If you can honestly answer yes to these 7 questions, you will probably be very successful in life

I’ve long been fascinated by what truly drives success.

Over the years, I’ve read countless books, listened to inspiring talks, and observed both wildly successful people and those still on their way.

What I've realized is that success isn’t just about luck, raw talent, or being in the right place at the right time—it’s also about mindset and habits we have. 

If you can look in the mirror and truthfully answer “yes” to these questions, it’s often a strong sign you’re on the right path. 

They might feel simple on the surface, but your answers could reveal a lot about your chances of long-term success.

1. Do you regularly invest time in learning new things?

Here's something that might surprise you: 88% of wealthy people who built their own fortunes dedicate at least half an hour daily to reading for personal development and learning, according to research by Thomas C. Corley. 

This isn't about cramming for tests or checking boxes. It's about genuine curiosity and the drive to keep growing.

I notice this pattern everywhere. The most successful people I know are constantly consuming podcasts, reading books outside their field, or picking up new skills just because they find them interesting.

They treat learning like a daily habit, not a chore.

Think about your own routine. Do you actively seek out new knowledge? Do you set aside time to learn something that challenges you?

If you're nodding yes, you're already thinking like someone destined for success.

2. Can you stick with long-term goals even when progress feels slow?

This is an interesting one.

Dr. Angela Duckworth from the University of Pennsylvania found that one trait stood out as the best predictor of success - and it wasn't being smart, attractive, healthy, or socially skilled. It was grit, which she describes as having passion and sticking with long-term goals no matter what.

This hits home for me. I've watched friends abandon projects after a few months because they weren't seeing immediate results. And this would be most people, it seems; research suggests less than 10% stick to New Year's resolutions, as a case in point. 

Meanwhile, others quietly chip away at their goals for years.

Are you still working toward something you started months or even years ago? Do you push through the boring middle parts of projects? Can you maintain enthusiasm even when progress feels glacial?

If yes, you've got something most people lack.

3. Do you have systems for organizing your time and priorities?

Here's a stat that stopped me in my tracks: “Those who maintain both a calendar and to-do list are 289 percent more likely to be millionaires, as compared with those who have no real set schedule,”according to Randall Bell, Ph.D.

As far as I can see, this isn't about being obsessively organized or color-coding everything. It's about having intentional systems that keep you focused on what actually matters.

Do you plan your days in advance? Do you write down your priorities? Can you look at your calendar and see clear evidence of working toward your bigger goals?

Successful people don't leave their time to chance. They design their days deliberately, making sure their energy goes toward activities that move them forward.

4. Can you delay immediate gratification for bigger rewards?

Do you know the famous marshmallow experiment? Basically, researchers found that kids who could resist eating one marshmallow to get two later showed better life outcomes years down the road.

This principle shows up everywhere in adult life, too. It's choosing to save money instead of buying something you want right now. It's going to bed early when your friends are out partying because you have an important meeting tomorrow.

Can you turn down immediate pleasures for long-term gains? Do you resist impulse purchases when you're saving for something bigger? Are you willing to do boring work today for exciting results tomorrow?

If so, you're already thinking like someone who gets results.

5. Do you bounce back quickly from setbacks and failures?

This is a big one. 

What separates successful people from everyone else isn't that they avoid failure – it's how they respond to it. As put by legendary investor Ray Dalio, "Pain + Reflection = Progress."

I learned this the hard way when my first photography project completely flopped. I could have taken it as a sign that I wasn't cut out for creative work. Instead, I treated it as expensive education and tried a different approach.

Successful people have this weird ability to reframe disasters as data points. They ask "what can I learn from this?" instead of "why does this always happen to me?"

When something goes wrong in your life, do you spend weeks dwelling on it? Or do you analyze what happened, adjust your approach, and move forward relatively quickly?

This isn't about being emotionless or pretending setbacks don't hurt. It's about not letting temporary defeats become permanent surrenders.

6. Are you genuinely curious about other people's perspectives?

Here's something I've definitely noticed: successful people are excellent listeners. They ask follow-up questions. They're genuinely interested in understanding viewpoints that differ from their own.

This isn't just about being polite. It's strategic. The best ideas often come from combining different perspectives in unexpected ways.

I've seen this play out in countless situations. The person who asks thoughtful questions in meetings, who seeks out diverse opinions before making decisions, who actually listens instead of just waiting for their turn to talk – these people consistently outperform their peers.

If you find yourself genuinely interested in how other people think and see the world, you're developing the kind of intellectual humility that leads to breakthrough insights.

7. Do you take responsibility for your outcomes without making excuses?

This might be the most uncomfortable question on the list, but it's also the most important.

In my experience, successful people have an almost eerie ability to find their role in every situation – even when external factors are clearly at play. They focus on what they can control rather than what they can't.

I notice this pattern everywhere. When successful people don't get a promotion, they ask what skills they need to develop. When unsuccessful people don't get promoted, they blame office politics or favoritism.

Both might be dealing with the exact same unfair situation. The difference is where they focus their energy.

This isn't about self-blame or ignoring genuine injustices. It's about maintaining an internal locus of control that keeps you moving forward.

The bottom line

Success isn't a destination you stumble into. It's the natural result of certain ways of thinking and acting, compounded over time.

If you answered yes to most of these, you're already operating with the mindset that creates long-term success.

If you answered no to several, don't worry. These are all learnable skills and you don't need anyone's permission to start developing these traits today. You can begin investing in learning, building better systems, or taking more responsibility for your outcomes right now.