All of us have pondered the question “How can I become successful?” But what is the answer? In researching professional growth topics, I came across several blogs about the keys to success. Everything from how much sleep you get to how you spend your free time and who you associate with.
Growing up I was always told the keys to success were hard work, never stop learning and spend time with successful people in the area you want to be successful in. Turns out that was really good advice.
While exploring articles about habits of successful people including what they do on their off time, I found some really basic habits that can make a huge impact. I asked a few individuals to read some articles and highlight the habits that resonated with them the most. My sample audience included members of The Silent Generation, Generation X (Gen-X), Generation Y (Gen-Y, Millennials), and Generation Z (Gen-Z). I enjoyed seeing what each generation perceived as the most important habits and why.
Read more to find out the habits of successful people.
Every generation agreed that key habits were within reach. In a nutshell, successful people plan, learn, play, exercise and rest. Wait! What? That doesn’t seem like that would be it! But when you boil it all down, these are key components.
PLAN:
According to Success.com, successful people plan out their day the night before. Set clear goals the night before so when you wake-up you already have a plan for your day, even the weekends! Remember to be flexible as things don’t always go as planned, but with this strategy, you will accomplish much more than with no plan at all.
LEARN:
Successful people don’t stop learning. It’s one of the 10 habits of successful people, says Investopedia. And education doesn’t have to be formal academia, it can come from listening, asking questions and life lessons. A primary resource is reading, not so much for pleasure but with the goal of gaining knowledge and insight. Knowledge is power so when planning your day, carve out some time to read for growth.
PLAY:
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy! But does that really change whether he is successful? Take time to enjoy life and make time for your hobbies. Golf, crafting or even playing the ukulele like Warren Buffet, just take time to do something you enjoy. However, remember time is money so don’t waste it on things that can potentially mess up your daily plan. That quick look at Facebook could end up costing you several minutes and add up to hours or that scroll through Instagram could ultimately hinder your success.
EXERCISE:
How you treat your body affects all areas of your life. Eating right for energy, recharging while exercising and having some downtime to plan can help you accomplish your goals. According to Tom Corley, who spent five years studying successful people, “76 percent of the rich carve out 30 minutes or more for aerobic exercise like jogging, biking, or walking each day.” So make this a priority and turn it into a daily regimen.
SLEEP:
Sleep plays an important role in both your physical and mental health. Sleep helps your body heal itself and the human brain functions better when well-rested. Albert Einstein claimed to sleep 10 hours a day. Most of us don’t have that luxury, however seven to eight hours should be attainable and planned for. The early bird gets the worm and an earlier rise time may increase your rate of success too. According to time.com, 50% of extremely successful people wake three hours before their work day starts. Your brain takes time to function at its optimal level, so rise a little earlier so you can be crisp and ready to go for that first meeting of the day!
Now, obviously these aren’t the only steps to success. But these are ones you can easily add to your daily routine on your trek to success. And remember, success looks different for everyone; whether it’s making the most money possible, being an influential person, running an efficient business, or just making each day better than the last. Ultimately, success starts with you and what your goals are. Knowing your goals and knowing how you want to get there should be the first step in becoming successful because who better to make you successful, than you.
We were successful in growing Espoma’s social media presence. Download our case study to learn how to keep your online presence successful.
