8 traits of people who always succeed despite past failures, according to a psych expert

There’s a fine line between those who let past failures define them, and those who use them as stepping stones to success.

I’m Lachlan Brown, founder of Hack Spirit and a mindfulness enthusiast, and I’ve always been fascinated by this difference.

Through my work, I’ve delved into the minds of people who always succeed despite past failures. With the help of a psych expert, we’ve identified X key traits they all share.

So let’s dive in and explore these traits together. Trust me, it’s going to be an enlightening journey.

1) Embracing failure

Success doesn’t come without its fair share of failures. And let’s face it, failure is a tough pill to swallow.

It can be a blow to our ego, our confidence, and sometimes, our resolve. But the individuals who always succeed, they perceive failures differently.

Instead of seeing them as dead-ends, they view them as detours. They embrace failure not as a personal defeat, but as an invaluable lesson.

Experts tell us that these individuals understand that failure is a necessary part of growth. They don’t shy away from it. Instead, they face it head-on, learn from it and move forward.

The key is not to avoid failure, but to understand how to use it as a stepping stone towards success.

So next time you face a setback, remember this: it’s not the end of your journey. It’s just a bend in the road leading you towards your ultimate destination.

2) Persistence is key

Life has a way of throwing curveballs when you least expect them. I’ve experienced this firsthand.

A few years ago, I found myself at a crossroads. Hack Spirit was just a budding idea, and the challenges of bringing it to life were overwhelming.

I was constantly facing roadblocks. There were times when I doubted if I could keep going. But I did.

Why? Because of a trait that our psych expert insists is vital for success: Persistence.

Those who succeed despite past failures don’t throw in the towel at the first sign of trouble. They persist. They push through the hardships, the doubts, the naysayers, because they believe in their goal.

In my case, my persistence paid off. Hack Spirit grew from a fledgling idea to a platform that has helped countless people navigate their personal and professional lives.

It wasn’t easy. It required patience, hard work, and an unwavering belief in what I was doing.

But that’s the beauty of persistence. It can turn even the most daunting challenges into stepping stones for success.

3) They see opportunities, not obstacles

Here’s something to ponder on: The Chinese word for crisis is composed of two characters. One signifies danger, while the other represents opportunity.

This perfectly captures the mindset of individuals who succeed despite failures. They don’t see obstacles. Instead, they see opportunities for learning and growth.

It’s a shift in perspective that our psych expert says can make a world of difference.

When you look at problems as opportunities, you approach them differently. You become more solution-oriented, more innovative.

This ability to turn a negative situation into a positive opportunity is a key trait of resilient individuals. It’s what allows them to bounce back from failures and keep pushing towards their goals.

4) They practice detachment

Buddhism teaches us the importance of detachment, which is a concept often misunderstood.

Detachment doesn’t mean not caring or being indifferent. It means being fully involved in the present moment without being controlled by it. It’s about accepting things as they are and not clinging to outcomes.

Individuals who continuously succeed have mastered this concept. They’re passionate about their goals, but they don’t let the outcomes dictate their happiness or self-worth.

In my book, “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego,” I delve deeper into this concept. I explore how practicing detachment can help you navigate life’s ups and downs with grace and resilience.

These individuals understand that while they can control their actions, they can’t control the outcomes. So they focus on what they can control: their efforts, their attitudes, their responses.

When faced with failure, they don’t let it consume them. They acknowledge it, learn from it, and then let it go. This ability to detach from outcomes is what allows them to keep moving forward without getting bogged down by past failures.

After all, as the Buddha said, “You only lose what you cling to.”

5) They are lifelong learners

Early on in my career, I had a belief that once I reached a certain level of success, learning would stop. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

The individuals who continuously succeed, they never stop learning. They are curious. They seek knowledge. They are always looking for ways to grow, both personally and professionally.

I’ve learned that the most valuable lessons often come from unexpected places.

It could be a book that challenges your views, a conversation that opens your eyes to a new perspective, or even a failure that teaches you resilience.

Learning doesn’t stop once we leave school or reach a certain age. It’s a lifelong journey. And those who embrace this journey are the ones who turn failures into stepping stones towards success.

So keep an open mind. Keep learning. Keep growing. Because the more you learn, the more you realize how much there’s still left to learn.

6) They embrace discomfort

This might sound counter-intuitive, but those who continually succeed are comfortable with being uncomfortable.

You see, growth doesn’t happen in your comfort zone. It happens when you step outside of it. When you push your boundaries. When you do things that scare you.

Our psych expert confirms this. They explain that discomfort is a sign that you’re challenging yourself, that you’re stepping into the unknown.

And it’s in these moments of uncertainty that we grow the most.

These individuals understand this. They don’t shy away from discomfort. They embrace it. They see it as a sign that they’re on the right track, that they’re pushing their boundaries and growing.

So, don’t be afraid of discomfort. Don’t let it hold you back. Embrace it, and let it guide you towards growth and success.

7) They cultivate a positive mindset

Maintaining a positive mindset is easier said than done, especially when you’re dealing with setbacks and failures. But those who continually succeed, they’ve mastered this art.

Instead of dwelling on the negative, they focus on the positive. They see the glass as half-full, not half-empty. They don’t let failures define them. Instead, they use them as fuel to keep going.

Psych experts explain that a positive mindset doesn’t mean ignoring the negatives. It means acknowledging them and then choosing to focus on the positives.

This shift in perspective can make a huge difference. It can turn challenges into opportunities, setbacks into comebacks.

8) They nurture resilience

Life is full of ups and downs. I’ve seen my fair share of both. But one thing I’ve learned is that resilience is key to navigating these highs and lows.

People who consistently succeed, they are resilient. They don’t let failures break them. They use them as stepping stones to bounce back stronger.

Resilience is not about never falling. It’s about getting back up each time you fall. It’s about facing challenges head-on and not letting them defeat you.

Psych experts believe that resilience is one of the most important traits for success. It’s what allows you to keep going, to keep pushing, despite the obstacles that come your way.

Embrace the challenges. Fall, get back up, and keep going. Because the road to success is not a straight line, it’s a winding path full of ups and downs. And it’s resilience that will help you navigate this path effectively.

It’s all about perspective

Success and failure are two sides of the same coin. They are not opposing forces, but rather interconnected aspects of our journey in life.

The individuals who consistently succeed, they understand this. They see failures not as roadblocks, but as stepping stones towards success.

This perspective shift is more than just a mindset. It’s a powerful tool that can transform your life. It can turn challenges into opportunities, setbacks into comebacks, failures into lessons.

In my book, “Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego,” I delve deeper into these concepts. I explore how changing your perspective can help you navigate life’s ups and downs with grace and resilience.

Every setback is a setup for a comeback. Every failure is a lesson in disguise. Every challenge is an opportunity to grow.

Embrace the journey. Embrace the failures. Embrace the growth. Because at the end of the day, it’s all about perspective.