Many singles do not know how to be a successful single, and keep doing the same things over and over again that do not work and still expect different results.

One way this can happen is when you keep choosing the same type of person who is bad for you. You keep getting hurt and give up.

Another way this can happen is just getting hurt at all. I know so many singles who have just given up on the notion of being with someone special.

But what if there were a way to live a successful single life and be able to find the love of your life? We were designed to be in relationship to others. It is a natural human longing and need.

So what is the difference between an unsuccessful single and a successful single? Let’s take a look at some of the characteristics of the unsuccessful single and then we’ll look at some of the characteristics of a successful single and more importantly, how to implement them in your own life.

An unsuccessful single:

See being single as a condition that needs to be cured.

Be on a constant lookout for that one person that is going to make everything right.

Believe that you have to put living your life off until you meet someone.

Believe that no matter what you do, you will wind up hurt.

Resign yourself to being alone and miserable the rest of your life.

Take on a victim mentality that there is nothing you can do about your life.

A successful single:

Don’t put your life on hold waiting for a relationship to happen.

Live your life vision and purpose while you are single.

One of the best ways to find your life partner is to be a happy, successful single person living the life that you really want.

Don’t just wait for someone to come knocking at your door. It can be a long wait. Get out there into the world in social situations.

Know what types of people are bad for you and avoid them.

Seek out healthy choices in potential partners.

Always keep in mind that it only takes one.

Create an attractive and compelling life that someone would be eager to be a part of.

In other words, view being single not as a condition to be cured, but as an opportunity to be explored and lived out to its fullest.

Jeff Herring, MS, LMFT, is a marriage and family therapist.