What Happy and SucWhen we look at people who are genuinely happy or successful, one clear characteristic often stands out: they tend to be positive. On the other hand, those who feel “unlucky” or dissatisfied with life often exhibit more negativity.

While this might sound like common wisdom, I truly believe it’s a fundamental truth. Regardless of intelligence or background, positivity is a common trait among people who seem to find happiness or reach success.

However, being “positive” doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some people are energetic, leading others with enthusiasm and drawing everyone forward. Others may not appear particularly upbeat at first, but when you talk to them, you’ll sense a subtle, yet deeply rooted, positivity. Across all types, though, positive people share a strong ability to feel and express gratitude. They say “thank you” with ease and can refocus on the good, even after setbacks.

On the other hand, negative people may struggle with self-confidence or constantly feel anger and frustration. They might talk badly about others behind their backs or put down people who seem weaker. Such attitudes often trap them in unproductive cycles, where situations either stagnate or worsen. Even if they find short-term success, their behavior might eventually lead them toward failure or unhappiness as people distance themselves from them.

Positive people often continue moving forward, even if things aren’t currently going well, because they have a foundation of gratitude. Negative people, lacking this gratitude, may miss out on potential opportunities or fail to retain any luck they find.

Of course, everyone faces challenges, and positive people aren’t immune to difficult circumstances, just as negative people may still achieve success at times. But, in the long run, positivity seems to steer people more reliably toward success and fulfillment.

This difference comes down to the power of perspective. Take, for example, a scenario where you have ten candies and accidentally drop three. Do you focus on losing the three, or feel grateful for the seven you still have? In that instant, anyone might feel negative. But those with strong perspective skills can quickly shift back to a positive outlook. This skill of reframing—interpreting events in a way that helps us move forward—is what I call “perspective power.”

Ultimately, no one is always positive or always negative. But how we interpret challenges affects our actions, and in turn, those actions shape our results. Developing this skill of positive perspective could be one of the most powerful keys to living a truly happy life.