Character Trait: Accomplished

To engage your reader, it's important to always show not tell the traits of your characters. The character trait Accomplished refers to a person who has achieved a high level of skill, talent, or success in their chosen field. An accomplished individual is someone who has worked hard to develop their abilities and has achieved significant results or recognition for their efforts. They are often seen as experts or leaders in their field, and their accomplishments are a source of pride and fulfillment. This trait is highly valued in many contexts, as it suggests a strong work ethic, dedication, and a willingness to learn and grow.

Possible causes of being accomplished

You might want to weave these into your character's back story to build a more believable character.

• They have a strong work ethic and are dedicated to achieving their goals.
• They have a growth mindset and are constantly seeking opportunities to learn and improve.
• They are self-motivated and take initiative in pursuing their aspirations.
• They are resilient and able to overcome obstacles and setbacks.
• They have a positive attitude and outlook on life, and see challenges as opportunities for growth.
• They have a supportive network of family, friends, or mentors who encourage and motivate them.
• They have a clear vision of what they want to accomplish and develop plans to achieve it.
• They are adaptable and able to adjust their approach when faced with new or unexpected situations.
• They are confident in their abilities and believe in their potential for success.

For detailed feedback on accomplished characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's literary analysis software.

Behaviors associated with being accomplished

You may be able to show your character's trait of accomplished by using these.

• Continuously learning and improving oneself
• Demonstrating leadership qualities and inspiring others
• Having a strong work ethic and being disciplined
• Being reliable and dependable
• Being recognized for excellence or achievement by others
• Demonstrating a high level of skill or expertise in a particular area
• Taking initiative and being proactive
• Setting challenging goals and achieving them
• Being adaptable and flexible in the face of challenges

Attitudes associated with being accomplished

You may be able to show accomplished through their attitudes.

• Perfectionism
• Persistence
• Confidence
• Willingness to take risks
• Drive
• High standards for oneself
• Open-mindedness
• Motivation
• Adaptability
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Self-assurance
• Resilience
• Goal-oriented
• Pride in one's achievements
• Competitiveness

Thoughts and struggles associated with being accomplished

Here are some ideas for things your accomplished character may think or struggle with.

• Feeling isolated or lonely due to their achievements setting them apart from others
• Struggling with imposter syndrome and wondering if they truly deserve their accomplishments
• Feeling like they have something to prove and constantly striving to outdo themselves
• Fearing failure and being hesitant to take risks that could jeopardize their accomplishments
• Feeling a sense of responsibility to use their accomplishments for good or to help others
• Struggling to find new challenges or goals to strive for after reaching a high level of success
• Struggling to balance their personal life with their professional achievements
• Feeling pressure to maintain their high level of success and achievement

Emotions associated with being accomplished

Here are some ideas for emotions your accomplished character may experience.

• Gratitude
• Poise
• Confidence
• Self-assurance
• Self-esteem
• Contentment
• Pride
• Fulfillment
• Satisfaction

Facial expressions associated with being accomplished

Here are some facial expressions your accomplished character may exhibit.

• A raised chin
• A steady gaze
• A subtle nod of approval
• A confident smile
• A sense of ease and composure in their movements
• A firm, but not aggressive, posture
• A subtle glow or radiance in their features
• A calm and collected demeanor
• A relaxed brow

Body language associated with being accomplished

Here is some body language your accomplished character may exhibit.

• Having a firm handshake
• Being comfortable with silence and taking time to think before speaking
• Being attentive and engaged in conversations or meetings
• Making direct eye contact
• Smiling or nodding with acknowledgement when someone speaks to them
• Displaying calmness under pressure
• Using confident hand gestures while speaking
• Walking with a purposeful stride
• Standing tall with good posture

For detailed feedback on accomplished characters and other aspects of your writing, try ProWritingAid's literary analysis software.

Behaviors associated with being accomplished

Here are some behaviors your accomplished character may exhibit.

• Having a strong work ethic and being disciplined
• Being adaptable and flexible in the face of challenges
• Setting challenging goals and achieving them
• Being recognized for excellence or achievement by others
• Being reliable and dependable
• Demonstrating leadership qualities and inspiring others
• Taking initiative and being proactive
• Continuously learning and improving oneself
• Demonstrating a high level of skill or expertise in a particular area

Growth and evolution of accomplished characters

Here are some ways that your accomplished character may grow and evolve over time.

• Learning to delegate tasks and rely on others, leading to increased efficiency and success
• Overcoming personal flaws or weaknesses that may have hindered their success in the past
• Facing and overcoming challenges or obstacles that may have previously seemed insurmountable
• Taking on new responsibilities or challenges, leading to increased confidence and leadership skills
• Developing stronger relationships with other characters, leading to increased collaboration and success
• Learning new skills or techniques to enhance their abilities and achieve greater success
• Gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and their motivations, leading to increased self-awareness and personal growth

Stereotypes of accomplished characters to avoid

Try to avoid writing stereotypical accomplished character like these examples.

• Being dishonest or willing to compromise morals for success
• Being workaholic to the point of neglecting personal relationships or health
• Being dismissive or disrespectful of those who are not accomplished
• Being overly obsessed with success or achievement
• Being overly competitive or cutthroat
• Having a sense of entitlement
• Being unapproachable or intimidating to others
• Being arrogant or conceited
• Being shallow or lacking in empathy

Negatives of being accomplished

Here are some potential negatives of being accomplished. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as positives depending on the context.

• They may have difficulty accepting failure or setbacks and may become discouraged or give up easily.
• They may have difficulty empathizing with others who are not as accomplished, leading to a lack of understanding and empathy in relationships.
• They may struggle with perfectionism and have high expectations for themselves and others.
• Accomplished individuals may become arrogant or boastful about their achievements.
• Accomplished individuals may become complacent or feel they have reached the peak of their abilities, limiting their growth and development.
• Accomplished individuals may struggle with delegation, feeling that they are the only ones capable of performing tasks to their high standards.

Positives of being accomplished

Here are some potential positives of being accomplished. Note: These are subjective and some might also be seen as negatives depending on the context.

• Accomplished individuals are typically respected and admired by their peers, which can lead to increased opportunities for collaboration and networking.
• Accomplished individuals possess a high level of skill or expertise in a particular field or activity.
• Accomplished people are often seen as credible and trustworthy due to their extensive knowledge and experience.
• They often have a strong sense of purpose and direction, allowing them to make informed decisions that align with their values and goals.
• They are confident in their abilities, which can help them handle challenges with ease and poise.
• They have a track record of achieving their goals and objectives, which can inspire others to strive for success.

Verbal expressions of accomplished characters

Here are some potential expressions used by accomplished characters.

• "I have mastered"
• "I have succeeded in"
• "I am an expert at"
• "I have achieved"
• "I have excelled in"
• "I am proficient in"
• "I am skilled at"
• "I have honed my abilities in"

Relationships of accomplished characters

Here are some ways that being accomplished could affect your character's relationships.

• Accomplished people often have high standards for themselves and others, and may become frustrated or disappointed when those around them don't meet those expectations.
• They may be more willing to end relationships that are no longer fulfilling or productive, as they are focused on achieving their goals and may not want to waste time on relationships that don't contribute to their success.
• They may be less patient with people who they see as unambitious or lacking in drive, and may struggle to connect with those who don't share their passion for success.
• Accomplished people tend to value relationships that challenge them intellectually and emotionally, and may seek out friendships with people who can match their level of accomplishment.
• They are confident in their abilities and may come across as assertive or even dominant in social situations.
• Accomplished people often have a strong sense of self and are comfortable with who they are.

Examples from books of characters who are accomplished

• Jay Gatsby from The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
• Sherlock Holmes from the Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle
• Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
• Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
• Holden Caulfield from The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
• Frodo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien
• Harry Potter from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
• Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
• Jo March from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Writing exercises for writing accomplished characters

Here are some writing exercises you might try for learning to write accomplished characters.

• Write a dialogue between your character and someone who is jealous of their accomplishments.
• Write a scene in which your character is faced with a difficult challenge and must use their skills and expertise to overcome it.
• Create a backstory for your character that explains how they became accomplished in their field.
• Write a scene in which your character must mentor someone who is struggling to achieve their own goals.
• Write a scene in which your character must make a difficult choice that pits their personal values against their desire for professional success.
• Write a scene in which your character receives recognition for their accomplishments from someone they respect.
• Create a list of accomplishments that your character is proud of, and use those accomplishments to inform their personality and behavior.
• Create a character arc that shows your character's journey from novice to accomplished in their field.
• Write a scene in which your character is faced with failure and must overcome it to ultimately achieve success.