Daniel Kag

Oct. 6, 2024

10 Daily Habits of Highly Successful People

Want to boost your success? Here are 10 key habits successful people practice daily:

• Get up early
• Set clear goals
• Focus on important tasks
• Exercise regularly
• Read every day
• Practice mindfulness
• Build relationships
• Journal
• Keep learning
• Be grateful

These habits help successful people stay productive, healthy, and focused. Let's break them down:

Start small by picking 1-2 habits. Be consistent and patient - it takes about 66 days to form a new habit. Track your progress to stay motivated.

How Daily Habits Affect Success

Daily habits are the building blocks of success. They shape our lives and impact our achievements in ways we often overlook. Let's explore how these small, everyday actions can lead to big results.

The Power of Routine

Habits free up our mental energy. By automating certain tasks, we can focus on more important decisions. For example, Barack Obama famously limited his wardrobe choices to reduce decision fatigue. He explained:

"I'm trying to pare down my decisions. I don't want to make decisions about what I'm eating or wearing. Because I have too many other decisions to make."

This approach allows successful people to channel their energy into tasks that truly matter.

Building Success Over Time

Habits don't transform our lives overnight. Instead, they create gradual, lasting change. Research shows it takes an average of 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic. For more complex habits, like exercise routines, it can take up to 1.5 times longer.

This explains why success often seems to happen suddenly - it's the result of consistent, daily actions that compound over time.

The Impact on Health and Productivity

Good habits don't just boost productivity: they also improve our health. Studies show that people with consistent routines, such as regular exercise and meal patterns, tend to be in better health. This, in turn, supports their success in other areas of life.

Breaking it Down: How Habits Work

To understand how habits affect success, let's look at their structure:

1. Cue: The trigger that starts the habit
2. Routine: The behavior itself
3. Reward: The benefit you get from the habit

By understanding this structure, we can create habits that stick and lead to success.

Practical Steps to Harness the Power of Habits

1. Track Your Current Habits: Use a journal or app to monitor your daily routines.
2. Start Small: Begin with one or two new habits rather than overhauling your entire life at once.
3. Be Consistent: Remember, it takes time for habits to form. Stick with it, even when progress seems slow.
4. Design Your Environment: Set up your surroundings to support your new habits.

1. Get Up Early

Waking up early is a common habit among highly successful people. It allows them to start their day proactively and accomplish tasks before others even begin their workday.

Many successful individuals swear by this practice:

• Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon, prioritizes getting eight hours of sleep and waking up naturally, without an alarm.
• Oprah Winfrey typically rises by 6 am and arrives at her office by 6:30 am.
• Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson starts his day with cardio as the sun rises, energizing him for the rest of the day.

Early mornings offer several benefits:

1. Quiet time: The early hours provide peace and solitude, ideal for focused work or personal activities.
2. Increased productivity: Tasks can be completed without interruptions, especially beneficial for those working from home or with children.
3. Exercise opportunity: Many early risers use this time for physical activity, setting a positive tone for the day.
4. Better sleep quality: Early risers often go to bed earlier, leading to improved sleep patterns.

To make the most of early mornings:

• Start gradually, shifting your wake-up time by 15-30 minutes earlier.
• Set a motivating reason to wake up, such as writing or exercising.
• Avoid the snooze button by placing your alarm clock far from your bed.

"I get at least eight hours of sleep and wake up on my own." - Arianna Huffington, Author and Businesswoman

2. Set Clear Goals

Setting clear goals is a key habit of highly successful people. It gives direction to daily tasks and helps prioritize what truly matters. By setting specific, achievable targets, you can stay focused and track your progress effectively.

Here's why goal-setting is so powerful:

• It provides a clear roadmap for success
• It helps you stay motivated and accountable
• It allows you to measure your progress

To make the most of goal-setting, use the SMART framework:

For example, instead of a vague goal like "I want to lose weight", a SMART goal would be: "I'll lose 20 pounds in the next 20 weeks by following a balanced diet and exercising three times a week, tracking my progress weekly with a scale and food diary app."

Research backs up the power of goal-setting:

• A study by Dominican University found that people who write down their goals are 42% more likely to achieve them.
• Teams with clear goals are twice as motivated as those without, according to Asana.

"Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible." - Tony Robbins

To make goal-setting a daily habit:

1. Write down your goals each morning
2. Break big goals into smaller, daily tasks
3. Review your progress each evening
4. Adjust your goals as needed

3. Focus on Important Tasks

Successful people know how to zero in on what truly matters. They use smart methods to sort out their daily to-do lists and tackle the big stuff first.

One key tool they use is the Eisenhower Matrix. This method helps split tasks into four groups:

Here's how to put this into action:

1. Make a list of all your tasks

Write down everything you need to do. Don't leave anything out.

2. Sort your tasks

Go through your list and put each task in one of the four boxes. Be honest about what's truly important.

3. Take action

• Do Now: Jump on these tasks right away. They're your top priorities.
• Schedule: Set a time to work on these. They're important but not pressing.
• Delegate: Find someone else to handle these if you can.
• Drop: Cross these off your list. They're not worth your time.

Kevin Kruse, a New York Times best-selling author, puts it simply: "Identify your most important task and do it first."

Another handy trick is the 80/20 rule. This idea says that 20% of your work leads to 80% of your results. So, focus on that key 20% that really moves the needle.

To make this a daily habit:

• Start each morning by picking your Most Important Task (MIT)
• Work on your MIT before anything else
• Group similar tasks together to save time
• Say no to things that don't help your main goals

4. Exercise Often

Successful people know that regular exercise is key to their physical and mental well-being. It's not just about looking good: it's about feeling energized, focused, and ready to tackle challenges.

Here's why exercise matters:

• Boosts productivity: Richard Branson claims his physical activities give him 4 extra hours of productivity each day.
• Improves mental clarity: Exercise enhances memory, concentration, and cognitive function.
• Reduces stress: Physical activity lowers stress hormones, helping you stay calm under pressure.

The Department of Health and Human Services recommends 150-300 minutes of moderate-intensity activity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity per week. But how do successful people fit this into their busy schedules?

1. Make it a priority

Mabel Lee, CEO of Velour Lashes, works out 5-6 days a week. She says, "Once it's locked in my calendar, I try my best not to cancel."

2. Find your best time

Some prefer morning workouts, others lunch breaks or evenings. Erin Bury, CEO of Willful, opts for mornings: "I know there's a 90 percent chance something will come up by 6 p.m."

3. Mix it up

Combine different types of exercise:

4. Start small

Begin with 10-30 minutes of exercise. A 2019 review found this is enough to improve mood.

5. Make it fun

Choose activities you enjoy. Richard Branson loves extreme sports, while Oprah Winfrey does 45 minutes of cardio six mornings a week.

Remember, consistency is key. As Justin Thouin, CEO of LowestRates.ca, puts it: "Unless I do this, it inevitably gets pushed aside for other work or family commitments."

5. Read Every Day

Reading every day is a habit shared by many successful people. It's not just about entertainment: it's a tool for growth, learning, and mental stimulation.

Here's why daily reading matters:

• Brain boost: Reading activates multiple brain areas, creating new neural networks. A study from Emory University found that deeper reading engagement activates more brain regions, with effects lasting for days after finishing a book.
• Stress reduction: Just six minutes of reading can lower stress levels by up to 68%, according to research from Sussex University.
• Knowledge expansion: Reading provides deeper understanding compared to other media sources. Bill Gates, for example, reads about 50 books annually, focusing on nonfiction to broaden his knowledge base.
• Improved focus: In a world of distractions, reading helps sharpen concentration. Warren Buffett dedicates 80% of his day to reading, consuming 500-1000 pages daily.

How successful people incorporate reading:

1. Set a daily goal

Mark Cuban reads about 3 hours a day. He states:

"1 good idea would pay for the book and could make the difference between me making it or not."

2. Choose quality material

Bill Gates carefully selects his reading material, focusing on substance and relevance to his goals.

3. Make it a priority

Elon Musk taught himself rocket science through reading. He found comfort in science fiction during his childhood, which later inspired his innovations.

4. Use reading for problem-solving

Charlie Munger, Warren Buffett's business partner, emphasizes the power of reading:

"I constantly see people rise in life who are not the smartest, sometimes not even the most diligent, but they are learning machines. They go to bed every night a little wiser than they were when they got up and boy does that help, particularly when you have a long run ahead of you."

To start your daily reading habit:

• Set aside 20-30 minutes each day for uninterrupted reading.
• Carry a book or use an e-reader for easy access.
• Read before bed to absorb information and improve sleep.
• Try different genres to find what engages you most.

Remember, consistency is key. As Warren Buffett advises:

"Read 500 pages…every day. That's how knowledge works. It builds up, like compound interest. All of you can do it, but I guarantee not many of you will do it."

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6. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a key habit of many successful people. It's about being fully present and aware of your thoughts and surroundings without judgment. This practice can boost focus, reduce stress, and improve decision-making.

Here's how mindfulness helps:

• Stress reduction: Mindfulness lowers cortisol levels, helping you stay calm under pressure.
• Better focus: It trains your brain to ignore distractions and stay on task.
• Emotional control: You learn to recognize and manage your emotions more effectively.
• Clearer thinking: A calm mind leads to better problem-solving and creativity.

Many top CEOs and celebrities credit mindfulness for their success:

"Once I'm awake, I take a minute to breathe deeply, be grateful, and set my intention for the day. Then I do 20 to 30 minutes of meditation..." - Arianna Huffington, Cofounder of Huffington Post and Thrive Global

Companies are also seeing the benefits. For example:

• SAP reported a 200% ROI on their mindfulness training program.
• Aetna saw healthcare costs drop by $2,000 per employee and productivity rise by $3,000 per employee after implementing mindfulness training.

To start practicing mindfulness:

1. Try deep breathing: Take slow, deep breaths for 5 minutes each day.
2. Use a body scan: Focus on each part of your body, noticing any tension.
3. Practice mindful eating: Pay attention to the taste, texture, and smell of your food.
4. Take mindful walks: Notice your surroundings and how your body feels as you move.
5. Keep a gratitude journal: Write down 10 things you're thankful for each day.

Remember, consistency is key. Even 5 minutes a day can make a big difference over time.

"Meditation is about getting still enough to know the difference between the voice and you. It's a heightened state of being that lets whatever you're doing be your best life, from moment to astonishing moment." - Oprah Winfrey, Media Proprietor, Actress, and Philanthropist

7. Build Relationships

Building strong relationships is a key habit of successful people. It's not just about networking; it's about creating real connections that can help you grow personally and professionally.

Here's why relationships matter:

• They open doors to new opportunities
• They provide support during tough times
• They offer different perspectives and ideas

So how do successful people build these relationships? Let's look at some practical steps:

1. Make time for one-on-one interactions: Set aside time each day to connect with someone, whether it's a colleague, friend, or family member.
2. Listen actively: Pay attention to what others are saying. Ask questions to show you're engaged.
3. Show appreciation: Thank people for their help or contributions. A simple "thank you" goes a long way.
4. Offer help: Look for ways to support others without expecting anything in return.
5. Follow up: After meeting someone new, send a quick email or message to keep the connection alive.

Let's look at a real-world example:

"I make it a point to check in with my team members individually every day. It's not about work: it's about understanding them as people. This has led to a more cohesive team and better results." - Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft

Nadella's approach shows how daily relationship-building can impact an entire organization.

Here's a simple way to start building relationships daily:

8. Write in a Journal

Keeping a journal is a key habit of many successful people. It's not just about jotting down thoughts: it's a tool for growth and self-improvement.

Here's why journaling matters:

• It helps process thoughts and feelings
• It boosts self-awareness
• It aids in problem-solving
• It tracks progress towards goals

Let's break down how to make journaling work for you:

1. Choose the right time: Many successful people journal first thing in the morning or right before bed. Pick a time that works for you and stick to it.

2. Be consistent: Aim to write daily, even if it's just for a few minutes.

3. Write freely: Don't worry about grammar or spelling. Just let your thoughts flow.

4. Use prompts: If you're stuck, try answering questions like "What am I grateful for today?" or "What's my biggest challenge right now?"

5. Review regularly: Look back at your entries to spot patterns and track your progress.

Here's a simple journaling routine you can try:

Real-world impact:

"Journaling is a reflective exercise. You can get a different perspective on your reactions and feelings when you write and reread your journal entries." - Kristen Webb Wright, Author

A study found that 85% of participants reported that a specific journaling exercise was helpful, with 59% continuing to use writing to cope with stress after 12 to 18 months.

9. Keep Learning

Successful people never stop learning. They know that knowledge is power, and they make it a point to learn something new every day.

Here's how top achievers keep learning:

1. Read daily: Warren Buffett, for example, spends 5-6 hours a day reading newspapers and books. He believes this habit gives him a competitive edge.

2. Take courses: Many successful people enroll in online courses or attend workshops to stay updated in their fields.

3. Learn from others: They seek out mentors and network with experts to gain new insights.

4. Embrace challenges: They view obstacles as opportunities to learn and grow.

To make continuous learning a habit:

Remember, learning doesn't always mean formal education. Bill Gates, for instance, is known for his "Think Weeks" where he isolates himself to read and reflect on new ideas.

"In my whole life, I have known no wise people (over a broad subject matter area) who didn't read all the time — none, zero." - Charlie Munger

A study published in the National Institutes of Health found it takes about 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic. So, stick with your learning routine, and it will soon become second nature.

10. Be Thankful

Gratitude is a powerful habit that many successful people practice daily. It's not just about saying "thank you" - it's about cultivating a mindset of appreciation for what you have in life.

Here's why being thankful matters:

1. Boosts happiness: Dr. Robert Emmons found that practicing gratitude can increase happiness levels by 25%.
2. Improves health: Grateful people report fewer aches and pains and generally feel healthier.
3. Enhances relationships: Expressing appreciation strengthens bonds with others.
4. Reduces stress: Gratitude helps shift focus from negative emotions to positive ones.
5. Increases resilience: A 2006 study showed Vietnam War veterans with higher gratitude levels had lower rates of PTSD.

How successful people practice gratitude:

To make gratitude a daily habit:

• Keep a gratitude journal
• Express appreciation to others
• Take a moment each day to reflect on what you're thankful for
• Share your gratitude with family and friends

"When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears." - Tony Robbins

How to Start These Habits

Starting new habits can be tough, but with the right approach, you can make them stick. Here's how to begin incorporating these successful habits into your daily life:

1. Start small and build up

Don't try to overhaul your entire routine at once. Pick one habit to focus on and make it incredibly easy to start. For example:

• If you want to exercise more, begin with just 5 minutes a day
• To read more, start with one page before bed
• For journaling, write only three sentences each morning

As James Clear, author of "Atomic Habits", puts it:

"When you start a new habit, it should be so easy that you can't say no."

2. Use "habit stacking"

Attach your new habit to an existing one. This method, popularized by BJ Fogg of Stanford University, makes it easier to remember and follow through. For instance:

3. Create a consistent environment

Set up your space to support your new habits. Some examples:

• Place your running shoes by the door if you want to jog in the morning
• Keep a gratitude journal on your nightstand
• Set out your meditation cushion in a quiet corner

4. Track your progress

Use a simple method to monitor your habit-forming journey. Jerry Seinfeld famously used a wall calendar, marking an "X" for each day he wrote jokes. He called this technique "Don't break the chain."

You can use:

• A physical calendar
• A habit-tracking app like Habit Tracker
• A simple notebook

5. Be patient and persistent

Contrary to popular belief, it takes more than 21 days to form a new habit. Research from University College London found it takes an average of 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic.

"Instead of being discouraged, I hope you'll be relieved. You're not doing anything wrong!" - Michael Hyatt, Author and Speaker

Remember, consistency matters more than perfection. If you miss a day, just pick up where you left off.

Wrap-up

Let's recap the 10 daily habits that can set you on the path to success:

1. Get Up Early: 63% of successful people set an alarm at night and wake up early, giving them a head start on the day.
2. Set Clear Goals: Use to-do lists to boost your daily output by 25%.
3. Focus on Important Tasks: Prioritize your most critical work during your peak productivity hours.
4. Exercise Often: Many successful people work out in the morning to energize themselves for the day ahead.
5. Read Every Day: 88% of wealthy individuals spend at least 30 minutes daily on self-improvement reading.
6. Practice Mindfulness: Meditation can help reduce stress and improve focus.
7. Build Relationships: 79% of wealthy people spend at least five hours a month networking.
8. Write in a Journal: Jot down your thoughts, goals, and things you're thankful for.
9. Keep Learning: Continuously expand your knowledge and skills.
10. Be Thankful: Practicing gratitude can lower anxiety and depression rates while boosting joy and satisfaction.

These habits aren't just random actions: they're deliberate choices that create a framework for success. As Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson puts it:

"Success isn't always about 'greatness.' It's about consistency. Consistent hard work gains success. Greatness will come . . ."

Remember, adopting these habits takes time and effort. Start small:

Track your progress using a habit-tracking app or a simple wall calendar. Be patient with yourself - research shows it takes about 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic.

FAQs

What is the best daily routine for success?

The best daily routine for success includes:

1. Waking up early (between 4-6 a.m.)
2. Exercise
3. Healthy breakfast
4. Meditation or mindfulness practice
5. Setting clear goals for the day
6. Reading for self-improvement
7. Journaling

Many successful CEOs follow this pattern. For example, Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, starts his day at 3:45 a.m. to tackle emails and exercise before work.

What is the daily habit of a successful person?

Successful people often share these key habits:

• Early rising
• Regular exercise
• Continuous learning
• Goal-setting
• Time management

A standout habit is reading. Warren Buffett, for instance, reads several newspapers and books daily to stay informed and expand his knowledge.

What time do CEOs start their day?

Most CEOs start their day early. Here's a breakdown based on a survey of 1,086 CEOs from the 2022 Inc. 5000 list:

Scott Omelianuk, Inc. editor-in-chief, notes: "Mornings in particular prove to be, for a lot of the entrepreneurs I talk to, the time that allows them to focus."

However, it's important to note that sleep quality matters too. Jeff Bezos emphasizes getting eight hours of sleep to maintain energy and improve thinking.