10 Little Things Successful People Do Differently
Article by Casey Imafidon
Successful people think differently, act differently, and distinguish themselves from unsuccessful people by taking a distinctive path toward their goals.
Successful people all have similar traits and similar behavior patterns. The truth is that you can be successful, too, if you learn what other successful people do. And no, that doesn’t mean you have to engage in big acts of philanthropy or innovation. Success is largely a matter of small things you can do every day to reach your goals.
Here are 10 things successful people do daily:
1. They Strive for Consistency
Successful people are focused on meeting their objectives, and this is why they have consistent schedules. According to Rameet Chawla, founder of Fueled, having a consistent schedule aids prioritization and allows you to keep the important tasks at the top of your list.
2. They Set Daily Goals
Successful people are clear about their goals. For example, Kenneth Chenault, CEO of American Express, creates a detailed plan for his day by writing down three things he wants to accomplish the next day.
3. They Nurture the Right Relationships
In his book Tribes , Seth Godin explains there are tribes everywhere, each one made up of people hungry for connection, meaning, and change. Successful people look for support and find people they can connect with intellectually. Find your tribe and collaborate. Play off each other’s strengths and watch everyone grow. Jim Rohn says you are the average of your five closest friends. Who are yours?
4. They Display High Emotional Intelligence
Emotionally intelligent people constantly look for ways to add value and contribute to their environments. They use their emotional awareness to think progressively and find answers to problems. This quality helps them to inspire others to be successful, too.
Successful people take action. You can’t achieve anything if you let yourself be paralyzed by overwhelming situations, but through action you can attain results and discover a path toward your goals.
6. They Practice Positive Self-Talk
When you use phrases like, “Today is going to be a great day” or “I am successful,” you boost your intellectual ability and improve your chances of attaining your goals for the day.
7. They Stay Healthy
President Barack Obama exercises 45 minutes per day, six days a week. A healthy mind and body is the first step to success. Your body is a vehicle to everything you achieve. Plus, physical activity doesn’t only keep the body physically healthy; it also improves your mental state.
8. They Meditate
Meditation allows you to focus and be more productive. Oprah Winfrey has spoken about the great benefits of meditation and how the results often include better relationships and a more creative mindset.
9. They Focus on Small Steps Toward Their Major Goals
Henry Ford once said, “Nothing is particularly hard if you divide it into small pieces.” Successful people operate according to the domino effect by making small and continuous improvements every day.
10. They Wake Up Early
From Apple CEO Tim Cook to GE CEO Jeffrey Immelt, almost all successful people make a habit of waking up early. So much can be done during those wee hours of the day when one is free of distractions, meetings, and environmental noise.
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In the end, it takes consistent practice to be successful. Success doesn’t happen by accident; it happens because you have committed yourself to certain activities that help you reach your goals.
A version of this article originally appeared on SUCCESS.com.
Casey Imafidon is a full-time writer. He blogs about happiness, success, and relationships. He has been featured on Inc.com, Addicted2Success.com, ThoughtCatalog.com, and many more websites. Feel free to connect with him on Twitter and Facebook.