We all want to be successful in our chosen careers. However, to be successful, you will need more than luck. You have to learn your craft, apply your knowledge, and be willing to stick with it even in the face of adversity. From the stories we hear, successful people owe their achievements to these five character traits.

It’s easy to brush off someone telling you to “lighten up” or “look on the bright side”, but there is real science behind the benefits being a positive thinker who sees the cup half full. A landmark study by Barbara L Fredickson suggests that positive thinkers are more likely to broaden their skills set and appreciate the bigger picture. For example, a pessimist will tend to focus on the immediate threat of the negative situation rather than take a step back to problem solve and learn a new approach. In turn, a positive outlook can lead to experience less stress and less of the negative physical health impacts associated with stress.