Have you ever really thought about what makes someone successful, whether in business, athletics, relationships, or any other area?  It’s not a secret. Success is a habit!

Successful people are successful because they have developed, not just one, but a series of good habits they regularly repeat. This makes overthinking about how to be successful impossible because, in a sense, when you quit plotting and stressing about the actions you should take and begin to rely on a series of well thought out habits, your success goes on automatic pilot.

Of course, if you focus on the wrong habits, like overspending or never getting enough sleep, then success will elude you. So how do you know what habits to develop? The easiest way is to look at what other successful people have done and then do what they do. I’ve rounded up ten good habits that most successful people make a part of their daily routine:

One – Successful People Read. A Lot.

The founder of Microsoft, Bill Gates, and technology executive Sheryl Sandberg, the Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, share this habit. They read. A lot. Reading exposes you to new ideas, inspires and motivates you, and helps you learn from (and avoid) the mistakes of others.

Two – Successful People Take Care of Their Bodies.

Ramit Sethi, who is a very successful financial author, found that a commitment to exercise was the number one habit successful people have in common.  Need help getting started?  Take a look at my article on how you can easily start a running program using a method that takes only 20 minutes three times a week.

Three – Successful People Make Time for Deep Work.

Cal Newport, a Georgetown University professor who wrote the book, Deep Work, defines it this way: “professional activities performed in a state of distraction-free concentration that push your cognitive capabilities to their limit, [which then] create new value, improve your skill, and are hard to duplicate.” Take a look at Deep Work then incorporate this habit into your life.

Four – Successful People Meditate.

In today’s distracted world, it’s important to do something every day to relieve stress and quiet the mind. Meditation improves ability to focus, boosts mental clarity, and calms the mind, body and emotions, all characteristics that support success.  See my recent blog devoted to developing a mindfulness practice.

Five – Successful People Batch Their Distractions.  

Distractions abound online, and it’s easy to get off track by checking email or getting on Facebook ‘just for a minute’ to see what‘s going on. Before you know it, you’re responding to messages and looking at YouTube videos! Tim Ferris, author of The Four Hour Work Week, recommends checking  email only twice a day, say 11 am and 4 pm, but not before you have finished at least one must-do item in your to-do list, both morning and afternoon.

Six – Successful People Just Say No.

Every time you say ‘Yes’ to one thing you are saying ‘No’ to something else. Here’s what billionaire investor Warren Buffett has to say: “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”

Seven – Successful People Think Big.

As Peter Diamandis, entrepreneur and founder of the X Prize Foundation puts it, “The reason, I believe, is even if you fail in doing something ambitious, you usually succeed in doing something important.” Check out his New York Times bestseller, BOLD: How to Go Big, Create Wealth, and Impact the World.

Eight – Successful People Get Enough Sleep.

Contrary to the myth that successful people burn the candle at both ends, successful people get enough quality sleep. Albert Einstein was said to function best on ten hours of sleep a night. Here’s a primer on sleep that is part of my series on anti-aging.

Nine – Successful People Cultivate a Positive Attitude.

They see opportunities where others see problems. They see lessons when others see only failure. Positive psychology professor Barbara Frederickson, author of the book, Positivity comments, “Positivity doesn’t just change the contents of your mind…it widens the span of possibilities that you see.”

Ten – Successful People Take Action.

They don’t just think up great ideas, they execute them, even imperfectly if need be. They also know that even the most successful people need a sounding board, a coach or an experienced mentor. I’d love to help you incorporate your own set of success habits into your daily life. Contact me by clicking here to set up a complimentary, no obligation consultation. I’m here to help!

Have you incorporated a habit that has helped you be more successful?  I love to hear new ideas so leave a comment on my blog and I’ll be sure to answer.

Enjoy these first days of summer!

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Categories: Wellness