the daily habits of successful people - what successful people do

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Your habits are the foundation of your success.

The things you do daily form your personality, create your future and give you the lifestyle you currently have.

And if you’ve decided to do something about your life, to edit it so that it can be the way you like it, then you need to work on your habits. And once you make a change – start a new behavior, break an old one, or replace a bad habit with a good one – you need to stick with it.

You need to stay consistent, never let outer circumstances and people make you fall back into your old behavior. You should always keep in mind that you weren’t satisfied with the person you were while having that habit, that you fought your demons one by one and did something about it, and are now over it.

In other words, you need to be ruthless with your habits. So before we get into the daily habits of successful people, here are 3 ways to be serious about your habits and make them stick:

1. Let go of people who have a bad influence on you.

A person who’s overcome drug addiction, for instance, should never spend time with his old friends who are still using again. No doubt about that.

But that applies to simpler and more common situations in daily life too. If you’ve finally become more confident, you shouldn’t go back to the environment or people who make you feel inferior and doubt your abilities.

2. Make it a priority.

Some of the things you do daily, whether you’ve turned them into successful habits or not, are more important than others. Maybe they help you make a living, or bring you happiness and a sense of control, or give you instant gratification.

Whatever that is, you need to keep doing them no matter what. And the best way is to put them on the top of your to-do list.

My work is probably the most important part of my day. That’s why I’m doing it first thing in the morning. I wake up early (most of the time) because of it, I dedicate my most productive time (the first part of the day) to it, I don’t eat or communicate with others while working for 4-5 hours straight.

It took me time to find out this exact way to do things, but it works wonders. I know it’s what works for me and don’t need to think about it again. I know I’ll feel great after this focused productive period and that I get a lot done during it.

I’m ruthless as I don’t let anything or anyone else prevent me from doing it.

If someone asks me out, or if I have other important things to do, I just schedule them for later in the day. And nothing really changes, except that I finish my work, and am then free to do anything else.

The other person may find it hard to accept the rejection, though, but that’s how ‘the ruthless you’ does it – the part of you that knows exactly what you want in life and is getting there step by step.

3. Plan in advance.

Preparation is key if you’re aiming for at least 70-80% success rate (perfection isn’t a realistic target when it comes to personal development).

If you’re trying to change your eating habits, for instance, and have weekly family dinners which usually include a huge amount of (tasty and tempting) food, you can do something about it now:

• let the hosts (your parents probably) know that you’re trying to eat less or avoid certain types of food so that they can stop offering it to you all the time;
• drink a lot of water before that;
• eat at your place before you go;
• focus on the salads and other low-calorie foods;
• let that be the only day of the week when you can eat as much as you want;
• have an intense workout this day.

Or if you’re trying to develop the habit of drinking 2-3 liters of water daily, then take a bottle with you wherever you go. And drink one glass immediately upon waking up.

All these are simple things to do, but require some thinking in advance and organization.

So that’s how you do it – show no pity, be merciless and unforgiving.

Only this way will other people in your life stop trying to sabotage your improvement. That’s how you’ll apply that approach to other areas of your life too – like your time, freedom, money and dreams.

And once you stop letting other people and outer factors decide what you do, how you do it and how you feel about it, you’ll also stop blaming and making excuses, and will thus take responsibility for everything that happens in your life.

And with that comes great power and confidence. And you achieve much more.

But the beginning is small. You need to be ruthless with your habits first. Now that you’re aware of this, let’s see some of the top daily habits of successful people.

Daily Habits of Successful People That Get Massive Results

Do you wish to get the results of successful people? Most entrepreneurs who are successful share similar routines and ideals which play a fundamental part in their success.

In this guide, we’ll look at some of the best daily habits of successful people:

1. They wake up early.

The benefits of waking up early are many and great.

Leaving bed an hour earlier than we have to, for example, gives us extra time that can be invested in personal and spiritual growth and planning and organizing the following day.

It will also give you some quiet time for yourself, you won’t need to be in a rush as usual, and all this will be your reason to wake up with the first alarm.

2. They have a morning routine.

Author Laura Vanderkam studied the schedules of several high achievers extensively.

She discovered one thing that all these achievers had in common. They got up very early in the morning, and almost all of them had a well planned morning routine.

Waking up in the early hours has a number of benefits.

First you get the opportunity to be present before any demands are made of you, and before you have to begin working on your objectives. Usually, this can enhance your mood, as you feel in charge of your life.

Waking up early and finishing your morning routine will make you feel in control and confident, ready to deal with any difficulties that the day throws to you.

There are many morning habits you can choose from, and each can take as little as 5 minutes.

Be it meditation, making a to-do list, keeping morning pages, reading something inspirational, journaling, decluttering your desk, eating a healthy breakfast, or else. Choose a few of these and do each right after you leave bed.

Such a routine helps you kickstart the day and be energetic, peaceful and in a good mood till the end of it.

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3. Successful people do the essential work first.

Most people get to work and begin their day with simple tasks, for instance sending emails.

However, our brains are very active during the morning hours, so this is the right time to handle the most difficult tasks.

If you don’t get the chance to work on your selected task first thing, then you have to take things onto your own hands.

Come into work early, or do the work from home. You can adjust your schedule for the next day while you are still in the office.

Steal this one of the top daily habits of successful people by scheduling to do the most important tasks early in the morning.

We all have a certain period of the day when we’re more productive than usual. It’s important to find out when that time is and make the most of it. Even if that’s not the morning, go for it.

Use it to get done the most important tasks you have for the day, the hardest project you’re working on which requires a lot of concentration, and the activities closely related to your goals in life that will give you immediate results.

Do all these during your most productive time. And make sure you let people know that you don’t want to be disturbed while working.

4. They don’t tense when things go a bit wrong.

Most individuals begin to feel anxious and stressed when things don’t go as planned. However, these things can occur on a daily basis.

Most successful people are aware that they don’t have the ability to control everything, and expect mistakes. Handling difficult issues is a great path toward being a successful person.

You should plan for mistakes and deal with them efficiently and rationally as they arise. You can spare some extra time every single day to help you deal with issues that arise.

5. Get a motivation boost before you go out.

After your morning ritual and before you go out, try some of these to motivate yourself and feel more confident:

  • repeat confidence affirmations in the mirror;
  • write down a few things that will make today great;
  • visualize success;
  • listen to music and dance for a few minutes;
  • read motivational quotes out loud;
  • watch an inspirational video.

Here’s a list of motivational quotes to get you pumped up.

6. They work even when they don’t need to.

Most people don’t work during the morning hours, weekend and evenings. But it is important to note that you could be wasting your productivity.

One of the top habits of successful people is to work anytime inspiration strikes, as they are sure they will be more productive at that time. If you have a lot of work to do, strike while you still have the right inspiration, even if it you are not at work.

7. 80/20 your day.

Use the Pareto principle in anything you do, that itself is one of the essential habits that will help you double your productivity and dominate every day.

It says that only 20% of the things you do give you 80% of the progress you see.

So define these and focus on them more, while eliminating the rest.

Be selective because your time and focus are limited. It’s always better to invest them in what truly matters and will make you happy and successful in the long-term.

8. They keep their complete schedules in one place.

It is critical to ensure you record all your appointments and meetings in one place rather than having them scattered throughout several notebooks, applications and calendars.

Instead of planning parts of their schedule on different devices, high achievers put everything together on one device.

You should select the device you are more comfortable with and utilize the most, whether it is your notebook or Smartphone.

9. They understand the importance of teamwork.

Most entrepreneurs who make it, understand the importance of teamwork.

You cannot be successful if you work just on your own. It is important to work with others, accept their new ideas and be willing to compromise.

If you work in a team with others, schedule a mail chain with your fellow workers.

10. Exercise.

Get moving for an hour daily.

Often people complain that they don’t have any time to work out. That’s when waking up earlier comes in handy. Include a quick workout in your morning routine, and you can be sure you’ll be more energetic and fresh for the whole day.

11. Meditate.

Peace of mind is a must if you want to stay sane, be creative, handle the daily problems with ease and enjoy life more.

Meditation can help you with that. Spend 5-15 minutes in the morning and/or evening to just sit down quietly and try to empty your mind, focus on your breathing and think of a positive mantra.

That will immediately calm you down and will help you stay peaceful and contented all the time.

12. They take their work very seriously.

The highly successful people of today also see value in what they do, and they truly believe in their work.

If you don’t believe in your work, it is very difficult to become productive and find meaning in it. You should not get side tracked by individuals who don’t have faith in you and you should remain highly motivated.

If you strongly believe in your work, however, then you definitely don’t need assurance from others.

At the end of your working week, review your goals and objectives, and see how you are progressing towards achieving the goals.

13. Review your goals in the evening.

Make sure you have everything you want to achieve written down, in details.

Set aside a few minutes each evening, after the day is officially over, to review these. That’s when you’ll remind yourself of your vision for the future and thus get a motivation boost. But this exercise will also help you analyze everything you did during the day, how productive you were, and what can be improved so that you keep moving towards these goals.

14. They relax once they are done.

Worrying about work when you are not there, can really make you feel less productive once you start working again.

It is advisable to write down your working objective for the next day when you complete your work, as this will make you feel motivated for the following day. Then, you can really switch off for the moment, and enjoy your down time.

Here’s how this one of the daily habits of successful people works: Write down 3 objectives you wish to achieve during the following working day. You should also write down how you intend to achieve the goals, as this will assist you to feel more focused. As such, you can wind down and enjoy your evening.

In case such type of thoughts is disturbing you, one of the best ways to relax your mind is with some music.

Next Level Habits to Add to Your Daily Routine

And now, here’s a list of more of the things successful people do daily. These are what I call ‘next level habits’, though, and it’s best to only make them part of your routine once you’ve created the foundation. Meaning, once you’ve developed most of the habits we already listed and are comfortable with your results but want to perform even better and have space in your day for more activities.

If that’s the case, here’s what else successful people do daily:

15. Journaling

Successful individuals often keep a journal to reflect on their thoughts, accomplishments, and challenges. Journaling provides clarity, helps track progress, and serves as a tool for self-reflection.

Also read: 100 Journal Prompts for The New Year [2024 Journal Ideas]

16. Visualization

Many successful people practice visualization techniques. They mentally picture their goals and success, which can enhance motivation, build confidence, and reinforce a positive mindset.

17. Task Delegation

Successful leaders understand the importance of delegation. They delegate tasks that others can handle effectively, allowing them to focus on high-priority responsibilities and strategic initiatives.

18. Regular Breaks

Taking regular breaks is another one of the daily habits of successful people, and it’s crucial for maintaining focus and preventing burnout.

Successful individuals understand the value of short breaks to recharge and maintain high productivity levels.

19. Feedback Seeking

Seeking and giving constructive feedback is a common habit among successful individuals. They view feedback as a valuable tool for personal and professional growth, allowing them to continuously improve.

20. Creativity Boosting

Successful people often engage in activities that boost creativity, such as brainstorming sessions, exposure to new ideas, or exploring hobbies. Creativity fosters innovation and problem-solving skills.

21. Acting with Purpose

Successful individuals align their actions with a sense of purpose. They make decisions based on their values and long-term goals, ensuring that their daily activities contribute to their overarching mission.

22. Mindful Eating

Some successful individuals practice mindful eating, paying attention to their food and eating habits. This promotes healthier choices, improved digestion, and a greater connection to their overall well-being.

23. Gratitude Expressions

Successful people not only feel gratitude but express it regularly. They may express appreciation to team members, colleagues, or mentors, creating a positive and supportive work environment.

To practice gratitude, you might want to keep a gratitude journal. Here are some prompts to help you with that.

24. Personal Development Reading

Many successful people incorporate reading into their daily routine, focusing on personal development books, industry-related literature, or materials that inspire and motivate them.

25. Innovation Time

Allocating time for creative and innovative thinking is a habit of successful individuals. They set aside dedicated time to brainstorm ideas, explore new concepts, and envision the future.

Over to you now.

All these daily habits of successful people are easy, quick and don’t require any special skills. But once you do them, you’ll feel much better.

Most of them just trick your mind into being more positive and confident, others just let you fake it till you make it. But it works.

That’s how you dominate your day. Which of these essential habits do you consider most important? Why?

Wondering what successful people do daily? Check out 25 daily habits of successful people you may want to give a try: