--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Self-control, openness, the ability to…" description: "\"Self-control, openness, the ability to engage with others, to plan and to persist - these are the attributes that get people in the door and on the job..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad2/james-heckman-21687_ability_self-control-openness-the-ability-to-eng_2160835.jpg" --- # Self-control, openness, the ability to engage with others… ![“Self-control, openness, the ability to engage with others, to plan and to persist - these are the attributes that get people in the door and on the job, and lead to productive lives.” quote by James Heckman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad2/james-heckman-21687_ability_self-control-openness-the-ability-to-eng_2160835.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad2/james-heckman-21687_ability_self-control-openness-the-ability-to-eng_2160835.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ad2/james-heckman-21687_ability_self-control-openness-the-ability-to-eng_2160835.jpg) > “Self-control, openness, the ability to engage with others, to plan and to persist - these are the attributes that get people in the door and on the job, and lead to productive lives.” [James Heckman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-heckman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Identifies self‑control, openness, social engagement, planning, and persistence as key traits for employment and productive life. **In simple terms:** Self‑control, openness, social skills, planning, persistence lead to success. Key Takeaway Develop these five traits for career growth. Themes career productivity psychology skill development Mood motivational practical Type advice self‑help When to use this quote - job interviews - career counseling - skill workshops Key Concepts human capital behavioral economics Questions to Reflect On - Which of these traits do you need to strengthen? - How can you practice persistence daily? A Different Perspective Traits are interdependent; lacking one can hinder others. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Discipline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discipline/) [Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job/) [Jobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jobs/) [Openness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/openness/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Productive life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/productive-life/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self control](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-control/) ## Related quotes > [Individuals who deliberately decide not to take offense lead happier, more productive lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lloyd-d-newell/individuals-who-deliberately-decide-not-to-take-offense-lead-happier/) [Lloyd D. 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Skills beget skills. More motivated children learn more. Those who are more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-heckman/cognitive-and-character-skills-work-together-as-dynamic-complements/) [James Heckman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-heckman/) > [Some kids win the lottery at birth; far too many don't - and most people have a hard time catching up over the rest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-heckman/some-kids-win-the-lottery-at-birth-far-too-many-don-t-and-most-people/) [James Heckman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-heckman/) > [Religion gives you a sense of certainty. 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I say, 'Okay, that's fine, but what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-heckman/the-traditional-story-of-economists-has-been-to-say-education/) [James Heckman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-heckman/) > [Early intervention programs enrich adverse family environments. The largest effects of the early intervention programs are on noncognitive traits. 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