To think that truly successful people just have a completely different mindset?

We can agree to disagree here. Whilst I wish them both a very successful (one way) trip to Mars, the traits you listed aren't the ones which propelled them to success.

Edited to add: this thread somehow is heavily focused on success in corporate environment, I guess OP meant it much wider.

Some people just seem to have more energy, and a blinkered enthusiasm for all the corporate bullshit.

I used to but I can't be arsed anymore.

My energy has left the building and enthusiasm seems to be on permanent siesta.

Companies are constantly looking for ways to get employees to give a shit, but most of us don't. Just pay people properly and maybe they will pretend to be more enthusiastic.

Some people are driven to achieve. I'm reasonably high achieving I think (PhD, book, senior management etc) but not in any way exceptional. I have no interest in being hugely successful, in career terms or financially or similar. Just want to potter along, enjoing the ride, having lots of time to chill. So yes I guess it's a mindset. But I do think success is often very narrowly conceived.

I think it’s a particular personality type and some luck that makes a difference.

I know some very successful people and it’s a mix of reasons and industry dependent

sometimes it’s pure talent in a particular skill/knowledge set

Sometimes it’s just incredibly hard working and a very focussed mindset

Sometimes it’s right time/ right place

sometimes it’s the ability to be a chronic arselicker/liar/ huge self publicist /not give a shit about morals or standards ( or variations s on this)

there is no fixed format

I think its complicated. I remember a while back reading an article from a successful entrepreneur in my field. She spoke about how her parents had raised her to believe she could do anything and she was successful because she took a risk. She quit her job, moved back into her parents and worked full time on her business ploughing everything she made back into her business. If she hadn't have taken that risk her business wouldn't be what it was.

This stuck in my head because the contrast between the two of us was stark. I was emotionally abused by my parents, had to move out for good at 16 and was on my own from there. I was raised to believe I was no good, I had no parents to move back in with and pay for my keep while I ploughed everything into the business. It made a huge difference to me knowing that I had nobody to catch me if I fell, if I fucked up I wasnt back in my parents spare room I was on the streets.

I think the OP means exceptionally high achievers.

I always think something similar when I hear people interviewed on Desert Island Discs.

This^

Agreed. I just think it is often assumed that mindset is shorthand for resilience and drive but one only has to look at the likes of Musk and Trump to realise that very negative character traits can also propel people to success. Lying, bullying and backstabbing can get you a long way in a career.

I’m convinced that, in certain industries, the ‘special mindset’ is actually just sociopathy . . .

Same. Making a positive contribution to the world, giving my children a happy and secure childhood, having good friendships and relationships with my family.

What does truly successful mean? Being happy, raising happy children, making the world a little better? Somehow I don't think that's what you mean, but that's what I call truly successful.

Yes, seen this too

To be fair to OP, she didn't say successful people are always good human beings, just have different mindset. The above is one of variations of different mindset

Yes, working at board level was totally eye opening.

I dunno. Maybe it's also that you have to actually have the confidence to believe in yourself. I had every advantage except that I lacked a benevolent father. He was just relentless in his criticism and negativity when I was a child. So all my success is meaningless to me, because in my head I'm still just a useless sack of shit like he said. People admire my success, they tell me all the time that I'm clever and impressive. It is impossible for me to believe them. Right before he died, he told me he was so proud of me. 😭

Oh crikey the number of people I’ve encountered who were promoted out of incompetence is terrifying.

I think that those with boundless energy do well too (the type who only need 5 hours sleep and no decompression time).

And I have come across quite a lot of people at a senior level who are neither talented nor wildly driven but just incredibly duplicitous, prepared to exploit others or point the finger at them

I’m with you OP, it’s a mindset.

I’m not sure if it’s a learned mindset or one that’s just innate - perhaps that’s a bit of both?

My dad was one of those people who came from nothing - a tough, poverty-stricken council background. He worked over 60 hours a week from 26 years old right through to when he retired at 55. He achieved incredible success, both in his career and financially and retired early. It all comes down to your drive to succeed. He risked everything to make it happen, even putting his house down as collateral. So yes, I agree if you have drive you can succeed as I've witnessed it first hand. Sadly, he's also a workaholic because of his drive, so we suffered not growing up with him around a lot. Obviously, some do have it easier if they have support or help financially

I suppose it depends on your definition of successful. I know someone who is, IMO, a genius. He works hard if it’s something that sparks his interest but he doesn’t “take risks” and if it’s something he can’t be arsed with, he won’t do it. But he is incredibly well-respected in his field (because of the genius thing), so is pretty much allowed to do what he likes and is well-paid for it.

That’s an example of someone who I would say is successful purely because of talent rather than mindset.

I also can think of several people who do all that Apprentice-style “giving it 110%” bollocks but who aren’t succeeding because they aren’t actually much good at their chosen profession.

So, while I agree that mindset can be important, I don’t think it’s that alone.

Agreed. Some versions of "success " do not look at all like success to me.

Or nothing to lose

Completely agree OP - success is 90% mindset. But lots of people will tell you differently.

I agree with you OP.