The foundation for success lies in the everyday habits we practise, whether we are conscious of it or not. It is therefore important that if we desire progress towards achieving our personal goals, we have to become aware of the little habits that are pushing us towards or pulling us away from our goals and dreams.
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Everything we do on a daily basis has its long term effect even though this may not always be obvious and its destructive or constructive effect is not immediately felt.
[shareable cite=”the one thing”]The trick to success is to choose the right habit and bring just enough discipline to establish it[/shareable]
The most powerful way to promote the personal growth and development that will bring you success is to develop the good habits that lead to success. Don’t worry too much if you do not already have these habits, because you have within you the ability to create new habits.
While there is no scientific evidence for these, there are certain good habits that if developed will contribute positively to your personal development.
Good habits are what will help you lose weight, gain promotion and reach your goals and dreams. So let me share with you my top 7 habits for you to consider that will increase your personal productivity.
Success is a actually a short race—a sprint fuelled by discipline just long enough for habit to kick in and take over
7 good habits
#1. Have a plan for achieving your goals
I wrote recently about why you should have written goals. However, goals are of no value if you do not have a plan of action for achieving them. Whether your goal is to create a successful company, loose weight or manage your finances better, a well thought-out plan is necessary to provide you with the concrete steps that you can take each day to meet your goals.
Always write down your plan and consider having a backup plan in case things don’t work out as planned. Think of your plan as a map to get you to your destination. Your plan should contain as much detail as will help you to achieve your goal.
No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance ~ Confucius
Reading increases your store of knowledge and vocabulary. Reading offers you a way to cultivate your mind and your ability to choose what you read helps you stay in control of what goes into your mind.
Reading provides mental stimulation which in the long run can help you prevent the early onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia
Reading also provides you with an easy access to the vast stores of knowledge, information and wisdom of the many men and women that have achieved great things in their lifetime and make this knowledge available in the form of books.
#3. Take time to relax
It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily grind of work and all the things we do to keep our lives running that we often forget to reward ourselves occasionally. How about getting a massage, visiting the museum or treating yourself to a vacation?
Taking time off for relaxation and recharge is a good thing because it contributes to your physical and emotional well-being.
Learn new hobbies or learn new things about your existing hobbies. Regularly schedule time out to spend with friends and loved ones.
#4. Create thinking time
Just like you take time out to relax, regularly give yourself the space you need in your tight schedule for thinking. Thinking time is the time out you take for working to make your dream a reality. It also gives you the opportunity to access the direction of your life and to take corrective action should you decide that your rate and trajectory of your life will not get you to your dream life.
Your thinking time is for envisaging your future and for mapping out plans for achieving your dreams.
#5. Step out of your comfort zone
There is some truth to the saying that “your best life lies outside of your comfort zone“. Trying new things will expand your mind and give you a strength that can only be got by stepping out into new territory. You will also discover that you are braver and much stronger than you thought you are. This will in turn increase your self-esteem.
When you step out and try something new, you change and become a new person. You grow and acquire new skills which you could then apply to become proficient in your personal life and career.
#6. Learn to be positive
Many people actually benefit from having a gratitude journal. With a positive attitude, you see things differently. Problems are no longer hindrances but challenges to overcome. You suddenly become aware of new possibilities and you have great hope and optimism about the future. A positive attitude will help you approach each challenge with a ‘can do’ spirit.
It takes a conscious effort if you are not naturally optimistic. Being able to recognise your negative thoughts and come up with a counter-argument for the negativity will do you good.
With a positive attitude, you become pleasant to be around.
#7. Sleep early and wake up early
This is one habit which I continually work at. And yet it has a way of eluding me. Getting enough sleep is an under-rated habit. Yet it is important for success. Enough sleep will help you manage stress better and give you the mental clarity you need to focus on the day’s task.
More sleep does not always equal to a more restful experience. What constitutes enough sleep? From my personal experience, I believe that the quality of your sleep is as important as the number of hours you sleep.
So now you have what I consider to be seven habits that will contribute to your success. Some of it may work for you and some of it may not work for you. But you certainly owe yourself the responsibility of developing good habits that will bring you success.
What good habits do you have that have had a positive impact on your life? Why not share it with us by leaving a comment below.