Success means different things to different people. Some people strive for career success, and others pursue personal fulfilment and happiness. For me, success is about feeling fulfilled and satisfied with my life, and about achieving a balance between work and personal aspirations.
Ultimately, success comes down to finding a sense of meaning and purpose in life and committing to it as passionately and relentlessly as possible.
No matter what your personal definition of success is, I have 7 habits that you can follow to help you achieve success in every area of your life. I’ve also prepared a bonus tip at the end that will take your efforts to the next level.
But before you review the list, I want you to define what success means to you. Before you can strive for it, you need to know what it means to you. What are your goals and aspirations? What do you value and find fulfilling? Take some time to think about these questions and write down your answers.
(1) Set clear goals and work towards them consistently
Setting goals and consistently working towards them is one of the most important keys to success in any area of life. We should all have a clear understanding of what we want to accomplish. Choose a target we want to aim for, then consistently take actions that will take you closer and closer to reaching that goal.
But before you can work towards something you need to know exactly what you want to accomplish. You should start by defining your goals in specific and measurable terms. A great technique to use is the SMART system which was developed in 1981 by George Doran, Arthur Miller and James Cunningham, and is used by successful people and businesses as a highly effective goal-setting framework. The acronym “S.M.A.R.T” stands for - Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely.
Each goal you set should consist of the following:
Specific: Your goals should be clearly defined, so you know exactly what you're working towards and can plan accordingly.
Measurable: Tracking your progress is key to staying motivated and making adjustments as necessary. Your goals should be measurable, so you can see how far you've come and how much further you have to go.
Achievable: While it's important to challenge yourself, your goals should still be realistic and attainable. This will help you avoid frustration and maintain a positive mindset throughout the process.
Relevance: Your goals should align with your long-term objectives, whether that's in your personal or professional life. This will help you stay focused and motivated, even when the going gets tough.
Timely: To stay on track and maintain momentum, it's important to set a realistic and time-based end date for achieving your goals. This will help you prioritize your efforts and avoid procrastination.
Using myself as an example, instead of setting a vague goal such as "getting in shape," I chose instead to set a defined objective which was losing 10 pounds in 3 months. I had a specific, measurable, achievable, and relevant goal that had a set timeline. I was more motivated to work towards my goal and to measure my progress along the way.
(2) You Must Be Resilient
Resilience is an important quality that is often overlooked when it comes to achieving success. Successful people understand that setbacks and failures are inevitable, and they use them as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than letting them bring them down.
I’ve listed below a few tips that will help you in developing your resilience:
Embrace challenges: Instead of avoiding challenges, embrace them as opportunities to learn and grow. When you face challenges head-on, you become more resilient and better equipped to handle future challenges.
Learn from failures: Rather than dwelling on failures, use them as opportunities to learn and improve. Analyze what went wrong and how you can do better in the future.
Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself is essential to resilience. Make sure you're getting enough rest, eating well, and exercising regularly. These habits help you stay physically and mentally strong.
Build a support network: Having a support network of friends, family, and mentors can help you stay resilient during challenging times. Reach out to others when you need help or encouragement.
(3) Keep Learning and Growing
Continuous learning and personal growth are essential for success in today's fast-paced world. Successful people understand the importance of investing in themselves and are always seeking new knowledge and ways to improve themselves.
It’s important to keep learning and growing so that you:
Stay Relevant: In today's rapidly changing world, new skills and knowledge are constantly being introduced. Keeping up with these changes is essential to stay relevant in your field and remain competitive in the job market.
Increase Your Confidence: As you acquire new skills and knowledge, your confidence increases. This can lead to more opportunities and greater success in both your personal and professional life.
Expand Your Network: Learning from others is a great way to expand your network and build valuable relationships. Connecting with like-minded individuals can help you stay motivated and inspired.
Improve Problem-Solving Skills: Learning new things can help you develop better problem-solving skills. When faced with a challenge, you will be better equipped to come up with creative solutions and overcome obstacles.
(4) Develop a Growth Mindset
The mindset we adopt can greatly influences our actions, habits, and ultimately, our success. People with a growth mindset believe that their abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. In contrast, people with a fixed mindset believe that their abilities and intelligence are predetermined and cannot be changed. Developing a growth mindset can lead to greater success and fulfilment.
Embrace Challenges and Failure: Don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and tackle new challenges. You should view failure as a chance to learn and improve, rather than a sign of your inability. Embracing challenges can help you develop resilience and perseverance, which are essential qualities for achieving success.
Focus on Effort and Process: People with a growth mindset focus on the effort and process rather than the outcome. They understand that success is not just about achieving a specific goal, but also about the journey to get there. By focusing on effort and process, you can develop a strong work ethic and learn to enjoy the process of learning and growing.
(5) Surround yourself with positive, supportive people
The people we surround ourselves with have a significant impact on our lives. They can either lift us up or bring us down. Surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people is crucial to your overall well-being and success. Here are some reasons why:
Positive Energy: Positive, supportive people bring positive energy into your life. Being around individuals who uplift and encourage you can boost your mood, increase your motivation, and help you stay focused on your goals.
Encouragement: Surrounding yourself with supportive people means having people in your life who will encourage you to pursue your dreams and passions. They can offer valuable insights and advice, and help you stay accountable.
Inspiration: Positive, supportive people can inspire you to be your best self. Seeing others achieve their goals and overcome obstacles can motivate you to do the same.
Reduce Stress: Negative, toxic people can drain your energy and cause unnecessary stress. Surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people can help reduce stress and promote a sense of well-being.
So how can you surround yourself with positive, supportive people?
Identify Negative Influences: The first step to surrounding yourself with positive people is identifying negative influences in your life. This can include individuals who constantly criticize, belittle, or bring you down.
Seek Out Positive People: Seek out individuals who bring positivity and support into your life. This can include friends, family, colleagues, mentors, or community groups.
Set Boundaries: Setting boundaries is important when it comes to maintaining positive, supportive relationships. This can include saying no to negative influences or setting expectations for how you want to be treated.
(6) Take care of yourself physically and mentally
Taking care of yourself physically and mentally is essential for living a healthy and fulfilling life. Neglecting self-care can lead to stress, burnout, and a host of physical and mental health problems. Here are some tips to help you take care of yourself:
Physical Self-Care: Regular exercise has numerous physical and mental health benefits. It can help you manage stress, improve your mood, and maintain a healthy weight.
Eat Nutritious Foods: Eating a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can help you maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and improve your overall well-being.
Get Enough Sleep: Lack of sleep can lead to a host of physical and mental health problems. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to feel refreshed and energized.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking enough water is essential for good health. Aim for 8-10 glasses of water per day to stay hydrated.
Mental Self-Care: Practice Mindfulness: Mindfulness involves paying attention to the present moment without judgment. It can help you manage stress and improve your overall well-being.
Practice Gratitude: Practicing gratitude involves focusing on the positive things in your life. It can help you maintain a positive outlook and improve your mental health.
Connect with Others: Social connections are essential for good mental health. Make time for friends and family, or join a club or organization to meet new people.
(7) Be proactive and take initiative
Being proactive and taking initiative are two important traits that can help you achieve success. When you take the initiative, you are demonstrating your willingness to go above and beyond what is expected of you, and you are taking control of your own life and career.
How can you be more proactive and take initiative:
Take Responsibility: Take ownership of your actions and take responsibility for your mistakes. This demonstrates maturity and accountability, and shows that you are willing to learn and grow from your experiences.
Anticipate Needs: Look for opportunities to anticipate the needs of your team, your boss, or your customers. This can help you be more proactive in addressing issues before they become bigger problems.
Offer Solutions: Instead of just pointing out problems, offer solutions. This shows that you are proactive and willing to take the initiative to find solutions to problems.
Take Action: Don't wait for someone else to tell you what to do. Take action and be proactive in pursuing your goals and objectives.
Bonus Tip – Boost Your Focus and Motivation with Affirmations
Affirmations are an amazing tool to inspire success in your life. By repeating positive statements to yourself, you can shift your mindset and focus on achieving your goals. Here are some affirmations to try out:
· I am capable of achieving great things.
· I trust in my abilities and my potential.
· I am worthy of success and happiness.
· I believe in myself and my dreams.
· I am motivated to take action towards my goals.
· I am grateful for all the opportunities that come my way.
· I am surrounded by positive energy and support.
Check out our YouTube channel which is packed with positive affirmations to motivate you everyday on your road to success.
Conclusion
Because success means different things to different people, it's kind of subjective. Some people who are super successful have certain habits they stick to, like figuring out what success actually means to them. People with a "can-do" attitude believe in improving themselves and taking on tough challenges, even when they fail. They also take care of themselves and hang out with positive people, and make sure to balance work and life. If you want success in all parts of your life, try adopting these habits. With a positive mindset and a little bit of hard work, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to!
To support you on your journey to success, I'm excited to offer you a FREE download of 30 Affirmations for Success Cards and a Goals Planner (click below). These tools are designed to help you stay motivated, focused, and organized as you work towards your dreams. The affirmations will inspire and uplift you, providing a daily reminder of your potential and worth. The goals planner will help you map out your objectives, track your progress, and celebrate your achievements along the way. Together, these resources will empower you to create a positive mindset and a clear action plan for achieving your goals.