Top 10 Habits of Successful People

Have you ever wondered why clickbaits like ‘How to become successful in 10 days’ work these days? Most of us want a shortcut or an easy way out to success, but this is not how it works.

Success isn't an overnight destination but a continuous journey; it's a whole way of leading your life that decides your success or failure. In his book Atomic Habits, author James Clear states, ‘’Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out. It's not about the destination but the habits forged along the journey.’’

Success might have different meanings for a lot of people, but in the end, it's the effort you put into your self growth journey and personal development. In this article, we will shed light on 10 habits of successful people. So yes, let’s learn how consistency and some success habits led them to where they are

1. Having a Growth Owner Mindset

Out of the 10 habits of successful people, a growth mindset is at the top of the list. They believe that their abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. They view failures as opportunities to learn and grow, rather than setbacks. This mindset allows them to approach challenges with enthusiasm and resilience.

Renowned psychologist Carol S. Dweck, in her book "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success," defines a growth mindset as the belief that one's abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. Dweck emphasized that those who don't rely on innate abilities but rather believe in creating their talents tend to achieve more success. 

Instead of having a growth mindset, most of us have a fixed mindset that says that abilities are only gifted, not developed or learned. A fixed mindset hinders success as it develops a constant sense of fear. This sense of fear leads a person to miss out on their share of opportunities and success, as demonstrated by Dr. Dweck in her research.

Hence, in the pursuit of achieving success, developing a growth mindset has to be the first and essential step.

2. Effective Habit Formation

The art of creating and maintaining habits is an essential skill among all successful people

The question is how to create a habit effortlessly? The secret sauce lies in The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg, where he emphasizes the cue, routine, and reward loop. To make it simple Duhigg explains that recognizing triggers, being consistent, and rewarding yourself through the journey is the best way to master a habit.

Ever heard of baby steps? It means to start small. When it comes to developing a habit, starting small is an approach that creates a bigger impact.

Success is also a habit that requires consistent action. It’s not always about the drastic changes; it's about embracing the reflection of who you want to become and then working towards it. Strict discipline might get you demotivated easily, but implementing Fogg’s strategy of starting small will take your life towards betterment.

3. Maintaining a Healthy Life Balance

In this fast-paced modern world, living a balanced life often gets very difficult. An unhealthy work-life balance hinders your success by deteriorating your physical health. According to a study by the World Health Organization, long working hours contribute to approximately 745,000 deaths annually due to stroke and heart disease.

If you study the daily routine of successful people, you will get to know how religiously they prioritize their health and do not compromise on it. They have a set of working hours, take regular breaks, and prioritize their mental and professional well-being simultaneously. As Jim Rohn said, ‘'Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live. A healthy work-life balance is a lifelong journey so make sure you keep striving for it by creating a sustainable equilibrium between work and taking a time off.

4. Prioritizing Long-Term Goals Over Instant Gratification

You know a major reason people are unable to succeed is their urge for instant gratification. There is nothing such as ‘Instant’ when it comes to success. Successful people always focus on their long-term goals and delay gratification as they aim for sustained success.

Developing a habit of prioritizing long-term goals requires taking consistent steps, especially in the days you don't see immediate results. As Walter Mischel says, ‘’The ability to delay gratification is critical for a successful life. Those who can master it are more likely to achieve their long-term goals." Success is always about sustained effort, looking at the bigger picture, and delaying instant gratification as much as possible.

5. Mindful Technology Use

Most of us have heard things about being mindful, but when it comes to the use of technology, do we really know the role of being mindful? 

Mindful use of technology is a crucial element for personal and professional success. Research by the Yale School of Medicine explains how excessive screen time can lead to higher levels of stress and anxiety. Mindful use of technology includes making decisions in which you allocate your time purposefully to have a pleasant impact overall. In short, gamify your life so you can reduce stress and have the mental clarity to make the best move toward success. 

Practicing digital detox, where you purposefully take time off to reconnect with the physical world, increases both focus and clarity. In the tech world, it’s always good dopamine vs. bad dopamine. Successful people know how to choose wisely.

6. Building a Supportive Network

Great achievers follow the mantra that says, "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together’’. The journey of success is never easy, you have to face hurdles and difficulties and that’s where having a supportive network comes in.

Having a group of friends and mentors not only provides us with immense support but also helps us to make informed decisions that contribute to our success. Best-selling author and motivational speaker Jim Rohn summarizes, "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." This perfectly explains how deeply we are influenced by the people around us and how they are connected to our success.

7. The Power of Goal Setting

Renowned author Zig Zaglar wrote, "If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time."

To be successful, one has to understand the importance of setting clear goals and guide his actions accordingly. According to research, goal setting not only increases your motivation but also improves your overall performance. Developing this habit instills a sense of purpose and gives you the right direction towards success. Harvard Business Study shows that 3% of MBA graduates who had clear, written goals ended up earning ten times more than the other 97% who didn't have any goals. 

Hence, Setting goals is the key to success!

8. Track the Progress

The road to success isn't only about setting your goals or having a focus, it's about tracking the progress as well.

Progress tracking is all about converting abstract goals into measurable outcomes. Successful people understand the importance of tracking their progress every day to see where they stand. As a renowned management consultant, Peter Drucker once said, "What gets measured gets managed."

Secret success habits are mostly hidden in a person’s daily routine. Once progress tracking becomes a part of your daily routine, your actions start to align with the goals, eventually leading to success. John C. Maxwell explains this beautifully in his book, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth; "You'll never change your life until you change something you do daily. 

Your habit of progress tracking will take you to places beyond your imagination!

9. The Art of Continuous Learning

The art of learning isn't just about merely acquiring knowledge, it's about the commitment to growth in the face of change. The habit of continuous learning acts as a driving force to excel in your overall excellence and success.

UNESCO report reveals that lifelong learning has a great role in increasing employability and fostering personal growth. In order to be successful one has to understand that the world is changing rapidly and it's crucial to stay updated on the changes that come every day.

Learning is now not only restricted to traditional classrooms as it has made its home on the internet as well. You now have access to online platforms, mentorships, and wisdom, all it takes is the hunger to learn every day. This will not only help you excel but always keep you relevant as well. So, take every day as an opportunity to learn and always remind yourself to never stop learning because stagnant water always gets contaminated.

10. Time Management

'Time is what we want most, but what we use worst'- William Penn.

Effective time management is not just about getting things done, it's a strategic art that increases productivity. Most of us say we value time but continue to scroll aimlessly, procrastinate, and stay zoned out during working hours. A survey by Salary.com revealed that a staggering 89% of employees acknowledge wasting time at work. 

Time management is a skill that most successful people practice and acknowledge its contribution to their success. A study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology revealed that individuals who set specific plans for task completion were 91% more likely to achieve their goals.

Successful people make sure that they first identify the demand and nature of the tasks to be done and then prioritize them accordingly. After prioritizing, they break the big tasks into manageable ones and hence, stay productive throughout the day.

Time management takes time and practice like all other habits but once practiced correctly, it is truly transformational.

In a Nutshell

The top 10 habits of successful people reveal that success is not a coincidence, but a deliberate choice to cultivate certain qualities. By adopting a growth mindset, building positive habits, balancing our lives, and focusing on our long-term vision, we can unlock our true potential and become stronger mentally.

Every day is a chance to grow, learn, and improve these habits. We can apply these principles to our daily routines, knowing that small, steady steps can lead to big, lasting results.

In the end, success is not solely about the outcome but about the person we become along the way.

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This quiz will show you how you score on the “5 Cores” of life: mindset, career & finances, relationships, physical health, and emotional health. You will discover your strengths and weaknesses, and the habits that are helping or hurting your key areas of life.

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Once you know your core values, the habit tracker will monitor and improve your daily actions. You will see how your habits affect your core scores, and how you can achieve more balance and happiness.