Inside the Achieving Personality

Outwardly, achievers look much like everyone else. Inwardly, there's a difference. They hear their own tune and play it on their own instrument. Achieving people share many common denominators, and although present in widely varying intensities, these similarities provide an opportunity to construct a highly reliable profile of the instincts and habits of an achieving personality. 

The typical achiever is likely to be: 

Impatient. 

Excessive in some habits, both personal and professional. 

Highly self-confident. 

Committed to the task, often showing tendencies toward thinkaholism, sometimes toward workaholism. 

A highly responsive problem-solver. 

Very pragmatic and honest with self and others. 

Intensely interested in exploring new knowledge. 

In control of own environment. 

Impact driven. 

Particular as to likes and dislikes. 

More introverted than extroverted.  

Highly self-sufficient. 

More interested in being respected than being liked. 

Unusually forthcoming and direct. 

Turned off by failure, but understands it's a piece of the achievement puzzle. 

A good salesperson when accompanied by strong belief and passion. 

Exceptionally goal-oriented. 

A corporate dropout. 

Disinclined to delegate. 

Attracted to challenge. 

Aware of obligations to others. 

Attracted to both highly entrepreneurial and highly non-entrepreneurial environments, and less attracted to those in between. 

A heavy reader of non-fiction. 

Very resourceful, especially in the face of adversity. 

An effective contingency thinker. 

Precise in expectations of self and others. 

Demanding but fair. 

Highly project-focused. 

Mentally organized. 

Willing to mentor. 

Firm and opinionated, not often in a gray area. 

Reliable and predictable. 

Contemplative of the future and its potential.