The most significant difference between people in my professional environment who succeed in their goals and those who don’t is their first reaction when something doesn’t go as planned. The successful ask themselves, “Was it me? Could I have done something differently?” and they adapt fast. On the other hand, the not-so-successful blame others or the environment and stick to their old habits and beliefs.
Other people and your environment affect your work and outcomes, but you are also in the “other people” group for someone else and part of the environment. If you never reflect on your actions, getting better is impossible. Gender, education, credentials, and similar have never been—for people I interact with—a reliable indicator of success, but the curious and adaptable mindset has.