Why your boss has a 6 figure salary and you don't

High-flying earners, says Munira Rangwala, don't primarily work for the money.

Have you aspired all your working life to have a six figure salary?

If so, being 'just another employee' won't do you much good.

You'll have to work twice as hard and show perseverance and interest in even the smallest of tasks.

Yes, it sounds difficult -- probably because it is. No one's going to give you a six-figure paycheck if you don't exceed expectations.

If you've made up your mind to bag that fat paycheque, check out this list of five things all six-figure earners have in common:

Forethought

The ability to plan in advance is one of the most common behavioral traits among six-figure earners.

Living in the moment is important, but when it comes to your career, it's best to map out your future.

Start by determining your long-term goals like travelling the world or buying a house, and then determine your short-term goals. Your short-term goals would include making smart investments to reap the best returns.

Passion

If you're passionate about your job, you'll give it all you have. High-flying earners don't primarily work for the money.

They work for the satisfaction they derive from doing their jobs.

Passion works as a great driving force and makes you stick to your job even when times get tough.

If you enjoy your work, you'll do it even when you don't feel like doing it. And when your boss observes your passion, he or she will be compelled to give you a good paycheck as he will want you to stick around.

Consistency

High-flying earners consistently perform well. They never slack or take their work for granted.

Even when they are having an off-day, they don't let it show.

This trait is valued greatly in the professional world because it demonstrates a certain level of security.

If you want to take home a hefty paycheck, you need to continuously gain positive reviews from your seniors and managers.

Reliability

Bosses of six-figure earners don't constantly check in on them to see the progress they've made on a certain project or whether or not they've completed a certain task.

If you want to be a high-flying earner, you need to assure your seniors that you're more than capable of getting the job done before the deadline.

Just like consistency, reliability is a common and celebrated trait amongst six-figure earners.

Powerful communication

If you can communicate a business plan to a client articulately and convince them to give your company a chance to do business with them, you will be a star in the eyes of your boss, and the six-figure salary will soon follow if you keep up the good work and bag more potential clients.

Not everybody is bold enough to make a presentation in front of clients.

If you can muster the courage and make a powerful presentation, a hefty paycheck won't be far behind.

In addition to the above, motivation and balanced thinking can get you closer to your dream salary. Make sure your hard work and determination don't go unnoticed by your bosses and you'll be well on your way to taking home a six-figure paycheck.

Lead image -- a scene from The Wolf of Wall Street -- published only for representational purposes.