How to Become the Best in the World at What You Do: 8 Unconventional Traits of Elite Performers

Have you ever looked at someone operating at the absolute peak of their field and wondered, “How did they get there?” What truly separates the “best in the world” from everyone else? Is it raw talent, relentless hard work, or something more profound?

Many aspire to excellence, but few achieve world-class mastery. The journey to becoming “the best” isn’t paved with conventional wisdom or easy paths. It demands a unique set of traits, mindsets, and strategic approaches that often challenge the status quo.

This post will reveal 8 unconventional traits and principles that define those who become the best in their chosen domain. We’ll explore the often-overlooked characteristics and strategies that elite performers embrace, from their approach to work-life balance to their relentless pursuit of impact. If you’re ready to elevate your game and unlock your highest potential, this guide will illuminate the path.

Let’s dive into what it truly takes to become the best in the world at what you do.

The Mindset of Mastery: Beyond the Ordinary

Becoming the best isn’t just about doing more; it’s about thinking differently and acting with a distinct purpose. It requires a fundamental shift in perspective and a willingness to embrace principles that might seem counterintuitive at first.

Here are the key traits and strategies that define “besters”:

1. Replication

What you’ve accomplished is super cool, but if you can’t seed it in someone else, the success dies with you. Besters know how to replicate themselves in others.

• Explanation: True mastery isn’t just about individual achievement; it’s about the ability to scale your impact and knowledge. “Besters” understand that their success is amplified when they can codify their methods, teach their skills, and empower others to achieve similar results. This ensures their legacy and expands their influence beyond their direct efforts. It’s about building a system that can be duplicated.
• Example: A world-class chef doesn’t just create amazing dishes; they develop recipes, train apprentices, and build a kitchen system that allows their unique culinary vision to be executed consistently by others, even when they’re not present. Similarly, a top entrepreneur builds processes and teams that can run and grow the business without their constant, direct involvement.
• Practical Step(s) / How-to: Identify a skill or process where you excel. Document your methods. Can you create a step-by-step guide, a training module, or a template? Look for opportunities to mentor or teach others your expertise. Think about how your unique contribution could be scaled or replicated through systems or people.

2. Imbalance

Work/life balance is one of those trendy topics today. How to work less and earn more. It’s not a bad desire at all, but besters know that to be the best, they must be okay with prolonged periods of imbalance in their life.

• Explanation: This is perhaps one of the most controversial but honest truths about achieving world-class status. While a healthy work-life balance is crucial for long-term well-being for most, those who reach the very pinnacle of their field often commit to intense, prolonged periods of focused effort that necessitate a temporary imbalance. This isn’t about glorifying burnout, but acknowledging the immense dedication required to achieve extraordinary results.
• Example: An Olympic athlete doesn’t train for a few hours a week; their entire life revolves around their sport for years leading up to competition. A startup founder building a disruptive company will often work 80+ hour weeks for extended periods to get their vision off the ground. These are not sustainable long-term states, but they are often necessary phases for extreme achievement.
• Practical Step(s) / How-to: Understand that “imbalance” is a choice for a season, not a permanent state. If you choose to pursue world-class mastery, be prepared for periods where your chosen craft will demand disproportionate time and energy. Communicate this to your loved ones. Schedule dedicated rest and recovery within these intense periods to prevent burnout. This isn’t about working all the time, but about working intensely on what matters most.

3. Disruption

Besters mess up the status quo. They see the world as it is and know there is a better way. A different way. They are comfortable owning that disruption and not letting haters slow them down.

• Explanation: True innovators and “besters” are rarely content with existing norms. They possess a unique vision that allows them to identify inefficiencies, outdated practices, or unmet needs. They are not afraid to challenge conventional thinking, introduce new paradigms, or create entirely new categories. This often means facing resistance, criticism, and “haters,” but their conviction allows them to push through.
• Example: Steve Jobs didn’t just make better computers; he disrupted the personal computing, music, and mobile phone industries by envisioning entirely new ways people would interact with technology. Elon Musk isn’t just building cars; he’s disrupting the automotive, space, and energy industries with audacious visions.
• Practical Step(s) / How-to: Cultivate a “beginner’s mind” – question assumptions and look for inefficiencies in your industry or daily processes. Don’t be afraid to voice unconventional ideas. Develop a thick skin and understand that resistance often accompanies true innovation. Focus on the problem you’re solving and the value you’re creating, rather than external validation.

4. Obsession

When you become the best, you are an obsessed human being. You are known for being over-the-top, crazy passionate, insane, and entirely obsessed with whatever you’ve created.

• Explanation: This isn’t a casual interest; it’s a profound, almost all-consuming passion for their craft, their vision, or the problem they are solving. This level of obsession fuels the relentless effort, resilience through setbacks, and unwavering focus required to achieve world-class results. It’s an internal drive that transcends external rewards.
• Example: Michael Jordan’s legendary work ethic and competitive drive stemmed from an intense obsession with basketball and winning. A groundbreaking scientist might spend years consumed by a single research question, driven by an unyielding curiosity and desire for discovery.
• Practical Step(s) / How-to: Identify what truly ignites your passion. What problem do you care deeply about solving? What skill or craft do you find endlessly fascinating? Lean into that fascination. Dedicate significant time to your chosen area, allowing yourself to become deeply immersed. This isn’t about forcing it; it’s about finding what you can’t not do.

5. System

The systems you put in place are what will help those sales continue to work for you after the initial transaction is complete. Systems allow the bester to have time to create vision rather than working in all the details day after day.

• Explanation: While passion and hard work are crucial, sustained excellence and scalability come from building robust systems. “Besters” understand that relying solely on individual effort is a bottleneck. They design processes, workflows, and structures that automate routine tasks, ensure consistency, and free up their mental energy to focus on higher-level strategic thinking, innovation, and vision-casting.
• Example: A highly successful online entrepreneur doesn’t manually send every email or process every order. They build automated marketing funnels, customer service protocols, and content creation systems that allow their business to operate and grow efficiently without their constant intervention.
• Practical Step(s) / How-to: Identify repetitive tasks in your work or life. Can you create a checklist, a template, or automate any part of the process? Document your successful methods. Think about how you can build repeatable systems for key activities (e.g., lead generation, content creation, client onboarding) so you can focus on strategy and growth.

6. Legacy

At some point in the journey, Besters stop worrying about money and start concerning themselves with legacy. What mark they will leave on the planet after their time is up.

• Explanation: While financial success often accompanies mastery, for the truly “best,” the ultimate driving force shifts beyond personal gain to a desire for lasting impact. They become concerned with the broader contribution they can make, the positive change they can effect, and the enduring value they can create for others or for their field. This long-term, selfless perspective fuels their continued drive.
• Example: A renowned philanthropist, after achieving immense wealth, dedicates their remaining life to solving global challenges like poverty or disease, driven by a desire to leave a better world. A legendary artist focuses on creating timeless works that will inspire generations, rather than just chasing fleeting trends.
• Practical Step(s) / How-to: Beyond your immediate goals, ask yourself: What kind of impact do I want to have in the long term? What problem do I want to see solved that is bigger than myself? How can my work contribute to something lasting? Define your personal legacy vision. This can provide a powerful, enduring source of motivation.

7. Repetition

When and if you have the chance to join the Inner Circle, you will see that even those making millions are still practicing. Repeating the process again and again. Tweaking and optimizing always.

• Explanation: Mastery is not a destination; it’s a continuous process of deliberate practice and refinement. “Besters” understand that even at the highest levels, consistent repetition, coupled with critical analysis and optimization, is essential for maintaining their edge and achieving further breakthroughs. They never stop learning, tweaking, and improving.
• Example: A top-tier athlete continues to practice fundamental drills daily, even after winning championships. A successful entrepreneur constantly analyzes market feedback, tests new strategies, and refines their business model, never resting on past successes.
• Practical Step(s) / How-to: Embrace deliberate practice. Identify the core skills that drive your success and commit to regular, consistent practice sessions, even when you feel proficient. After each attempt, reflect on what worked and what didn’t. Be open to “tweaking and optimizing always” – small, continuous improvements add up to significant gains over time.

8. Belief

(Note: The image provided the same description for “Belief” as for “System.” For this blog post, I will interpret “Belief” as the fundamental conviction and self-belief that underpins the success of elite performers, which is a common understanding of this trait in personal development.)

• Explanation: At the core of every “bester” is an unwavering belief – in their vision, in their ability to overcome obstacles, and in the ultimate success of their endeavors. This isn’t naive optimism, but a deep-seated conviction that fuels their persistence through challenges and allows them to inspire others to join their cause. They believe in the possibility of what others might deem impossible.
• Example: A scientist pursuing a cure for a rare disease might face years of failed experiments and skepticism, but their unwavering belief in the possibility of discovery keeps them going. An artist might create work that isn’t immediately understood or appreciated, but their belief in their unique vision allows them to persevere until it finds its audience.
• Practical Step(s) / How-to: Cultivate a strong sense of self-belief by focusing on your past successes and strengths. Practice positive self-talk and visualize your desired outcomes. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and your vision. When faced with doubt or criticism, consciously remind yourself of your purpose and capabilities. Your conviction is a powerful internal compass.

Start Embracing the Journey to Become the Best

Becoming the best in the world at what you do is an extraordinary journey that demands more than just talent or hard work. It requires adopting a unique set of traits and principles: the ability to Replicate your impact, a willingness to embrace Imbalance during periods of intense focus, the courage to drive Disruption, an unwavering Obsession with your craft, the foresight to build powerful Systems, a drive for Legacy beyond personal gain, a commitment to relentless Repetition and optimization, and an unshakeable Belief in your vision and capabilities.

These aren’t just characteristics; they are actionable mindsets and strategies that you can cultivate. By intentionally embracing these unconventional approaches, you can elevate your performance, amplify your impact, and embark on your own journey to world-class mastery.

Which of these traits resonates most with you, and which one will you commit to developing further this week? Share your thoughts and aspirations in the comments below! If you found this guide inspiring, please share it with others who are ready to become the best in their field.