Nine things Successful People do Differently
It is mid-point in 2018 and it is an appropriate time to reevaluate how this year is going. We can also see what is working and what isn’t. Most people make resolutions at the beginning of the year and most of them fall away after a few months. I believe it is far more important to set goals for the long term and make lifestyle changes. One book which I liked is “Nine things successful people do differently” by Heidi Grant Halvorson. This is a book that can be read in 2 hours but it really boils down what success. Here is my take on it.
1. Get Specific – This is so obvious but worth repeating. If you know where you are going you will be more focused and inspired. So, the first step towards success is determining exactly what success means to you. Set goals which are specific in every area of life like physical, career, financial and contribution. This will keep you inspired most of the time.
2. Seize the moment to act on your goals - Obviously without action goal setting is a façade. So, decide what you want and then take daily action towards it. Take one step to move forward.
3. Know exactly how far you have left to go - Life becomes easier when we know exactly where we are at this moment. It is so great to set those big goals but you must also determine how much progress you have it.
4. Be a realistic optimist - If you don’t encounter obstacles then probably it is not a goal. Any big goal will be met with obstacles and the way you explain the negatives in your life is the key. So be optimistic when setbacks do occur.
5. Focus on getting better, rather than being good - This is basically the growth mindset Carol Dweck talks about. We should all believe we can keep learning and getting better. Our talent is not something that is fixed at birth and we can keep polishing it.
6. Have grit - As Angela Duckworth says Grit is perseverance towards long term goals. How often do you get up when you are down? How soon are you back up when you get down? Grit is the number one quality of success. Here is my review of her book. Grit - Passion and Perseverance.
7. Build your willpower muscle - Willpower is a muscle which means it is something that does get depleted with use. So, if you use lot of willpower earlier in the day then you won’t be in great shape to make good decisions later in the day. So really if you automate decision making your will power will last longer. Like the clothes you wear make sure you plan for the night before. You can also plan the breakfast you are going to have. So, you get the point make sure you allow your brain to think of more important things. Read my review of the book Willpower. Willpower.
8. Don’t tempt fate - This is basically tying yourself to the mast. If you want to avoid drinking soda then it is simple don’t stock soda in your house. If you want to avoid TV unplug the TV. In other words, make it so difficult to do the thing that is tempting.
9. Focus on what you will do not what you won’t do - Therefore, resolutions don’t work but positive goals do. If you keep on thinking of what you won’t do you won’t move forward. However, replace something negative with something positive. If you want to stop doing something replace that activity with something more life enhancing. These are great ideas to make the rest of the year great. Good luck.
The views expressed here are my own and do not represent my organization.
1. Get Specific – This is so obvious but worth repeating. If you know where you are going you will be more focused and inspired. So, the first step towards success is determining exactly what success means to you. Set goals which are specific in every area of life like physical, career, financial and contribution. This will keep you inspired most of the time.
2. Seize the moment to act on your goals - Obviously without action goal setting is a façade. So, decide what you want and then take daily action towards it. Take one step to move forward.
3. Know exactly how far you have left to go - Life becomes easier when we know exactly where we are at this moment. It is so great to set those big goals but you must also determine how much progress you have it.
4. Be a realistic optimist - If you don’t encounter obstacles then probably it is not a goal. Any big goal will be met with obstacles and the way you explain the negatives in your life is the key. So be optimistic when setbacks do occur.
5. Focus on getting better, rather than being good - This is basically the growth mindset Carol Dweck talks about. We should all believe we can keep learning and getting better. Our talent is not something that is fixed at birth and we can keep polishing it.
6. Have grit - As Angela Duckworth says Grit is perseverance towards long term goals. How often do you get up when you are down? How soon are you back up when you get down? Grit is the number one quality of success. Here is my review of her book. Grit - Passion and Perseverance.
7. Build your willpower muscle - Willpower is a muscle which means it is something that does get depleted with use. So, if you use lot of willpower earlier in the day then you won’t be in great shape to make good decisions later in the day. So really if you automate decision making your will power will last longer. Like the clothes you wear make sure you plan for the night before. You can also plan the breakfast you are going to have. So, you get the point make sure you allow your brain to think of more important things. Read my review of the book Willpower. Willpower.
8. Don’t tempt fate - This is basically tying yourself to the mast. If you want to avoid drinking soda then it is simple don’t stock soda in your house. If you want to avoid TV unplug the TV. In other words, make it so difficult to do the thing that is tempting.
9. Focus on what you will do not what you won’t do - Therefore, resolutions don’t work but positive goals do. If you keep on thinking of what you won’t do you won’t move forward. However, replace something negative with something positive. If you want to stop doing something replace that activity with something more life enhancing. These are great ideas to make the rest of the year great. Good luck.
The views expressed here are my own and do not represent my organization.
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