
3. Sleep eight hours.
4. Give ten minutes to exercise.
5. Have one "play time" daily.

nor love, nor honor, wealth nor pow'r, can give the heart a cheerful hour when health is lost. Be timely wise; with health all taste of pleasure flies - Gay.

Silence
Listen much to-day. Silence gives thought time to mature and deepen. It suggests power in reserve. Through frequent periods of silence think things out to a conclusion and form sound judgments.

Exercise
Silently dwell on these:
1. Talk most and you learn least.
2. Still waters run deep.
3. Real growth is silent as it is gradual.
4. The mightiest forces in nature are silent.
5. To hear the spiritual you must listen.

Silence is the element in which great things fashion themselves together; that at length they may emerge, full-formed and majestic, into the light of life, which they are henceforth to rule - Carlyle.

Self-confidence
Assurance, boldness, courage, positiveness, resolution, initiative, leadership, bravery, independence. These thoughts hold uppermost in the mind. Claim your own now. Grow in greatness and self-confidence. Be self-reliant. Be equal to every emergency. "I can do all things.''

Exercise
Say these boldly:
1. Self-confidence is essential to success.
2. I rely wholly upon myself.
3. The greatest possession is self-possession.
4. My self-confidence grows daily.
5. I have a high and true estimate of myself.

It is easy in the world to live after the world's opinion; it is easy in solitude to live after our own; but the great man is he who in the midst of the crowd keeps with perfect sweetness the serenity of solitude - Emerson.

Sincerity
This is truth in the concrete. Cultivate the strictest fidelity to truth, both in thought and speech. Sincerity will be manifest in frankness of manner, directness of purpose, and uprightness of life and conduct.

Exercise
Affirm these with great sincerity:
1. Sail under true colors.
2. Mean what you say.
3. Do everything thoroughly.
4. What the heart thinks let the tongue speak.
5. Do not equivocate, prevaricate, or exaggerate.

You know I say just what I think, and nothing more nor less, and, when I pray, my heart is in my prayer. I can not say one thing and mean another: If I can't pray, I will not make believe.
Longfellow.

Concentration
Fix the mind upon one thing at a time. Be interested in what you do. Persistently work for a definite object. Take new responsibilities. Apply yourself diligently. Let desire for achievement make you concentrate with power on the work in hand.

Exercise
Hold these in your mind:
1. Do only one thing at a time.
2. Examine things closely.
3. Avoid everything that distracts.
4. Plan all work as well as you can.
5. Concentrate with all your power.

I go at what I am about as if there were nothing else in the world for the time being. That's the secret of all hard-working men; but most of them can't carry it into their amusements - Charles Kingsley.

Love
This is "the greatest thing in the world." It means sympathy and willing sacrifice for others. "All the world loves a lover," and to be lovable is to attract and win. Let the heart go out to all mankind.

Exercise
Repeat these earnestly:
1. Love envieth not.
2. Love linketh noble minds.
3. Love sacrifices all things.
4. I love my neighbor as myself.
5. God is love

All thoughts, all passions, all delights, whatever stirs this mortal frame, all are but ministers of Love, and feed his sacred flame - Coleridge.

Power
Become equal to great achievements. Do everything with indomitable will and energetic purpose. Put your best into all you do. Accomplish greater things than ever before. Become daily more influential. Become positive, magnetic, strong. Be resolute and persevering. Become equal to every undertaking. '' I can and will do what I will to do.''

Exercise
Emphasize the following:
1. All power is mine.
2. I depend upon my own efforts.
3. True power comes from God.
4. Persistent effort spells success.
5. My power increases daily.

Give me a lever long enough and a prop strong enough, I can single-handed move the world - Archimedes.

Temperance
Practice sobriety, self-denial, and moderation. Be temperate in all things. Be strong and resolute. Make the most of yourself. As "the wish is father to the thought," think particularly of those things you desire to bring to pass. Keep yourself in strong and healthy condition.

Exercise
Affirm these earnestly:
1. Let your tastes be simple.
2. Avoid excess of every kind.
3. Daily practice self-restraint.
4. Be temperate in all things.
5. Abstain from that which will harm you.

Well observe the rule of not too much, by temperance taught in what thou eat'st and drink'st - Milton.

Sympathy
Feel kindly toward others. Be thoughtful and tolerant. Make the path smooth for others by acts of kindness and words of cheer. Practice self-forgetfulness. Help others to be happy, confident, hopeful, and successful.

Exercise
Think particularly of these things:
1. I am part of all I have met.
2. Grow strong through sympathy.
3. Be always gracious toward others.
4. Have sympathy for all human kind.
5. Constantly develop large-heartedness.

Yet, taught by time, my heart has learned to glow, for others' good, and melt at others' woe - Pope's Homer.

Geniality
Cheerfulness wins friends. The mind is lighted by mental sunshine, and reflects itself in the face. One can not be depressed while the corners of the mouth turn up. Make yourself attractive, magnetic, and interesting to others. Constantly influence and attract friends.

Exercise
Say these words smilingly:
1. I am always cheerful.
2. My life makes for happiness and success.
3. I smile in the face of trouble.
4. I am brighter and happier every day.
5. I am smiling now.

For it stirs the blood in an old man's heart; and makes his pulses fly, to catch the thrill of a happy voice, and the light of a pleasant eye - Willis.

Truth
Let the motto be "The truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.'' Think the truth, speak the truth, live the truth. Power and self-confidence come from consciousness of being right. Let the life be based upon truth.

Exercise
Repeat these words many times:
1. The truth at any cost.
2. Truth is born of honesty and sincerity.
3. I dare to be true.
4. I love truth for truth's sake.
5. The truth is always right.

Truth crushed to earth shall rise again: The eternal years of God are hers; but error, wounded, writhes in pain, and dies amid her worshipers - Bryant.

Speech
To-day use the deep tones of the voice. Speak deliberately, and articulate words clearly. Let the aim be to use simple, direct English. Avoid slang and loose expressions. Investigate every word whose meaning or pronunciation is doubtful.

Exercise
Practice these aloud.
1. Repeat e, a, aw, ah, o, oo.
2. Strike sharply he, ha, haw, ho, hoo.
3. Sing "bell," sustaining the "1."
4. Repeat rapidly be-ba-baw-bah-bo-boo.
5. Burst the voice on ba, baw, bo, boo.

Speak not at all, in any wise, till you have somewhat to speak; care not for the reward of your speaking, but simply and with undivided mind for the truth of your speaking - Carlyle.

Duty
Do the work that lies nearest. Do it as well as you can. Do it gladly. The reward of doing one duty is the power to do another. Be constantly inspired by a love of work well and faithfully done.

Exercise
Say these words positively:
1. I daily do my full duty.
2. My course is ever onward.
3. Duty is the path to success.
4. Duty knows no fear.
5. I dare to do my duty.

So nigh is grandeur to our dust, so near is God to man. When Duty whispers low, thou must, the youth replies, I can - Emerson.

Purity
Cultivate purity of mind and body. Guard against evil thoughts. Let moral integrity be a priceless possession. Personal example stimulates others. Practice self-restraint. Daily give strong spiritual and moral suggestions.

Exercise
Emphasize these thoughts:
1. To the pure all things are pure.
2. Purity begets pride and worthiness.
3. Clean hands, clean heart, clean conscience.
4. The windows of purity are always clear.
5. Purity is beauty of life.

To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man - Shakespeare.

Definiteness
Aim at definite results. Know precisely what you want and work directly for it.
Have fixed plans, and make every moment count toward their fulfillment. Decide everything carefully, and then push ahead with determination.

Exercise
Say these words definitely:
1. This one thing I do.
2. I know what I am working for.
3. I am energetic and resolute.
4. I accomplish definite things daily.
5. I will. I can. I will.

Thy purpose firm is equal to the deed: Who does the best his circumstances allow does well, acts nobly; angels could no more –Young.

Integrity
Let it be said of you: "His word is as good as his bond." Keep every promise, engagement, and obligation. Deal fairly and justly with every one. Build for eternity. Fear no man, because armed with honesty.

Exercise
Repeatedly affirm these thoughts:
1. Honesty is the best principle.
2. Honor peereth in the meanest habit.
3. I am honest with all men.
4. To lose my honor is to lose myself.
5. My honesty dispels fear.

Integrity of life is fame's best friend, which nobly, beyond death, shall crown the end - John Webster.

Justice
Cultivate a spirit of "fair play." Take a large view of things. Try to see the "other man's" standpoint. Love justice and hate iniquity. Believe that justice and wisdom will conquer in the end. Justice teaches pity, liberality, and regard for the interests of others.

Exercise
Emphasize these:
1. Justice is an attribute of God.
2. It is one of the greatest virtues.
3. Justice triumphs.
4. Mercy seasons justice.
5. Justice is a form of greatness.

Thrice is he arm'd that hath his quarrel just, and he but naked, tho lock'd up in steel, whose conscience with injustice is corrupted - Shakespeare.

Tact
Aim to say the right thing, at the right time, in the right way. Try not to give offense. Cultivate daily a ready power of nice perception and discrimination. Do what is required by the circumstances. Let manner and speech be conciliatory.

Exercise
Read these carefully:
1. Be considerate toward others.
2. Weigh consequences carefully.
3. Cultivate a refined taste.
4. Study the fitness of things.
5. Think of what '' other men'' may think.

Talent is power, tact is skill; talent is weight, tact is momentum; talent knows what to do, tact knows how to do it; talent makes a man respectable, tact will make him respected; talent is wealth, tact is ready money - Anonymous.

Imagination
Fill the mind with helpful, inspiring pictures. All great things are first wrought out in the imagination. Constantly see before you the kind of man you wish to be. Picture a great definite life purpose, and work for it deliberately, and energetically.

Exercise
Picture these vividly:
1. What kind of person do I wish to be?
2. What great purpose have I in life?
3. What large thing can I do for others?
4. What must I accomplish to-day?
5. What is my highest ambition?

And as imagination bodies forth the forms of things unknown, the poet's pen turns them to shape and gives to airy nothingness a local habitation and a name - Shakespeare.

Personality
Build daily a strong, magnetic personality. Command success. Grow in power. Be strong in thought and purpose. Become a leader. Develop the best in you. Be self-confident. Believe your power is unlimited. Be successful.

Exercise
Affirm these forcefully:
1. I am a strong personality.
2. I develop myself daily.
3. My power grows through use.
4. I undertake larger responsibilities.
5. I express my power through deeds.

Great Master, touch me with thy skilful hand, let not the music that is in me die; Great Sculptor, hew and polish me, nor let, hidden and lost, thy form within me lie - Adapted.

I wish you great success in your trip toward your goals. Remember, have fun along the way!