6 Qualities I’ve Come To Admire In Others

A journey of self-improvement doesn’t have to be without guidance.

There’s nothing wrong with admiring people. I like to think we’re all on a journey in which we strive to become the best person we can be. Maybe some striver more than others, but if you peel back the layers of anyone’s personality, you’re going to find someone who wants to be a happier, better person.

I’m no exception.

Personal journeys of self-improvement can be deeply personal stories — not the sort of thing we go out of our way to share. Understandably, sharing in that manner can make one feel somewhat vulnerable.

At the same time, there is something to be said for publicly acknowledging the journey to self-improvement. We find strength in community and knowing others are going through experiences similar to ours.

It’s with that in mind that I sat down and considered the qualities of people I admire. Most are creative types of one sort or another: writers, artists, musicians, thinkers, and the like. The people you admire may be different. They may be engineers, chefs, business people.

Acknowledging that, I propose that the types of people I admire and the types you admire share many of these qualities, and they’re the type of qualities we encourage for ourselves.

6 qualities I strive to emulate

Without further ado…

Constantly learning

There is always something new to learn. A lot of people have had some extra time on their hands this past week, and the best of them haven’t been content o just Netflix and chill. I’ve seen people teach themselves watercolor and mapmaking. I’ve seen musicians work out new instruments. I’ve seen people learn how to podcast, vlog, and teach online.

Not everyone is learning a new skill. I’ve seen people dive into military history and environmental science. Whatever they decide to learn, it only ends up making them more interesting.

Paying it forward

Successful people don’t hoard their success. They pay it forward.

What does that mean?

It means they help others along with their careers or passion without expectation of anything in return. This is often because someone in their past did the same for them, so now it’s their turn. Established writers will mentor newer writers and help them find publishing opportunities. Musicians will invite less established ones to sit in on sessions or join in a recording. Artists will help others find gallery space or other options to showcase their work.

Paying forward acknowledges that we all do better when we help each other.

Disciplined

No surprise that the people I often admire the most are also those with a keen sense of discipline. They’re hard workers. They’re punctual. They’re reliable.

A lot of people talk about accomplishing things but never really go anywhere. If there is one thing I’ve been working on regarding my own journey of self-improvement, it’s this. Strengthening my sense of discipline and following through more.

It can be a challenge. The real world can be tough — particularly if you’re juggling work, bills, family, and just life in general. But people manage. They find what’s important to them and get to work. They turn off the TV. They focus.

I think I’m getting better at this, but I have a ways to go.

No matter how easy it may appear for some people, it isn’t. Discipline is hard work, no matter who you are. But if you can get a real handle on your sense of discipline, nothing can stop you.

Humble

I know a lot of people in the entertainment industry. During my roadie days, I worked with musicians who were total divas and with award-winning musicians who helped us set up the stage. Guess which ones also hung out with the crew for a beer later?

In the book design side of my work, I’ve worked with many actors and producers on various publishing projects. The guy who spent most of his Hollywood career as a bit player was an overcontrolling dick. The guy who put in some time on Saturday Night Live before going on to movies was a total sweetheart.

You ask around the entertainment world, and you’ll find the performers people most admire are those who don’t have an overinflated sense of self. They are, instead, real people and don’t pretend to be anything else.

Go to love that.

Positive attitude

I’m not talking about that cheery sort of optimism that flies in the face of reason. Bad things happen from time to time, and there are no real silver linings. It can suck. But you can let tragedy stop you in your tracks, or you can process your tragedy, deal with it, and learn how to move on. That’s the sort of positive attitude I’m talking about.

Many of the people I’ve come to admire over the years have had hard times. There have been illnesses, failures, mistakes, and even a scandal or two. What sets them apart is that they are still out there doing great, exciting things and being an inspiration to others.

Perspective

Another thing about how admirable people handle tough times is how they react to conflict. Some people might consider any obstacle the end of the road. Then some recognize that conflicts are challenges to be overcome. If they can’t be overcome, they can be worked around.

In other words, conflict and obstacles aren’t reasons to stop. You just keep a sense of perspective, realize that a no problem is so big to be unsurpassable. Plans and strategies can change. Goals can still be reached. Maybe it will take a little longer, but an admirable person knows how to take things in stride, not panic, be patient, and overcome.

Happy to have so many fine examples

It’s a big world out there filled with big, wonderful people. I like to think I’m one of them, in my own small, humble way.

Everything I’ve listed above is something I’ve seen in those I admire and, more importantly, is a quality I am trying to nurture and grow within myself. There’s a reason we often refer to self-improvement as a journey.

This isn’t about the destination. It’s about how you grow and what you learn along the way. It’s about becoming stronger and better than you were before. It’s getting off the couch and getting going.

I don’t want to be anyone else other than me, but I’m looking forward to seeing how much of myself I can truly be.

It’ll be an interesting experience.

Thank you for reading. I’d love to share more with you via my Bi-Weekly Word Roundup newsletter sent to subscribers every other Sunday. It will feature news, productivity tips, life hacks, and links to top stories making the rounds on the Internet. You can unsubscribe at any time.