Exploring self-help books often reveals shared traits among successful individuals, whether they are luminaries in business or renowned personalities. Many of these characteristics recur in discussions about mental habits and lifestyle choices that, while not guaranteed to bring instant wealth, can reshape your mindset and help you achieve your personal aspirations this year.
Reading
When it comes to the power of reading, influential figures like Bill Gates and Warren Buffet stand out. Gates is known for taking dedicated reading vacations, while Buffet likens knowledge to compound interest, with the benefits multiplying over time. It’s reported that Buffet spends up to eight hours a day reading, making it a priority above all else.
While many people recommend focusing solely on non-fiction, incorporating a mix of genres can be beneficial. Reading offers numerous health advantages, including a reduced risk of dementia and lower stress levels, and these perks are not limited to one category.
Challenge yourself, seek inspiration, and broaden your horizons through a consistent reading habit. Take a moment to evaluate your screen time and see if you can substitute some of that for reading.
Saying No
By saying “yes” to everything, you allow others to shape your life without your input. High achievers protect their time and understand that every “yes” comes at a cost—whether it’s lost productivity, drained energy, or diverted attention.
They don’t just decline bad opportunities but also say no to good ones that don’t align with their goals. A useful guideline: if the answer isn’t a definitive “hell yes”, it’s likely a “no”.
Networking
The adage “It’s not what you know but who you know” holds true for successful individuals. They appreciate the value of networking and approach these opportunities with preparation and insight, always ensuring to follow up afterward.
In a world dominated by ‘social’ networks, face-to-face interactions remain invaluable and are arguably more crucial than ever. Expanding your contacts not only opens doors to new opportunities but also facilitates the sharing and receiving of wisdom and guidance. Engage with individuals who share your interests, participate actively, and maintain connections.
Mentorship
While networking is about names, mentorship provides candid advice, especially when you’re going astray. Successful individuals actively seek mentors to help them navigate challenges and avoid costly missteps.
Rather than posing vague inquiries like “Any tips?”, they ask targeted questions: “What would you stop doing if you were in my position?” or “What am I missing?”. Recognizing that mentorship is reciprocal, they show respect, come prepared, and act on the guidance offered.
Early Mornings
Though often joked about, the early morning routines of figures like Mark Wahlberg—who begins his day at 2:30 AM—highlight the benefits of rising early. Tim Cook starts at 4:30 AM, Ursula Burns at 5 AM, and Alan G. Lafley at 5:30 AM, showcasing a common theme among successful people.
While sleep research highlights natural variations in people’s chronotypes, attempting to wake up just 15 minutes earlier for a week can lead to improved mental clarity and reduced procrastination.
Movement
For successful individuals, exercise is a daily necessity rather than a dramatic overhaul. Simple activities like walking, weight training, running, or swimming, matter less than the consistency with which you engage in them. Regular movement enhances mood, improves sleep, sharpens cognitive function, and alleviates stress.
Aiming for 20-30 minutes of activity most days creates a solid baseline for maintaining overall health.
Sleep
It’s hard to miss the constant discussion around the value of sleep. Adequate rest is vital for optimal functioning, with many successful athletes attributing their achievements to good sleep practices.
While you don’t need to adopt the extreme routines of the British Cycling Team, it’s beneficial to aim for better sleep. Figures like Serena Williams and Tom Brady credit restorative sleep as key to their success, showcasing the importance of a structured sleep environment and routine.
Deep Work Blocks
Highly effective individuals create environments conducive to focus rather than attempting to wring productivity from chaos. This involves establishing blocks of time dedicated to intense focus, free from distractions like emails or notifications.
Even a single 60–90 minute deep work period can yield greater productivity than an entire day of multitasking. Treat this time with the importance of a non-negotiable meeting scheduled during your natural peak energy hours.
Meditation
Numerous apps offer an accessible entry into meditation, with Headspace and Calm among the most popular. While you don’t have to meditate for hours like Yuval Noah Harari, dedicating 20 minutes each morning can significantly enhance clarity and mental focus.
Many celebrities, including Katy Perry and Tom Hanks, practice transcendental meditation, which utilizes mantra techniques to calm the mind. If you’re interested in starting, consider following a tutorial online or joining a local class.
Organisation
Successful individuals possess a clear plan for their tasks and projects. As productivity expert David Allen emphasizes in his influential work, *Getting Things Done*, “your mind is for having ideas, not holding them.” The foundation of effective organization involves writing down tasks, setting explicit goals, and skillfully managing time around these objectives.
Various strategies exist to enhance organization, from the straightforward Pomodoro Technique to Allen’s GTD framework. Experiment with different methods to discover which best suits your needs, and ensure you consistently apply it.
Evaluate
Self-evaluation is crucial for success, encompassing the practices of setting goals, tracking progress, and assessing results. Elite athletes like marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge meticulously log their training, allowing them to confidently prepare for competition.
As James Clear notes in *Atomic Habits*, setting goals is easy, but achieving them requires systematic approaches. Whether it’s aiming for 1% improvements across various areas or minimizing decisions like Steve Jobs, effective self-evaluation and system development are essential.
Deliberate Rest
The hustle culture may sound appealing, but it often leads to burnout and subpar work. High achievers consider rest an integral part of their routine, not merely a reward for completing tasks.
They plan their recovery—incorporating quality sleep, outdoor time, hobbies, and weekends that truly rejuvenate. Sustainable success arises from consistent rest rather than accidental downtime.
Journalling
Journaling isn’t about fancy stationery; it’s a practical exercise in reducing mental clutter. Even a brief daily journaling practice—just five minutes—can help you recognize patterns, make quicker decisions, and escape the cycle of repetitive stress.
Most successful individuals adopt some form of journaling, whether it be a notes app, notebook, or voice memo. The goal is to externalize thoughts to enable clearer thinking and better idea management.
Feedback Loops
Many people work hard hoping for positive outcomes, but successful individuals regularly check their progress. They establish feedback loops through reviews, metrics, and honest evaluations to gauge what truly drives results.
This can include weekly goal assessments, monthly sessions to evaluate outcomes, or direct requests for candid feedback from trusted sources. The aim isn’t self-criticism, but a method for constant improvement.
Environment Design
Relying solely on willpower is often ineffective; your environment plays a crucial role in shaping behavior. Successful individuals simplify good habits and complicate bad ones by modifying their surroundings.
Consider placing your phone in another room while you work, keeping a book handy where you usually scroll through social media, or laying out workout clothes the night before. Minimizing friction for good habits and increasing it for negative ones allows you to pursue the right actions effortlessly, even on tough days.
