There is no secret formula to achieving success, despite what the 24,000-plus books detailing success on Amazon might say. Success takes years (10,000 hours according to Malcolm Gladwell) of hard work and developing positive habits, which will largely vary from person to person. However, there are certain routines most successful people have that create a positive impact on both their work and personal lives. Here are five habits we’ve found that successful people practice:
1. Define specific goals and how to reach them
“If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” The wise words of Benjamin Franklin still ring true today. Defining both short-term and long-term goals is a key component in achieving success. A study by renowned psychologist Dr. Edwin Locke found that 90 percent of the time, specific and challenging goals led to higher performance than easy goals, “do your best” goals, or no goals at all. In addition, determining what needs to be done to reach your goals is equally important, as it allows you to map out your future and better plan for the road ahead.
2. Always learn and be open to new ideas
In today’s technology-fueled world, everything around us is constantly changing and competition is greater than ever. The people that come out on top are usually those that make an effort to constantly learn new things and listen to new ideas. This openness and building of knowledge helps spark creativity, which can put you and your company at the forefront of the next great innovation. It also helps you deal with unexpected changes, as you’ll be able to look at an issue through multiple lenses and determine the best course of action.
3. Take risks and learn from your failures
Success doesn’t happen by taking the easy way out. To achieve success a person needs to take risks and and with risk comes failure, but it’s how you handle that failure that ultimately determines your success. Still following? In other words, those that dwell on their mistakes and give up will have a hard time improving themselves or their business. Whereas those who learn from their failures and use them to get better will eventually succeed and succeed in a big way.
4. Know your purpose and follow it
Steve Jobs once said, “Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn’t matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we’ve done something wonderful…that’s what matters to me.” The most successful people aren’t concerned with material outcomes. Instead, they believe that they have a specific purpose to follow, even if it means taking huge risks. This passion fuels their desire to accomplish their goals, and it makes those around them feel the same way. It provides a sense of fulfillment when things go well, and motivation to improve when things do not.
5. Take time off
While successful people thrive on fulfilling their purpose, they realize that working too hard for too long can take a toll. This is why many successful people take regular vacations. Relaxation helps you wind down and recharge, allowing you to maintain your health and come back to work refreshed. Many people also find that vacations are a great source of creativity and inspiration, such as Virgin Group founder Richard Branson. “When you go on vacation, your routine is interrupted. The places you go and the new people you meet can inspire you in unexpected ways,” said Branson.
While certainly no magic formula, these five habits of successful people can help you see improvements in your own life and the lives of those around you. Which habit would you like to incorporate in the workplace?
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