Every woman has her interpretation of success, but there are certain characteristics that most successful women share. These traits have been identified over decades of evaluating female entrepreneurs and business leaders. Ann Marie Puig, a driven entrepreneur and philanthropist from Costa Rica, explains the traits needed by all women who somehow want to leave their own significant mark on the world.
Female entrepreneurs are deeply passionate about what they do. As the German philosopher Georg Wilhem Friedric said, “Nothing great has been made in the world without a great passion.” If a woman does not love what she does, she will not feel motivated enough to push her limits, to innovate and stand out professionally. But if you are passionate about your career, all effort and time invested, will be for you a pleasure and not an obligation.
Successful women do not require perfection in themselves or those around them. Asserts Puig, “It is a waste of time and energy to try to be perfect; that demand on any human being only leads to unhappiness. Successful women are aware that they can’t always do everything right. Sometimes you can be more productive by simply accepting that you’re not going to have everything finished. It can be difficult to learn to let go of some goals and responsibilities, but without a doubt, the effect of doing so is very liberating.”
You can afford to cross off your list goals that aren’t practical for you. Free yourself from the worry of unmet expectations. Judging yourself to be regarded as infallible will only cause you stress, affecting your emotional well-being. So, it’s essential to accept that sometimes things may not go perfectly.
Often, successful women are their own bosses. Many successful women have realized that if you are the boss, you can set your own rules. These women have decided to be in control of their own lives because they know that in this way, they can create a healthier, happier and more balanced environment in their work.
They believe they will succeed. Undoubtedly, a trait that distinguishes women who achieve their purposes is self-confidence and faith in their dreams. “Believing in your own success, no matter how crazy your idea may seem, is the first step to achieving it,” asserts Puig. “It’s key that you feel comfortable about your own success and have strong confidence and faith in yourself.”
Successful women are not afraid to take risks. To make a big leap in life requires the ability to stop playing it safe from time to time. Many enterprising women have a habit of pushing themselves out of their comfort zone. Women who succeed do not make reckless decisions, but they know how to take a calculated risk. They know that to win, it is necessary to risk.
Successful women know that “failure” goes hand in hand with success. Failure is not the opposite of success, but a springboard to it. Women with personal and professional success know that you cannot excel at all times and that it is an inevitable part of the path of dreams, to have failures. Failure is a catalyst for change and leads them to empower the best version of themselves.
They know how to foster genuine relationships. Having a support network is key to success. Maintaining friendships and forming new ones contribute to happiness and fostering genuine relationships for life. Successful women take great care of their friendships and make sure to leave a positive mark on every new person they meet, so their clients and professional contacts are also their friends.
Lastly, successful women know that they need to schedule time reserved for themselves, a time to be alone and detach from meetings, family responsibilities and networking events. A few hours to relax, to get to know each other better, to meditate and enjoy themselves. It can be a time that you give yourself for something you like, such as going to the gym, the theater, or getting a manicure; the important thing is that it is a time only yours.
