Curious about how highly successful people make it to the top? Much has been written about how these individuals differ from those who never actually reach their goals. But the truth is that anyone can be successful. It all comes down to the little things you do consistently that will determine whether you come out a winner or not. In this post, we’ll talk about ten habits successful people do every day and how you can put them into practice for yourself.
Get Up Early
We’ve all heard the old saying, “The early bird catches the worm.” It implies that those who start their daily activities before everyone else is up will succeed in reaching their goals. But is it based in reality? A survey by Biologist Christoph published in the Harvard Business Review seems to prove this theory.
For many people, habitually starting the day out just a bit earlier can be a crucial factor in being more successful, no matter what their personal or career goals may be. A quiet, uninterrupted morning is less rushed and allows you to formulate your goals and plans for the day, and can help you feel more productive right out of the gate.
Make Exercise a Top Priority
It’s easy to skip your daily walk or gym workout, especially when life gets busy. But if you continue to put it off until tomorrow, one day, you may not have the strength to exercise at all! Successful people know that they need to keep their bodies in tip-top shape if they want to reach their business and personal goals.
The benefits of working out are numerous, and they all tie into other facets of your success. For example, regular exercise can:
- Improve your energy levels
- Help you get a better night’s sleep
- Boost your mood
- Keep you healthy
- Control your weight
Additionally, exercise has been shown to improve memory and brain function by increasing BDFN (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). BDFN can help you form new synapses that make it easy to learn (and remember) new information.
Be Grateful
According to a positive psychology study at Harvard, gratitude is closely linked to happiness. Have you ever noticed that the most successful people are the ones that have a positive attitude and are always looking on the bright side? Even when things go wrong, they always seem to find something to smile about.
Practicing gratitude is probably the easiest habit on this list for anyone to acquire. It’s also the most flexible. You don’t need any special skills. You can say the things you are grateful for out loud, in a journal, during prayer and meditation, while taking a walk, or whenever you like. The key is that you make it habitual.
Also important to note is that you don’t have to wait to “feel grateful” to learn this habit. In fact, the best time to practice is when you do not feel that grateful. Gratitude is cumulative and will build on itself over time. The more things you are thankful for, the more your life will transform. Sound like magic? Just try it and see what happens.
Feed Your Mind With Motivation
Another habit of successful people is that they feed their minds with content from other successful people. For example, reading a book written by an entrepreneur who has overcome the odds and found success or listening to a motivational video or podcast fall into this category.
There are no hard and fast rules on what to listen to or read, either. Whatever is inspiring and motivational to you will work. The point is that you are expanding your mind with another point of view. So instead of filling your head with gloomy, depressing news, feed your thoughts with something that can help you grow.
Get Organized
People who are highly organized are generally more successful than those who plan their lives haphazardly. Of course, everyone has the same 24 hours in a day, but to be successful, you must use those hours efficiently to reach your goals.
Organized people plan ahead for things. Whether it’s their child’s birthday party or an important business meeting, they write it down in a planner or calendar, so they don’t miss it. They make it to places on time and fulfill their promises by prioritizing the most important tasks of each day.
Staying organized is imperative to keep from stressfully rushing about and doing things at the last minute. As a result, everything runs smoother, which helps facilitate success.
Make Time for Relaxation
Many people equate success with being busy all the time, yet the most successful people know that if you don’t take time out for relaxation, you’ll pay for it. Being highly productive is excellent, but you’re only human, and sooner or later, you’ll suffer from burnout.
Your idea of relaxation is likely to be much different than someone else’s. The important thing is that you do it. So whether it’s cooking a delicious meal, spending the day at the beach, or skydiving, make sure you do it regularly. Many of our readers take surveys for money and find it a relaxing pastime that also helps them feel accomplished since they actually earn a little cash while doing it.
Doing something you love will help you reset and recharge your batteries. That way, you’ll be that much more productive when it’s time to get back to working on your goals.
Stay Humble and Charitable
This next habit may be controversial since some would argue that you can be highly accomplished and still be a jerk. While that is true, the most loved and remembered among those who have had success in life are usually people who are the most giving.
Most people don’t make it to the top on their own. Usually, they have a few others who have helped them along the way. Maintaining those important relationships is vital to staying successful, and remembering how you got where you are today will keep you humble.
Additionally, successful people know that there is little point to achieving wealth or reaching lofty goals if you can’t share your abundance with others who are not so fortunate. Whether checking on an elderly neighbor or volunteering at your local soup kitchen, the love you share with the world will always come back to you.
Set Goals and Reflect on Them Often
Successful people set goals to help them get to where they want to be. After all, you have to know what you want before you can get it, so carve out some time to set your goals and intentions.
Make a point of writing out your desires and wishes in very specific terms. Then, look at the big picture, going over the details of how you plan to achieve your goals. Don’t forget to schedule a time to reflect on the progress you’ve made, either. That way, you can alter or rearrange your plans as needed, so you can still reach your milestones.
Stay Focused
Distractions are all around us, but the most successful people know how to avoid them so they can get things accomplished. For example, how much time do you waste watching silly cat videos or scrolling through social media? These wasted moments are the ones that successful people identify and eradicate, and you can too.
There are many tools available to help you focus on the task at hand. At the most basic level, you can shut off all other media and simply concentrate on what needs to be done. Set a timer and work on one particular task until the time is up. You can also take advantage of time management and productivity apps to help you reach your goals.
Manage Your Stress Levels
Successful people also seem to be some of the most easygoing people around, and in many cases, their stress-free attitudes come naturally. But for those of us who were born a little high-strung, there’s work to be done.
An excessive level of worry and angst can keep you from living your life to the fullest and reaching your goals, and that’s unfortunate.
Learning relaxation and meditation techniques can help you let go of the little things so you can make room in your life for what matters. For some people, that means taking ten minutes in a quiet room and concentrating on their breathing. Others may need to enlist the help of a trained counselor. Either way, taking time to manage your stress and anxiety will go a long way toward helping you be successful.
