6 habits of successful people who always see the positives in every situation

Maya Angelou, the poet famed for the unforgettable, monumental piece Still I Rise, is undoubtedly one of my go-to figures when it comes to positivity.

Why? Because to me, she eternally embodies what it means to rise despite the hand you have been dealt in life.

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them,” Angelou once said.

And this mindset is something that some of the world’s most successful—and optimistic—people embrace with an eager heart and an open mind.

These people, like Angelou, are not about resigning to a life defined by the negatives. Nope. 

Instead, they focus on what they can control: their reactions, mindset, and their next steps.

Even when it feels like we don’t have a choice, it pays to look deeper, and find the one we have the power to make.

If you are looking for six common traits of successful people who embrace optimism, no matter the situation, read on.

Let’s begin with one of my favorites: the ability to have a laugh.

1) They have a killer sense of humor

Sometimes, what sets the winners apart from the rest is an unshakeable sense of humor.

And I’m serious about this one.

Life can be full of surprises—not all of them good ones—and a sense of humor can come in and serve as a lovely way to wash it all down. Sort of like a chaser.

Humor can be a real magic wand in a toolkit of resilience. 

Being able to have a giggle from time to time, or make light of a crummy situation, can be the very thing that pushes successful people forward.

Why? Because it enables them to focus their energy on significant goals rather than getting caught up in trivial bumps along the way.

Also, this kind of positivity and optimism is like a magnet to others. For real, it widens a person’s network dramatically.

So, if you are someone keen to transform your struggles into life changing opportunities—a sense of humor might just be the way to do it!

2) They know how to handle and embrace constructive criticism

Here’s one thing I have learned: criticism ain’t always easy to take. Seriously, it can be a real blow to the ego.

Fortunately, another thing I’ve learned—particularly from some of the most successful people I have been lucky enough to cross paths with—is that criticism is not only an inevitable part of success, it is a necessary part.

The go-getters who thrive in every situation, good or bad, have this rare ability to not only hear criticism but actively lean into it. They aren’t afraid.

This is because being truly successful is not about being passive in your own journey, nor is it about being unreceptive to feedback. 

It is about hunting down improvement from every angle, which includes the perspectives of others.

It always helps me to remind myself that criticism isn’t a personal attack, rather, it’s a pathway to becoming better as a person.

In other words, it’s the ultimate opportunity to level up.

3) They call people in, rather than call them out

Sometimes, finding the good in every situation is about finding the good in people.

Activist and scholar Loretta J. Ross has a lot to say in the field of what she calls “call-out culture.”

You have probably, at one point in your life, been called out. Perhaps you have maybe even been canceled.

In Ross’s revolutionary TED talk, she explores the concept of calling people in, rather than calling them out.

Calling a person in basically means inviting them into an area of educational discourse, whereas calling out can be destructive and burn a whole lot of bridges.

It is basically when a person has a flair for turning conflicts into more constructive chats!

What it comes down to is that super successful individuals are not just there chasing goals, they are chasing after relationships—and seeking to strengthen them too.

They get that the world is full of conflict, and when you come up against opposing ideas with a person, you don’t just get rid of them because of discord.

Otherwise, you will find yourself very isolated—which isn’t exactly conducive with success, is it?

So, instead of shutting people down, they welcome them on in, as Ross says, and facilitate discussions that ignite learning and understanding.

In the scheme of success, calling people in has the power to pinpoint you as the go-to person for collaboration, the one other people always want to team up with.

4) They know when things are a reflection on other people, rather than them

One of the major qualities that separate highly successful individuals from the throng is this: they don’t bother taking things too personally.

This one is a little different from my point on criticism, as it’s about knowing when not to take the criticism—it’s knowing when to politely go “hmm, nah!”

This is because many successful people have the capacity to notice when a person’s reaction to something often mirrors that individual’s own experiences and emotions rather than serving as a direct commentary on their abilities or worth.

It’s all about perspective. They can spot when people’s reactions are emotional rather than logical. 

And this understanding keeps successful people grounded, steering clear of unnecessary drama.

In the end, this attitude can also shield them from taking everything to heart—which can be super destructive over time.

So, the next time life throws you a curveball, you might like to try asking, “What might be going on in this person’s world?”

5) They know when relationships are no longer serving them

It’s a sad fact, but a true one: relationships can sometimes reach a dead end. 

The trick lies in accepting this as a fact.

Successful people who are able to sniff out the positives in life know the detrimental, enduring effect that toxic relationships can have on them.

With this in mind, they know how to gracefully sever ties with problematic people (who aren’t able to be called in), saving their energy for the people that bring joy and empathy to their life.

Successful folks tend to build networks that uplift them, so they are not daunted about letting go of what’s not working, all in the pursuit of something superior.

Remember, that rocky road to success is better traveled with the right companions. Plus snacks. Always snacks.

6) They see setbacks as a time to grow, learn, and discover 

Sometimes, life is all about picking out a different path.

And this is particularly the case when it comes to facing setbacks and challenges head on.

Now, these are not dead ends, moreover they are valuable moments for personal growth, to explore new avenues, take on fresh skills, and possibly unearth new passions.

Highly successful people get that failure (or perceptions of it) can often be a much-needed detour leading to something greater.

Optimism isn’t just pep talks and feel-good quotes you write in your mirror, it is often in the grit of hard work and resilience.

If you can train your mind to embrace challenges positively, you will start to see opportunities where others see roadblocks.

Seriously—give it a crack!

This is also a concept coined by TED talker Alicia Wade as “failing forward”, aka the mindset that propels people forward, even in adversity.

Final thoughts

When it comes to the habits of successful people, they tend to hinge on embracing failure and turning setbacks into stepping stones.

They learn from mistakes, and success becomes the product of their resilience.

Plus a little bit of humor goes a long way! For real, laughter can often be a person’s secret weapon in the face of adversity.

Remember, relationships also make a world of difference, so treasure them. You can do this by calling people in rather than calling them out.