The 10 Things That Most Successful People Do Differently: What I Have Learned

We all want to be successful, don't we? Yes. So, how do we become successful? 

This was a question I asked myself and even now I still strive to find the success I want. Though I have had some financial freedom, I still want more.

Success means different things for each of us and can vary from person to person. It can be achieving financial freedom, pursuing happiness, having a family and spending quality time with them, or finding joy in our daily lives. Despite all these different forms, they all have a pattern that emerges when we examine the habits of those who have achieved their form of success.

I will be going over some notable habits that brought success to me, as well as those successful people we know and what separates them from the rest.

1. Embracing failure

Growing up, I always hated failure and feared it, as I thought it would mean the end of the road for me in the endeavor. But as I grew older, I got to understand without failure, there can be no success story. Just the saying.

Discouragements and failures are two of the surest stepping stones to success — Dale Carnegie

Success is the ability to go from failure to failure without losing your enthusiasm. — Winston Churchill

Successful people possess a different perspective on failure. Unlike the fear and avoidance, others have towards it,. These individuals welcome it instead, not only because they understand that each failure or mistake is a learning opportunity, towards success. This is a great mindset that from my experience has been crucial to my growth. It transforms our journey filled with mistakes, into valuable lessons that we take to the top.

2. Understanding Leverage

There is not much one can learn, read, experience, and make mistakes on their own, we still need others. It’s that simple. For instance, to start writing, I never learned this on my own. I had to watch tutorials, read books, write drafts, and submit for reviews. This would not be possible if I did it on my own. So whether it is investing money, employing individuals, or making use of technology in our workflow, leveraging what we have to maximize the results is all about working smarter. It allows growth that we won’t be able to achieve if we do it on our own. This mindset is applicable in all aspects of life.

3. Commitment

This is a common trait they all have: turning “should” into a “must”. This shift in mindset is most notable in successful individuals, as they are highly non-negotiable towards their targets or goals. They create a sense of commitment, leaving no room for excuses and procrastination.

4. Reading Differently

Their way of reading differs from others. They read more materials that encourage growth, knowledge, and self-improvement. Even though they enjoy entertainment, they prioritize learning from different experiences and gaining knowledge from others. We all know that the more we read, the more likely we are to become who we want to be. Reading makes us agile and more focused.

·85% of successful people read two or more education, career-related, and self-improvement books per month, compared to 15% of the poor.

For 2 years now, I have tried to read at least 1 book every month and still do to gain more knowledge, and I can tell you; it is way more productive.

5. Time Management

The idea that there is always time is false, instead, time is limited To be successful, you have to make wise use of time. This is a mindset that successful individuals have, they understand its value and know it is limited so they use it effectively, focusing on activities that align with their goals.

Time is money — Benjamin Franklin

Time is the most valuable thing a man can spend — Theophrastus

Successful individuals don’t pay attention to distractions and prioritize activities or tasks that bring them closer to their ambitions or achieving their goals

6. Waking up Early

There is truth to this adage, “the early bird catches the worm”. We all know how difficult it is to wake up from bed when the first alarm is rung. I too, was a victim of this. But let me tell you, that is a sign of a lazy and undedicated person. To be successful, we all have to wake up early to plan our day and limit the time we spend watching Netflix at night. Instead, use the time to wake up an hour earlier the next day to start something like going to the gym, side hustles, and other productive tasks. This is a habit that most successful people possess, it is more than just time management; it is placing commitment to one’s goal by taking action daily.

7. Exercise

This is important and I can’t stress it enough. Staying fit keeps our body in optimal condition, ready for each day. I am not referring to excessive workouts or trying to overbuild yourself. Instead, it is recommended to engage in physical exercise for at least 30 minutes to an hour every day.

In Tom Corley’s book “Change Your Habits, Change Your Life," he reported that 76% of successful individuals exercise for a minimum of 30 minutes per day.

8. Mastery Through Repetition

Success is never the result of a one-time effort but a culmination of consistent and repeated action to be better. It’s not enough to know something or understand things to get rewarded for it but you get rewarded when you put in the work.

We all know Michael Jordan, right? But why did he continuously train for 2 hours each day taking 1000 shots, when he was already the best and a world star? Well, that was how he became Michael Jordan.

Or

Cristiano Ronaldo, one of the world’s best players in soccer. Growing up, he had to constantly practice and practice to get to where he is today, and still at 38, he is strong and fit.

Successful people understand the concept that mastery and improvement come through constant repetition. It can take many forms, whether it’s a skill such as writing, starting a YouTube channel, or a side hustle. Building a business, or personal development. Practice and persistence are non-negotiable elements of success.

9. Surround Yourself With The Right People

Having a good network of friends is great, I mean positive-minded individuals who have the same mindset as you do and remove negative people from their social circle. This is the way successful people stay competitive and sharp to keep them motivated and goal-oriented,

Just like the saying goes:

“You are the average of the five people you spend most of the time with.”

Also, having a mentor helps, as when starting a business, you can reach out to successful individuals who have already made it and might be interested in mentoring you.

10. Reduce Screen Time

So many individuals spend lots of time watching Netflix or surfing the web, not knowing the cause of their struggles. Too many of these things affect the brain, making such individuals dull and lazy.

Our brains can only focus on one thing at a time. The constant stream of information from the screen disrupts our ability to concentrate and be present — Cal Newport, author of Deep Work.

Do more things that make you forget to check your phone

Finally

To be successful, one will need to work hard and smart, be willing to fail and make mistakes along the way. Certain habits will need to be cultivated to get to the top, as these habits will keep you on the right track even when you make mistakes.

Aristotle once said, “Excellence is a series of habits, not an attribute you’re born with.”

So, I employ everyone to take that step today and, most importantly, continue to practice the habits even during bad or rough days until they are ingrained in our everyday routines.