Some people are born with natural advantages that put them ahead of everyone else. If you happen not to need as much sleep as most people, for instance, you have extra time in the day.
We've collected some of the top answers and added some of our own ideas. We'll skip some of the more obvious advantages, including gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status, which are all worth discussion elsewhere.
Here are some of the most unfair advantages that can help people get ahead in life, and what you can do if you lack them:
1. A need for little sleep
Nothing you can do to your sleep schedule will significantly affect your natural need for sleep, but if you recognize that you're someone who needs eight hours of rest to function at your best, you can maximize your productivity by keeping your days on a tight schedule. And if you're in a leadership position, figure out which tasks you can delegate to your employees rather than spending time on them yourself.
2. Nurturing parents
Just because someone is born with resources doesn't mean they'll have a well-adjusted life, says Quora user
Michael Wong.
Loving parents provide their children with wisdom and a support system that makes them happier and more capable of building relationships and having a successful career.
Studies have shown that the support of friends and family helps people deal with stress and recover from setbacks. So those who unfortunately had negligent parents can find a way to build a support system of their own.
3. An inclination to optimism
Some people naturally find the silver lining to every challenge that comes their way, which allows them to persist even after suffering a setback, says marketer
Sondra Webber.
The good news is that happiness is ultimately a choice, and even those who are more inclined to be cynical don't have to let it sabotage their success.
4. A photographic memory
You either have the ability to precisely remember words and visuals or you don't, says writer
Barry Hampe.
5. Physical attractiveness
6. The ability to resist temptation
Those who can delay gratification have the ability to control their emotions and impulses and usually end up more successful, says Quora user
Kyle Pennell.
It's worth identifying the distractions that are holding you back. Then, whenever the temptation to indulge them arises, you'll be better able to ignore it.
7. Charm
"It is an innate quality that immediately disarms people and influences another person's behavior to lean in your favor," says Quora user
Genevieve Gonnigan. "A charming person will have the advantage in almost every situation."
8. Connections
9. The ability to selectively ignore people's feelings
Quora user
Zafar A. Ansari goes so far as to say that a "lack of conscience" is a natural advantage, but there's plenty of research that shows the opposite, that close personal and professional relationships are your biggest asset on the path to success.
He does have a point, however, because
those who can ignore someone's feelings when competing against them for a promotion or in a negotiation have a better chance of doing what is best for achieving their goal.
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