10 Daily Habits of Highly Successful People

What makes some people extra successful? Though talent, luck, and chances matter, studies show daily habits are a big part of it¹. Learning from others’ habits can boost your own success. It starts you on a journey to achieve more in life.

This article will check out 10 daily things successful folks do. We’ll learn how to make them a part of our lives too. They involve planning, staying relaxed, and being aware. These habits can change how you think, up productivity, and help you reach your aims.

Key Takeaways

Successful people often have a set of daily habits that contribute to their success.
Learning and adopting these habits can unlock your own potential for growth and achievement.
The habits covered in this article include organization, relaxation, taking action, personal care, positive mindset, networking, frugality, early rising, giving back, and reading.
Cultivating positive habits takes time and consistent effort, but can have a transformative impact on your life.
Overcoming procrastination and fear of failure are key to developing successful habits.

The Power of Organized Living

Successful people know how much being organized can change your life². In “10 Daily Habits of Highly Successful People,” being organized is key. It talks about this over 381 pages². Being organized is needed at every phase of growing up: when you need others, when you can do things by yourself, and when you work well with others².

Planning and Prioritizing Goals

Being organized starts with setting and sorting out your goals. The most successful spend most of their time on important, non-urgent things. This way, they keep their eyes on their big goals and keep life in balance.

The Importance of a To-Do List

Making a daily to-do list is vital for living an organized life. Joel Brown from Addicted2Success.com says top performers make a list every night for the next day². This helps them stay on top of things, be super productive, and not let important tasks slip away.

Jack Dorsey, who started X Corp., thinks Sundays are great for planning. He uses this day to prepare for the week ahead². This habit helps successful people keep their goals and focus clear all week.

“Successful people are simply those with successful habits.” – Brian Tracy

Being organized, planning, and setting priorities helps the very successful lead their lives more effectively and with more purpose²³. These practices boost how much work they get done and give them power over their surroundings.

Company	Benefit of Implementing “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People®”
Global food-production company	Driven growth in multiple markets
Mississippi Power	Built a culture of leadership and effectiveness in response to industry deregulation
X-FAB, a leading foundry group for semiconductor applications	Improved personal productivity and team building
Birchwood Automotive Group	Experienced increased profitability as a result of transforming their culture

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People® course can be taken in many ways, tailored to how you like to learn³².

Embracing Relaxation and Mindfulness

Many successful people credit simple, strong habits for their achievements. They greatly value relaxation and mindfulness⁴.

Those habits boost well-being and work efficiency. Letting mindfulness into work can boost how well you think and decide. It also helps you feel better overall⁴.
Over time, making mindfulness a regular thing can change your brain. This can boost memory, focus, lower stress, and make your brain more active⁴.

To step back and slow down matters a lot for those who thrive. Mindfulness is more than just good for fighting off bad feelings and pain. It can also help hit personal goals or start new projects⁴.
Big companies like Google and Apple also support mindfulness. They see benefits for both their workers and the company itself⁴.

Relaxation and mindfulness aren’t just about one way to do things. They can be meditation, breathing exercises, or just stepping away from screens. Those who are winning know these breaks are key. They help to keep focus sharp, creativity high, and the mind tough⁵.

Research shows most top achievers do mindfulness every day⁵. It’s a sign that these are core habits, not just extras. By making these habits yours, you can reach your full potential and find lasting success⁵.

For leading a successful life, rest is as crucial for the mind as for the body. Most thoughts are repetitive. But, making mindful choices can decrease stress and overload⁵.
By focusing on mindfulness, people carve out space for growth in work and life. This approach leads to personal and professional achievements.

“Mindfulness is not about thinking, it’s about being. It’s about living in the present moment and being fully aware of what is happening around you and within you.”

The path to success is not straight; it’s full of turns and tests. Relaxation and mindfulness can help build toughness. And they prepare you for succeeding in a world that pushes hard⁴⁵.

Taking Action: From Plans to Reality

Successful people don’t just dream. They take action. Dave Sheahan says, “The action habit is vital for success.”⁶ They know a plan alone won’t reach goals. So, they put their plans into action.

Another trait of successful folks is to start before they feel ready⁶. They jump into action, not waiting for everything to be perfect. They know that first, bold step is crucial⁶. They focus on solving problems and quickly adapting to any obstacles⁷.

Start Before You Feel Ready

They believe procrastination slows progress. Instead of making excuses, they act⁷. Starting a new business or aiming for a big personal achievement, they understand the first step is tough yet vital.

Overcoming procrastination and embracing execution changes dreams into reality⁶. They keep their eyes on the prize, tweak their strategies, and work hard⁷.

“The most successful people in the world are also the most action-oriented people in the world.” – Dave Sheahan⁶

Success doesn’t come easy. But, forging ahead even when unsure, and beating procrastination, leads to big achievements⁶⁷.

Personal Care: Nourishing Mind and Body

Successful people know that taking care of themselves boosts their life and work. They eat well, work out, and keep clean. By doing this, they feed their mind and body⁸.

Diet, Exercise, and Hygiene

Women in this piece shared how being mindful helps them focus and be productive every day⁸. They start their day with calming activities like meditation or journaling. This helps them stay clear-headed⁸. Doing some physical activity also helps them handle stress and stay energetic⁸.

Looking after your skin and how you feel is key. A good skin routine keeps you looking and feeling good⁹. Don’t forget to take care of your mind with quiet time or uplifting thoughts. This can bring you peace and happiness⁹. Trying things like yoga or being thankful can lower stress and help you grow inside⁹.

Some think they don’t have enough time to care for themselves. But, successful people see the huge change these simple acts bring¹⁰. They focus a bit on mind, body, spirit, and their space. This lets them get the most out of taking care of themselves without stress¹⁰.

When you put yourself first, life gets better in many ways¹⁰. You’re less stressed and more on point, creative, and full of energy¹⁰. Successful people get this. They put time into themselves to do better at work and in life.

Cultivating a Positive Mindset

Having a positive mindset is key for top achievers. It’s been shown to lower stress and boost our immune system¹¹. Being around positive people keeps us focused on our goals¹¹. Research has proven that positive thinking improves both our mental and physical health¹¹.

Gratitude and Self-Talk Practices

Choosing gratitude and optimism can revolutionize how we see life¹¹. This mindset change brings good things our way. It helps successful people recover quickly from tough times¹². They also believe they can always get better through hard work¹².

Strong passion and a clear purpose push these achievers forward¹². They structure their lives to keep working hard on their dreams¹². These individuals choose to see the positive, no matter what¹². They also know that being thankful makes them stronger and happier¹².

“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer

By practicing gratitude and positive self-talk, successful people keep moving forward. They focus on the good and on what they can achieve. This way, they grow stronger and more optimistic, ready to face any challenge.

The Art of Networking

Successful people know that making strong connections is key. It’s not just about adding people to your contact list. It’s about forming real bonds and sharing ideas with others in your field. These relationships help create a positive and supportive social connections and collaborative environment. Here, opportunities flourish, and success comes faster.

Surrounding Yourself with Success

Author Thomas Corley¹³ found that 79% of rich folks spend five hours or more a month networking. This shows how much they value networking and mentorship. Building strong professional relationships is crucial for reaching your dreams and finding new chances.

Industry gatherings like conferences and local meetups are great for meeting others¹⁴. Before you go, set SMART goals to make your time count. And look up the people who will be there. Find the ones you really want to meet.

Making friends through networking can bring unexpected jobs your way¹³. Did you know, 80% of job spots are found this way? And 35% of people on LinkedIn say chatting there has led to new business deals.

¹⁴ Your LinkedIn profile is like your online business card. Make sure it shines with a good photo and a brief but catchy bio. Being active there can attract new chances your way.

¹⁴ Remember, networking is more than just making a list of contacts¹⁴. Try using digital means like business card apps and CRM tools to organize and grow your network better.

¹⁵ Sharing great stories and really listening make networking work better¹⁵. Stories and paying attention help you stand out and build deeper connections.

¹⁵ For professionals and those just starting out, networking is a must¹⁵. It opens doors and leads to opportunities. Now, with digital platforms, it’s easier to make the contacts you need.

¹⁵ Networking can help you become a leader. It’s a way to influence others and start important projects¹⁵. By sharing your thoughts and ideas, you can become someone others look up to and value.

¹³ Going to three networking events each month is recommended¹⁴. Having a prepared self-introduction can impress. And remember, to make your new contacts count, follow up within a day.

¹⁵ Networking is seen as a tool for creating wealth, both in money and in knowledge¹⁵. Strategic networking can help you reach your goals, whether it’s landing a great job or making important connections.

¹⁵ Building strong relationships is key for successful networking¹⁵. Stories of success from networking show the power of these connections¹³¹⁴¹⁵.

Frugality: A Path to Financial Success

Frugality means being smart with money, not cheap. It’s using resources wisely¹⁶. Those who succeed financially know how powerful being frugal is. They save a lot of their money by not wasting it. This saving helps them be financially stable and grow over time.

They are great at finding good deals and not paying too much¹⁶. They know that saving small amounts often can turn into big savings. This leads to a lot more money in the long run.

Keeping a budget is also key for those who do well with money¹⁷. They watch their spending closely and don’t buy things they don’t need. Instead, they put their money towards their goals. Doing this shows their financial discipline and focus.

Avoiding Waste and Overspending

They make sure not to waste or spend too much¹⁶. If they earn more money, they don’t automatically spend more. This can lead to saving a lot of money over time. They then use this money for investments and to reach their financial goals.

Using frugality at the right times can really pay off¹⁸. Those who are good savers usually keep being frugal. This helps them succeed financially in the long run.

So, the key to doing well with money is to be frugal. By not wasting money and being careful with budgets, people can make the most of their earnings. This leads to financial stability and growth over the years.

Highly Successful People and the Early Riser’s Club

Many successful individuals are known to be early risers. Studies show that being productive early leads to success. Figures like Tim Cook and Robert Iger start their days before dawn¹⁹.

A number of accomplished people belong to this “Early Riser’s Club,” each with their morning routine. Ellevest’s CEO Sallie Krawcheck wakes up at 4 a.m¹⁹. Vanguard’s Bill McNabb gets up between 5 and 5:15 a.m¹⁹. Olympic swinner Caroline Burckle starts her day at 5:30 a.m. for training¹⁹.

Getting up early has lots of benefits. Successful people find it helps them complete important tasks and start the day right. Mellody Hobson says, “the morning is the foundation of the day.”¹⁹

Name	Position	Wake-up Time
Tim Cook	Apple CEO	3:45 a.m¹⁹.
Sallie Krawcheck	Ellevest CEO	4 a.m¹⁹.
Bill McNabb	Vanguard Chairman	5-5:15 a.m¹⁹.
Caroline Burckle	Olympic Swimmer	5:30 a.m¹⁹.
Mellody Hobson	President, Ariel Investments	4-5 a.m¹⁹.

Early rising is crucial for managing time and boosting productivity. These early birds get more done and stay in control. Their dedication shows how a steady routine leads to success.

The “Early Riser’s Club” inspires others to follow their lead. Benjamin Spall, author of “My Morning Routine,” says starting early increases success odds¹⁹.

“The morning is the foundation of the day.”

– Mellody Hobson, President of Ariel Investments¹⁹

The Giving Mindset: Sharing Success

Many successful people share a key trait – they have a giving mindset. They give to charities and share their knowledge widely. They see the big value in sharing their success. Successful people believe their achievements should do more than just add up. They aim to leave a positive mark on their communities and the whole world.

Philanthropy and Community Involvement

Well-known philanthropists like Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, and Mark Zuckerberg²⁰ have done big things. They’ve not only made it big in business but have also put a lot into helping others. Through their charitable work, they understand that true success goes beyond money.

A giving mindset doesn’t just belong to the rich. People at all income levels can make a difference in their communities. You can help at a local school or community center without spending money²⁰. Giving your time and skills can really help those who need it. This helps make society better for all.

“Success is not just about what you accomplish for yourself. It’s about what you do for others.” – Oprah Winfrey

Having a giving mindset pays off in multiple ways. It benefits both the giver and the receiver. By getting involved and sharing what they have, successful folks show the true power of sharing success²⁰. They help make the world a better place for everyone.

Reading: A Gateway to Knowledge

Successful people know the huge advantage of reading. For them, reading is not just a hobby. It’s a way to always learn and get new ideas. Entrepreneur Mark Cuban reads over three hours daily. He feels this helps him stay ahead in business, especially with everything available on the internet now²¹.

Successful People’s Reading Habits

Successful folks have a big love for reading. They see it as key to growing personally. General Mattis says reading lots of books is vital. He thinks we need this to be our best because our own experiences may not be enough²¹. Theodore Roosevelt adds that books should grab the reader right now. He says what you make time for, you’ll do²¹.

Despite busy lives, achievers always find time to read²¹. They might read a few books at the same time, picking what to read based on how they feel. They also use tools like the Notecard System to remember important book points²¹.

For successful people, reading is key for learning and growing²¹. They include reading in their daily routine. It helps them learn and improves their success in life²¹.

“What gets scheduled, gets done.” – Michael Hyatt

Reading opens the door to a world of knowledge for anyone who loves it. It makes us grow, both personally and in our careers²¹. As Theodore Roosevelt said, books are like friends with their own stories. Finding a good book is fun and rewarding²¹.

Building Habits for Success

Cultivating the right habits is key to long-term success. It doesn’t matter if you’re aiming for personal growth, career success, or better finances. Starting with small, achievable goals and keeping at it is crucial.

Starting Small and Setting Goals

Begin by tackling small, bite-sized tasks. This is recommended by Thomas Corley. He says 79% of wealthy people spend at least five hours a month on new skills²². Try adding a few minutes daily to activities like reading, journaling, or mindfulness. Then, slowly raise the bar on what you do.

It’s also vital to set clear goals. A study in 2021 showed it takes about 59 days for a new habit to stick²². By turning your big dreams into small, achievable steps, you make it easier to keep going. Plus, you get a boost from seeing yourself progress.

Consistency and Tracking Progress

Consistency is critical. Mark Cuban reads more than three hours every day²². This shows the huge boost a daily routine can give you. Find the best time to add your new habit, and stick to that schedule.

Keep an eye on how you’re doing. Elon Musk says “Showering” is his most impactful daily habit²². Tracking your habits and celebrating the wins helps you stay on track. It also lets you tweak your plan for better results.

Finding your best habit plan is a personal journey. There isn’t one right way for everyone. Stay open to trying new things and changing your approach. Building habits takes personal effort and creativity.

Breaking Bad Habits

Ending a bad habit is as rewarding as starting a good one. It’s key to recognize the habit loop. This loop has triggers, routines, and rewards. These reinforce the habit. By understanding this cycle, you can change it into better habits.

Identifying Triggers and Routines

To begin, find what triggers your bad habits²³. Triggers are unique to each of us. They might come from certain times, feelings, or places. Once you spot these triggers, look at the actions that follow. This step is vital to break the loop of your habit.

Navigating Cues and Rewarding Yourself

Knowing your triggers and routines, the next step is to manage them and find new rewards²³. Try to hide or remove triggers for bad habits. At the same time, make good habits easy to do. You can also link new habits to fun activities or reward yourself instantly. This makes success more likely.

Sticking with your plan is important, but so is being ready to change²³. Use a habit journal or an app to keep track of your progress. Remember, the path to breaking bad habits isn’t always straight. Yet, with effort and a smart strategy, it’s possible to change your habits and reach your goals.

The Journey to Highly Successful People

The road to success isn’t simple. It twists and turns, showing victories and hurdles. Highly successful people get that growing and improving always matter. They believe picking up good habits, even the small ones, really boosts how they do and feel²⁴.

Developing the habits that lead to success isn’t harder than picking up bad ones. It’s about choosing things like waking up early or staying organized. The journey is about making these choices on purpose and really wanting to be better²⁴. Wanting to be excellent, not perfect, helps them move forward and beat what blocks their path²⁴.

Achieving success has its tough moments, but the highly successful can handle them. They know looking back helps them see how far they’ve come and keeps them working hard²⁴. They mix personal growth plans with always wanting to do better. This helps them turn dreams into real accomplishments. With the right habits and mindset, anyone can reach success despite the journey’s turns²⁴.

FAQ

What are some of the key habits that contribute to the success of highly influential individuals?

Successful people are often well-organized and enjoy their downtime. They take action, look after themselves, keep a positive mindset, and can connect with others well. They also handle money wisely, wake up early, and spend time sharing their achievements. Reading is also a big part of their routine.

Why is organization such an important habit for successful people?

Being organized helps successful folks a lot. They plan carefully, know what’s most important, and keep lists of what they need to do. This way, they can focus clearly and reach their targets.

How do successful people integrate relaxation and mindfulness into their routines?

They know taking breaks and calming techniques are key. This could be meditation or just avoiding things that distract them. These activities help relax them and ready them for any upcoming hurdles.

What role does taking action play in the habits of highly successful individuals?

Taking action is crucial for them. They jump into action without waiting for everything to be perfect. They always seek solutions and adapt fast to any problems or changes.

How do successful people prioritize personal care and wellness?

Personal care is at the top of their lists. They have their own ways of taking care of themselves, understanding that a healthy mind and body are fundamental for doing their best.

What are the key elements of a positive mindset that contribute to success?

They focus on being positive, using thankfulness and encouraging self-talk. They know a good attitude is both a cause and a result of their success.

How do successful people leverage the power of networking?

Networking is huge for them. They share ideas and work with others to learn and get support from their successful peers.

What does frugality mean in the context of successful people’s habits?

For successful people, frugality is about being smart with money. They avoid overspending and look for the best deals. This helps them save and grow financially.

Why do so many highly successful people make a habit of waking up early?

They wake up early to get a head start. Early mornings offer quiet time to focus, which many find very productive. Key figures like Sir Richard Branson, Robert Iger, and Marissa Mayer follow this practice.

How do successful people incorporate giving and sharing into their habits?

They make sure to give back. This can be through charity, sharing knowledge, or helping others with their ideas. They believe success is meant to be shared with more than just themselves.

What role does reading play in the habits of highly successful people?

Successful folks love to read. They use books to learn new things and gain insights that help them get ahead. People like Mark Cuban make reading several hours a day a priority.

How can individuals build successful habits, and what is the process for breaking bad habits?

To start good habits, begin with small steps and easy-to-reach goals. Stay with it consistently. For quitting bad habits, figure out what prompts them, understand the pattern, and swap the habit for a better one that still feels rewarding.