Hello everyone!

Today we are talking about a couple of skills and habits that successful people and how you can get ahead. Whether you’re a student, a young professional, or retired, these are good habits to implement into your daily routine. It is important to stay motivated and keep your goals in focus when working towards something big. Sometimes, it is easy to lose sight of what you want and it seems that your efforts are in vain. You need to step back, recalibrate, and get back into it. Don’t be pressured by your peers, friends, or family to do something on a certain timeline. Whatever time your success comes to you is the perfect time.

Avoid comparing yourself on social media at all costs. As we’ve said before, comparison is the root of insecurity, depression, and anxiety. Why must someone else’s life on Instagram dictate how you feel? There is no appropriate answer because it shouldn’t. Furthermore, don’t become a victim to the grind 24/7 365 lifestyles that you see online. It’s very unhealthy to boil your entire life down to working and nothing else. 

Balance is what brings sustainability to your lifestyle. This doesn’t mean there won’t be a time when you need to pull an all-nighter to get your work done but don’t make it a consistent habit. How can you appreciate your success or continue to work towards your goals if you’re burnt out all the time?

So let’s get into it!

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1. They are always learning

Successful people are always learning from every situation they are in. There is no pride or ego in being a learner as it only serves to widen your way of thinking. 

A quote by Edmond Mbiaka is very applicable to this tenet. 

They said, “There is always something to learn from everyone you cross paths with…” and this is very true. Whether it be a new way to schedule your day or a way of decision-making that is structurally inefficient, there is always a lesson to learn from most situations.

Beyond this, staying current with news and politics is also essential. Your life may shape up to the point where these things are not of the utmost importance to you but you should stay knowledgeable of the current state of events not just locally but also globally. Reading fiction and non-fiction is also another way to be learning. You don’t have to make notes in the margin of every book but keeping an open and active mind when reading and during your day-to-day activities is a great way to be constantly learning new things!

When you have exhausted all possibilities, remember this: you haven’t.

Thomas A. Edison

2. They are adaptable

Adaptability is essential to becoming successful. Although routine is amazing in providing structure and accountability, it is necessary to know when to change things up. The “old dogs can’t learn new tricks” mentally is the quickest way to failure. We are gifted with the ability to be able to change the way we do things! When your success and progress become stagnant and plateaus, you must do a diagnostic of your techniques and routines. Is this an inevitable period of stagnation or is it the result of your old methods? This is critical when striving for your goals- the ability to distinguish when you need to keep pushing forward or when a change is needed.

Become more adaptable and flexible in the way of thinking. The best way to do things is the way you love, which is sustainable and is also fruitful in its efforts.

The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn.

Alvin Toffler

3. They have core values

Core values include values and beliefs that can not be changed. Although we just mentioned adaptability, core values are not to be changed once you determine them. These values are to act to help guide all your major, and sometimes minor, decisions. This is not something that can be done in 15 minutes but it is something that comes to you with experience. When you know what can and cannot be negotiated and what situations can not be infringed upon- your goals and decisions become much more clear. These core values are not necessarily goals but foundational aspects of life whether moral values or familial relationships these will act to make your intentions comprehensible.

Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement.

W. Clement Stone

4. Their goals are clear and nonnegotiable

The “never settle for less” mentality is also necessary and very prevalent in those who have achieved a high level of success. Be careful not to become possessed by your need to succeed. This is very unhealthy and can potentially destroy valuable relationships with those you love. In contrast, you need to be rigid in your goals. Just because you got halfway to your goal does not mean it’s time to slow down or to be satisfied with where you have ended up! This is the time to buckle down while your stride is going. Celebrate all your achievement but keep your final goal in mind. Many people become relaxed in their goals or become intimidated by the standard they have set. Push past this mental, physical, or emotional roadblock and you will reap great rewards.

First, have a definite, clear practical ideal; a goal, and an objective. 

Second, have the necessary means to achieve your ends; wisdom, money, materials, and methods. 

Third, adjust all your means to that end.

Aristotle

5. They are intrinsically motivated

Extrinsic motivation will never be enough for long-term goals. Do you want to lose 15 pounds in preparation for spring break because your ex is going to be there? That can be done. Do you want to clear up your skin, grow out your hair, become more confident, and change your style to “flex” on your ex? That can’t be done. Extrinsic motivation is satisfactory enough for short-term and small goals but real change and life-long goals can not be motivated by outside influence. It will never be enough.

Assess your personal, educational, relationship, career, or business goals. Are these motivated solely by outside factors? For example, people’s perception of you, parents’ expectations, or spite? Then these are not things you should be striving for. Intrinsic motivation must be the majority of your influence or it will be extremely hard to achieve large-scale goals. When you sit down to work on your passion, it must be you that wants to truly put forward your best foot, therefore, producing the greatest effects.

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.

Steve Jobs

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What goals are you working towards? Do you fall into any of the categories on this list? Let us know in the comments below!

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