[Reference: TIME Magazine, May 2/May 9, 2016 “100 Most Influential People of 2016”]
This issue made me wonder: What makes winners “Winners”?
It was a compelling challenge to compile a list of characteristics that best described the subjects chosen by TIME for this “Most Influential” honor – all of them clearly “Winners” in their own arenas.
The following compilation is made without curatorial categorization. Importantly, characteristics noted are not universally expressed in every individual, and some characteristics may be considered mutually exclusive. But they are, both singularly and in multitudinous arrays, formative and generative driving forces that make BIG waves and get BIG things done. Many characteristics are familiar to most people and are “owned” in various concatenations. They just happen to be abundantly present in winners.
In no particular order [and with some justifiable duplication], these characteristics include:
Hope … Accomplishment … Breaking the Rules … Breaking Records … Breaking Silence … Breaking Boundaries … Ambition … Altruism … Taking Lessons of the Past to heart … Lure of the Future … VISION of Better … Seekers … Risk-Takers … Explorers … Openness to Adventure /\ to Surprise … Asking: What’s MISSING in the World? … What SHOULD be? … What CHALLENGES Need to be Overcome? … Fear of Failure … Dreamers … Personally Invested … Doers … Focused … Exuberant Optimism … Engaged … Fighter … Persistence … Commitment … Attitude … Relentless … Unconventional … Tireless … “They know their TRUE NORTH” … Talented … Creative/Innovative … Unhappy with the STATUS QUO … Hard-Working … Sacrifice … Assertive … Courage … Interruptive … Compassion … Unaccepting of the UNACCEPTABLE … Filling VACUUMS: in Knowledge, in Compassion, in Decency, in Manageability and Navigability within the Universe … Extending Applications of Knowledge … Asking “If …, Then … “ … Asking: HOW? WHY? And WHY NOT? … Fleeing Destitution … Seeking Justice/Truth/Right Reckoning … Pioneers … Activist … Resolve Inequities … Kaleidoscopic Vision … Channeling (Ideas, Energy, Knowledge, Time) … Generous … Thoughtful … Big-Hearted … Anxious to Learn and Grow … Impatient to see Positive Results … Deep Training & Concentration … Discipline … Emotionally Strong … Humility … “Present in the Moment” … Uncompromising WILL … Pushing Personal Limitations … Passion … Purpose … Integrity … Imagination … Sensitivity … Belief in Self … Belief in “Ultimate Surmountability” … Unstoppable … Unconventional … Positively Crazy … Connected to other Elite … High Aptitude … Egalitarian … Intuition … Empathy … Started out in poverty … Open and Engaged Personality … Amazing Work Ethic … Singular Focus … Always Raising the Bar … Unflappable … Visionary … Calculated Risk-Taker … Bold … Nimble … Hard-Headed Realist … Demand Excellence .. High Ethical Standards … Personal Conviction/Commitment … Respected … Intensity … Self-Respect … Drive … Relatability … Unapologetic Dedication … Inspiring … Revolutionary … Results-Oriented … Soul is Pure … Loves His Work … Intricate Skill … Incredible Craftsmanship … Imagination .. Provocatively Authentic … Real Deal … Navigates Complexities with Ease … Voracious Ambition … Cool Discipline … Ravenous Intelligence … Pushes Boundaries … Nurturing … Agitator … Strength/Fortitude … Rebel … Amalgamator … Fearless … Disquieting … Inventiveness … Never sacrifices Authenticity … Honest Intensity … Understands the Human Condition … Seeking … Refreshingly DIRECT … Stamina … Dogged on DETAIL … Tough-Minded … No Nonsense … Action-Oriented … Values Partnerships … High Standards … Determination … Grace … Compassion … Steadfast … Trustworthy … Absolutely Reliable … Inner Core of Steel … “Tapped In” … Bravely Vulnerable … Principled … Energy … Unwavering Integrity … Bold … “Clear as a bell” Articulate … Progressive … Talent … Discipline … Luck … Dignity … Inclusion … Compassion … Cajole … Thoughtful … Insightful … Takes NOTHING for Granted .. Creative … Unrelenting … Idealistic … Inclusive Vision … Talented … Smart … Authentic … Does his HOMEWORK … Brute-Force Preparation … Knows his stuff … Personally Invested … Dedication … Willpower … Reinvented … Supreme Confidence … Relevant … Resilience … Indomitable Commitment to Justice … Wisdom … Intelligence … Tough Skin … Indomitable Spirit … In Control/In Command … No Surrender … Resourceful … Voraciously engaged in Life … Animated … Stand and Deliver Attitude … “Continues to study and improve herself” … Passionate … Fearless … Inspiring … Rigorous Thinking … SACRIFICE is evident … A UNIFYING Force … Joy … Soulful … Confidently Serene … Unflappable … Curious … Broadly Adventurous … Work Ethic … “Reached well beyond what was previously possible.”
Winners are change agents … BUILDERS … always looking for something to build with … to build ON … to build BETTER … the next challenge … the next big question to answer … the next puzzle to solve … … the next piece of Truth … differences to exploit … similarities to build upon. They love irony and paradoxes and are able to give diametrically opposite possibilities full and fair consideration. They are not “bridled” by tribal truths or unfounded assumptions. They test, they explore, they experiment, they don’t accept “givens”.
Winners seek purpose and meaning. They seek coherence with the universe and how it works … but they are not beneath changing how it works to make it MORE workable!
Choose and cultivate the “winning” characteristics most applicable to YOUR circumstances, and become a WINNER – at SOMETHING! The alternative isn’t worth a hill of beans!! Quartermaster
Points to Ponder
Winning isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Certainly, “Winning it all” and “Winning at all cost” have more downsides than up. But America is a relatively “open”, free enterprise, capitalistic society, 7 billion people on earth can potentially compete for every “equal opportunity” America has to offer, and losing EVERY game sucks – just ask any fan of the University of Kentucky football program!
Notable Note: If you think winning is not important to an overall sense of personal well-being, consider this …
- In 2012, the entertainment software industry added over $6.2 billion to U.S. Gross Domestic Product. http://www.theesa.com/article/u-s-video-game-industrys-economic-impact/
Being a legitimate “Player” (in almost anything other than video games!) with reasonable prospects for winning keeps HOPE alive. “Doing your best and letting go the rest” is a workable formula for many. You win some and you lose some. But the workability of “Doing your best” requires doing a lot more than your EFFORTLESS best! Investment in YOU, Inc., and in the enterprise you represent, is what moves the world forward. The more investment you make … the more “skin” you have in the game … the more dividends you are likely to accrue.
So, choose your “game” wisely, and do your VERY BEST! You will VERY LIKELY win your fair share, and you will very likely NOT regret all the “trouble” you have been at to arrive where you are! QM
