Success – measured by the long-term fulfillment and happiness you feel about your life – is created through your commitment to a set of daily, quiet habits. Success isn’t one big action or move. Quite the opposite, it is a devotion to honoring what is most important to you and to becoming the best version of yourself each and every day. Here are top habits of highly successful people:
Journaling and Personal Writing
The benefits from journaling don’t necessarily come from the act of writing itself, but more so how and what you write. You could use writing to further your victim mentality and to complain about the problems that have happened in your life, or you can use writing to learn about yourself, to think deeply about your future and the actions you’re taking, and to enhance your emotional intelligence. Successful people find a little bit of time in their day to write. It could be in the morning, before bed, or on their lunch break, in order to ask themselves questions that probe the truth out of their unconscious, to express and regulate their emotions, and to to find clarity about their life’s purpose and priorities.
Meditate
A huge part of achieving success is ending self-sabotage, eradicating limiting and self-doubting beliefs, fostering self-love and self-efficacy, understanding how you need to carry yourself, and developing presence and centeredness. Finding 10-20 minutes every day will allow you to improve at all of these things as well as to give yourself a sacred space to find calm, be at peace, and practice gratitude. You’ll be prepared to lead and take on the problems of the day with a sharp mind.
Read Lots of Books
Successful people see education as a lifelong pursit, one that does not end until the day they die. The average CEO reads 4 to 5 books per month, while the average person reads about 5 to 10 books per year. Reading keeps your brain healthy and sharp and it also offers you an opportunity to escape the chaos of work life for a brief time while simultaneously growing your knowledge and creativity. Read all sorts of books—biographies of greats, books related to your industry, books on learning new skills, on history, philosophy, psychology, and whatever will make you better. If you don’t have enough time (which is honestly a lame excuse) then use audiobooks, they’re cheaper and faster.
Have a Morning Routine
Every weekday I wake up around 6AM and do a 30 to 45 minute-long workout in my house that includes a handful of exercises that work on my mobility, flexibility, and on reinforcing a strong and healthy posture. From there I take 20 to 30 minutes to meditate, breathe deeply, practice gratitude, and plan out my day and do a little bit of writing. I then drink a cup of Bulletproof coffee while reading a chapter or two of whatever book I’m on. By then it’s about 8 to 8:30AM and I’m ready to tackle the day and accomplish what I want. A morning routine allows you to allot yourself a sacred space, a period of time dedicated to being at ease and being alone with your thoughts and emotions. Morning routines are frequently lauded for providing structure and nurturing purpose for the rest of your day. I’d argue they are essential to fostering a truly fulfilling and meaningful life.
Build and Nurture a Tribe
It is a commonly repeated saying that “you are the average of the 5 people you most associate with.” The people you spend most of your time with will greatly influence your habits, mindset, life outlook, as well as the opportunities that you come across. This is why you should strive to surround yourself with people who are smarter, wealthier, more experienced, and happier than you. We become a product of our environment, so fill your environment with empowering, supportive, collaborative, and joyful influences. In order to do this, though, you yourself need to be someone who is valuable and enjoyable to be around. Perhaps you’re someone who is hilarious, is a good listener, or gives good advice. There are an unimaginable number of ways to offer value.
Set Strong Boundaries and Value Your Time
Successful people understand that in order to achieve their dreams, to build the life that they want, and to become best version of themselves they have to be real with themselves. This means understanding that we only have one life, that our time here on earth is incredibly short, and that in order to achieve what is most important to you, you must dedicate yourself to your purpose, to discipline, and to action. This means cutting out any influences, habits, and behaviors that do not support your highest goals and being honest about what is holding you back. For many this means cutting out junk food, drugs, negative friends, and lazy behaviors. This means saying “no” more often and valuing yourself, your goals, and your time.
Find Time for Play and Relaxation
We go to work so that we can better enjoy life and share the fruits of our labor with others, so it should be clear that there is more to life than just work. If you are someone who is working extremely hard, then you should also be carving out time dedicated to yourself, to relaxing, to being with loved ones, to socializing. Find time to let go of worry, enjoy life, and connect with others. You’ll be energized, nourished, and ready to hustle even harder and create more value.