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6 Things All EGOT Winners Have in Common

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Today’s society cherishes the people who win Emmys, Grammys, Oscars and Tony Awards. Those individuals capture the headlines, as well as the hearts and minds of the fans who admire them. Dozens of people earn those accolades every year, but only a small group of people accomplish the incredible feat of winning all four in their career. Besides that remarkable accomplishment, EGOT winners have some other things in common with each other.

Here are the 6 things all EGOT winners have in common:

1. They’re Versatile

EGOT winners show they’re the best of the best in multiple kinds of art. In case you aren’t up to speed on the different types of awards by name, the Emmys are for excellence in TV, while the Grammys recognize outstanding musicians. The Oscars showcase fantastic individuals in the film industry, and the Tonys are for Broadway theater.

Keep in mind, not all the recipients are necessarily people you see on screen. Some earned recognition from their peers by composing music heard on TV or in movies, the theater, or within the music industry.

2. They’re Part of a Very Short List

John Legend became the latest person to win EGOT honors in September 2018. However, he made history in other ways. His age, 39, made him one of the youngest people to do so — composer Robert Lopez was another 39-year-old person on the EGOT list.

Legend also became the first African-American artist to reach this milestone. Beyond Legend, there are only 14 other people on the EGOT list. The composer Richard Rogers was the first to win the quartet of awards, and that feat happened in 1962. So, when you consider only 15 people have achieved EGOT status in the past 56 years, that element of exclusivity is extremely impressive.

“Soul is about authenticity. Soul is about finding the things in your life that are real and pure.” – John Legend

3. They Were Patient and Persistent

When some people think about the feats of famous people, they often unconsciously start only focusing on the outstanding achievements, not all the hard work it took to get them — and the inevitable failures along the way. To put things in perspective, consider every person who demonstrates excellence by becoming an EGOT winner had a long career.

It took each person at least 10 years to get their awards, and in most cases, the span of time was significantly longer than a decade. Robert Lopez was the only person to win all the necessary awards in a decade. However, Audrey Hepburn had the longest wait between earning all the awards. Her first was an Oscar in 1953. However, she didn’t win the last prize in the EGOT group — in her case, a Grammy — until 1994, over four decades later.

It’s extraordinarily rare for people to have “overnight” successes, and even more unlikely they’ll enjoy sustainable careers afterward. These people knew how important it was to work hard and stick with their careers for the long haul.

4. They Didn’t Let Shortcomings Stop Them

These people all had to get used to keeping proper perspectives, even when they didn’t win awards. After all, the list of “almost-EGOTs,” or the people who were on track to become such winners but ultimately didn’t receive the last awards they needed, is longer than you’d probably expect.

It’s crucial to remember that despite the ways these people get featured in headlines for all the fabulous things they do, they also go through things that are much more common, such as doubts and feelings of discouragement. When those struggles arose, they let the challenges shape them as people, instead of allowing the hardships to convince them to give up.

5. They Have An Amazing Work Ethic

Indeed, people who win EGOTs undoubtedly had teams of people supporting them along the way — parents, friends, teachers, coaches and mentors. But, the individuals themselves had to take what they received from their support systems and stay committed to working hard and staying focused on deliberate practice.

Some practice involves mindless repetition. Maybe you can relate by thinking back to the hours you spent learning major scales before piano lessons. In contrast, deliberate practice means paying attention to the task and having the perpetual goal of doing it to improve performance.

People from all walks of life take part in deliberate practice to master their careers, but something they have in common, like the people who won EGOTs, is they aren’t afraid to work hard. They know putting in the effort is a necessity for reaching the desired points in their careers.

“All roads that lead to success have to pass through hard work boulevard at some point.” – Eric Thomas

6. They Learned to Accept Criticism

Being in the public eye almost always requires people to learn how to take criticism in stride. Andrew Lloyd Weber is part of the EGOT list, and he’s a composer known for famous musicals including “The Phantom of the Opera” and “Cats.” Although you’ll find people who adore those productions, there are other individuals with scathing criticisms of the works.

Criticism is a part of life for all of us, but well-known individuals must be exceptionally resilient when dealing with it. People aren’t afraid to weigh in with their thoughts, especially in this age of social media and near-instant feedback. The people who receive EGOTs learned from feedback and used it to grow.

The people who can call themselves winners of EGOTs know the value of working hard and not giving up even when times are tough. They also have patience and realize it often takes time to fully achieve their aims. Consider keeping the characteristics on this list in mind as you explore self-improvement techniques.

What do you think is one of the biggest attributes in making someone successful? Let us know your thoughts below!

Kayla Matthews is a productivity and self-improvement writer whose writing has been featured on Dumb Little Man, Skills You Need, FinerMinds, Lifehacker, and others. To see more of Kayla's work, visit her productivity blog Productivity Theory or follow her on Twitter.

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But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

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Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

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Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

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Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

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Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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