How do you define a successful life? Is it by how much money or stuff you have amassed, or is it by the legacy you leave behind? All too often we equate a successful life with material possessions. Yet, there are millions of people out there who lead successful, fulfilled lives who may be of modest means. They may not be rich in the financial sense, but they are rich in life and values.
So what are the things we should strive for to make our lives successful and have a positive impact on those around us? Here is a list of traits that I think defines what true success in life is all about. Does your list differ?
- Sincerity. Be sincere in your actions. Don’t try to deceive or impress others. Be yourself, and do what you feel is right based on your values and beliefs. You will be surprised at how people accept you when you stop trying to be someone you aren’t.
- Unfeigned. Be genuine in what you do; your actions speak louder than your words. Don’t falsify or embellish events that may have happened. Don’t say one thing and do the other.
- Wholehearted. Be enthusiastic about what you do. Show it. Be committed to life and everything that you set out to accomplish in life. Devote yourself to your family, friends, and community and commit yourself to being the best father, husband, wife, mother, friend, and neighbor you can be.
- Honest. Be honest in your dealings with yourself and with others. When others interact with you, let them see someone who is reputable, respectable and genuine. Do what you say you will do and never use fraud or deception to get ahead in life. Let ethics, morals, and honor be your compass.
- Heartfelt. When you do something for someone, or they do something for you, let your thanks and emotion be openly and outwardly expressed towards them.
- Hearty. Be someone who displays an honest, warm, and exuberant personality to those around them. Let your feelings show and let them be genuine when they do.
- Humility. Don’t lead a life thinking you are better than others or are superior to those around you. Modesty and humbleness will leave a far more ever lasting impact on people than trying to show off.
- Personal integrity. Always follow your heartfelt values, and never let a situation or anyone steer you away from doing what you know is right. Be someone that people can look up to and respect and not someone who trades his or her moral values for material gains in life.
- Incorruptibility. Let it be known that you stand firm for what you believe in and that your morals, values and actions are not for sale. Don’t let outside forces corrupt the person you are.
- Sound. Show good judgment and sense in life. Don’t let prejudices or emotions cloud your judgment.
- Whole. Be focused on what you want to achieve in life. Give everyone you interact with your complete and undivided attention.
- Courtesy. Practice good manners even though others around you may not.
- Civility. Graciousness and respect go a long way in life. What is more, they are viral – when people see you doing it they are more apt to practice civility themselves. Be kind to others and extend courtesy towards them. Don’t interrupt people when they speak and don’t dominate the conversation.
- Wisdom. Gain from the wisdom that is inside you. Understand the inner qualities of people and learn how to understand situations that might be different than we are used to.
- Charity. Practice kind, gentle, and compassionate treatment of others – especially those who may be undeserving. Learn to extend a hand to help others, even though they themselves may not have helped you.
- Empathy. Be aware that each person is different and may have different values and beliefs than those that you hold. Be understanding of the feelings and thoughts of others without having to be told or reminded of them.
- Sympathy. Share your feelings with others and understand the emotional situations that people go through. Put yourself in their shoes.
- Compassion. When someone is in distress, reach out with a genuine interest in helping alleviate their suffering.
- Altruism. Think of others without thinking of yourself. Do good things for people without expecting something in return for yourself.
- Magnanimous. Be generous in life. Give of your time, money and wisdom. Share with others so they can see the true joy and adventures of life themselves.
There are the qualities I think helps lead a person to life a successful life. Clearly everyone's views will differ, as they should. What are some qualities that you think define success in life?
Written by David B. Bohl of Slow Down Fast.
译文:
成功生活的20个品质
以什么标准判定成功的生活？以拥有的金钱或财富？或者是留下的遗产？很多人把成功生活与物质财富等同起来。但是，有成千上万的人过着一种成功的、充实的生活，他们也许没有很多财富。他们在经济上并不算富裕，但是他们在生活上，在人生价值上是富人。
因此，为了成功的生活，为了对我们周围的人有积极的影响，我们应该追求什么？我想，真正成功的生活不外乎如下几点。还有其它不同意见吗？
1. 真诚。做事要真诚。不要试图欺骗或强迫他人。身体力行做那些按照自己的价值观和信仰认为是正确的事情。就会惊奇的发现，以体现自我的方式做事，人们会多么接受你啊。
2. 真实。做事要真实，要言行一致；行动比言语要有说服力。对事实不要歪曲伪造或者文过饰非，也不要说一套做一套。
3. 全身心投入。做事要满腔热情。并且要表现出来。要忠于生活，忠于要完成的任何一件事情。对家庭、朋友、社会要乐于奉献。努力做一个好父亲、好丈夫、好妻子、好母亲、好朋友、好邻居。
4. 诚实。对自己对他人要诚实。与他人交往时，要让他们认为你是一个有威望的、可尊敬的、和真诚的人。遵守诺言，绝不能用其欺骗或者伪装的手段取得成功。遵守道德、公德、诚实为人作为人生指南。
5. 诚挚的感谢。 你为别人做事，或者别人为你做事时，要公开的表示你的感谢或热情。
6. 热情。向周围的人展现你的真诚、热心和活泼的个性。让你的感情真诚地展现出来。
7. 谦虚。 不要总认为比其他人好，总比你周围的人优秀。朴实和谦逊要比炫耀和卖弄留给人们更长久的印象。
8. 正直。坚持自己的价值观，不受环境或某人的影响，做自己认为不应该做的事情。做受人尊敬的人，不做有损道义而换取利益的人。
9. 廉洁。要坚信你的信仰、道德、价值观是不可出卖的。不要让外界的诱惑而玷污自我。
10. 稳健不感情用事。在生活中表现良好的判断和明智的选择。不要让偏见和个人感情左右你的判断。
11. 用心专一。专注你的生活目标。对你接触的人投以全身心的关怀。
12. 彬彬有礼。举止良好，即使他人做不到，你也要做到彬彬有礼。
13. 文明。礼貌和尊重他人永远是受欢迎的。更重要的是，文明的行为是有感染力的--当别人看到你很文明，他们也会变得文明。友好地、礼貌地对待他人。不要打断别人的讲话，不要和别人交谈时总喋喋不休。
14. 智慧。发挥你的智慧，定能受益匪浅。理解别人内心所想，学会换位思考。
15. 乐善好施。对他人友好、大度、富有同情心，甚至对那些不值得这样对待的人。学会伸出你的手帮助他人，尽管这些人不可能帮助你。
16. 人情味。要知道每个人是不同的，他们和你会有不同的价值观和信仰。要理解他们的感情和想法，不要对别人的行为说三道四。
17. 同情心。和他人交流你的感想，理解别人的感情世界，设身处地为别人着想。
18. 爱心。当别人遇到困难，真诚地伸出援助之手帮助别人减轻痛苦。
19. 利他主义。毫不利己专门利人。为人做好事不贪图回报。
20. 慷慨。在生活中要慷慨。舍得为他人花时间、金钱、和智慧。和他人分享你的快乐，也会使别人感到生活的快乐和美好。
这是我总结的帮助人们成功生活的几点品质。显然，每人的观点可能不同。你认为还有其它的关于成功生活的品质吗？
作者：David B. Bohl of Slow Down Fast.