60 Quickies on Success

 


In an ever-evolving world, achieving success and fulfillment requires more than just skill and ambition—it demands a commitment to personal growth, resilience, and purpose-driven action. The journey to excellence is defined not by a single moment, but by the cumulative effect of small, consistent choices. From embracing change to fostering meaningful connections, every principle we uphold contributes to a well-rounded, impactful life.

This list of 60 guiding principles offers actionable insights for thriving personally and professionally. Each principle, inspired by timeless wisdom and practical experience, serves as a foundation for success in any field. Whether you’re seeking to enhance your leadership skills, improve your relationships, or navigate challenges with confidence, these values provide a blueprint for creating success every day which ultimately leads to overall success.

1. Always be on time

Punctuality reflects discipline, respect for others, and strong self-management. Being on time is the first sign of professionalism.

“Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.” – William Shakespeare

2. Give people their space and welcome disagreements

Everyone has unique ideas. Create an environment where disagreements are handled respectfully, and collaboration thrives.

“A great leader listens to all opinions but follows only the best ideas.” – Unknown

3. Praise and recognize people for their work

Acknowledging others’ efforts builds morale and encourages excellence. Recognition makes a world of difference.

“Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” – Voltaire

4. If there is any disagreement, try to solve it in person or on the phone

Avoid using email for conflict resolution. Face-to-face or verbal communication is more personal and effective.

“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.” – Peter Drucker

5. Be grateful for all the good things in life

Gratitude shifts your focus from what you lack to what you already have, fostering contentment and joy.

“Gratitude turns what we have into enough.” – Aesop

6. Have a clear agenda for meetings, and thorough preparation ensures victory

Successful meetings begin with clear objectives. Preparation guarantees better results and time well spent.

“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin

7. Be happy with what you have now but strive for excellence through meaningful goals

Contentment doesn’t mean complacency. Celebrate where you are, but never stop pushing toward your next goal.

“Happiness is not the belief that we don’t need to change; it is the belief that we can.” – Shawn Achor

8. Be a beacon of hope

Inspire others by maintaining a positive outlook even in adversity. People look to leaders for optimism and courage.

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all the darkness.” – Desmond Tutu

9. Listen to inspirational music

Music has the power to uplift and inspire. Use it to fuel your creativity and maintain your energy throughout the day.

“Where words fail, music speaks.” – Hans Christian Andersen

10. Love life and celebrate it

Every day is a gift. Embrace life’s highs and lows with enthusiasm and appreciation for the journey.

“To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people just exist.” – Oscar Wilde

11. Celebrate yourself because you are unique and irreplaceable

Self-appreciation is not arrogance—it’s self-awareness. Recognize your worth and celebrate your individuality.

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

12. Whenever there is a problem, remember ‘Every adversity carries with it an equivalent benefit’

Challenges are opportunities in disguise. Embrace them, learn from them, and emerge stronger.

“The struggle you’re in today is developing the strength you need for tomorrow.” – Robert Tew

13. Be the change you want to see

Don’t wait for others to act. Lead by example, and inspire change through your own actions.

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.” – Mahatma Gandhi

14. Revolutionize your thinking

Innovation starts with changing how you think. Challenge the status quo and seek creative solutions.

“The world as we have created it is a process of our thinking. It cannot be changed without changing our thinking.” – Albert Einstein

15. There is no such thing as luck for those who deserve success

Hard work, persistence, and preparation create the conditions we call “luck.”

“I’m a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” – Thomas Jefferson

16. Write and keep track of your successes, and celebrate them

Documenting your wins helps you stay motivated and reminds you of how far you’ve come.

“Success is a journey, not a destination.” – Arthur Ashe

17. Your destiny is in your hands

You have the power to shape your future. Own your decisions and actions.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker

18. Your attempts may fail, but never fail to make an attempt

Failure is part of the process. What matters is the courage to try again.

“The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing.” – Henry Ford

19. Every arrow that hits the bull’s-eye is the result of 100 misses

Success is built on perseverance, not perfection.

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

20. Humility is a great virtue

Stay humble no matter how high you rise. Humility is the mark of true greatness.

“Pride makes us artificial; humility makes us real.” – Thomas Merton

21. Have patience—Rome was not built in a day

Great achievements take time. Be patient and trust the process.

“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” – Jean-Jacques Rousseau

22. We can’t control our yesterdays, but we can control our todays and tomorrows

Don’t dwell on the past. Focus on what you can change moving forward.

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” – C.S. Lewis

23. Never compare yourself with others

Comparison is the thief of joy. Focus on your own path and progress.

“Comparison is the death of joy.” – Mark Twain

24. Forget and forgive

Holding onto grudges only harms you. Let go and move on for your own peace of mind.

“To err is human; to forgive, divine.” – Alexander Pope

25. Good health is true wealth

Without health, success means little. Prioritize your physical and mental well-being.

“He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything.” – Thomas Carlyle

26. Have patience to see victory at the end—don’t expect immediate results

Stay committed even when results aren’t immediate. Success is a long game.

“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish.” – John Quincy Adams

27. Do your duty, and the rest will follow

Focus on doing your best in every situation. The outcomes will naturally align with your efforts.

“Do your duty, that is best; leave unto the Lord the rest.” – Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

28. Follow your instinct

Trust your gut when making tough decisions. Your intuition is often your best guide.

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift.” – Albert Einstein

29. Be confident, feel confident, act confident, project confidence

Confidence comes from within and influences how others see you.

“With confidence, you have won before you have started.” – Marcus Garvey

30. Be enthusiastic, passionate, innovative, and active

Passion drives success. Enthusiasm fuels innovation. Take action to make things happen.

“Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

31. Embrace change, and don’t fear uncertainty

Adaptability is key in a fast-changing world. Embrace new challenges and stay open to unexpected opportunities.

“Change is the only constant in life.” – Heraclitus

32. Learn from criticism, but don’t let it deter you

Feedback is valuable, but don’t let negativity dampen your spirit. Distinguish constructive advice from mere critique.

“Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.” – Frank A. Clark

33. Invest in continuous learning

Knowledge is power. Constantly seek new skills and information to stay ahead.

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi

34. Do not micromanage—empower your team

Trust your team’s abilities. Micromanagement stifles creativity and independence.

“Don’t tell people how to do things, tell them what to do and let them surprise you with their results.” – George S. Patton

35. Be accountable for your actions

Accountability is crucial for credibility. Admit mistakes, learn from them, and move forward responsibly.

“Accountability breeds response-ability.” – Stephen Covey

36. Develop a growth mindset

A growth mindset helps you see setbacks as opportunities to improve. Embrace challenges as learning experiences.

“In a growth mindset, challenges are exciting rather than threatening.” – Carol Dweck

37. Keep a positive outlook, even during tough times

Positivity helps you stay resilient and inspires those around you to remain hopeful.

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement.” – Helen Keller

38. Manage your time effectively

Time management is essential for productivity and balance. Prioritize tasks and avoid unnecessary distractions.

“Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” – William Penn

39. Practice deep work

Focus deeply on tasks without distraction to achieve high-quality outcomes, as Cal Newport advocates.

“To produce at your peak level, you need to work for extended periods with full concentration.” – Cal Newport

40. Respect others’ time as much as your own

Being considerate of others’ schedules reflects professionalism and builds mutual respect.

“Respect is how to treat everyone, not just those you want to impress.” – Richard Branson

41. Value quality over quantity in relationships

Build meaningful connections rather than focusing on the number of acquaintances. Strong relationships support personal and professional growth.

“It’s not about quantity. It’s about quality.” – Unknown

42. Set SMART goals

Goals should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. This framework ensures clarity and focus.

“Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.” – Tony Robbins

43. Show empathy in all interactions

Empathy strengthens relationships and builds trust. Understand others’ perspectives to connect more deeply.

“Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another.” – Alfred Adler

44. Remain humble in success and resilient in failure

Balance success with humility and view failure as a stepping stone rather than a setback.

“Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it’s thinking of yourself less.” – C.S. Lewis

45. Strive for consistency in all your efforts

Consistency builds reliability and reinforces trust. Stay committed to your values and actions over time.

“Success doesn’t come from what you do occasionally, it comes from what you do consistently.” – Marie Forleo

46. Be receptive to new ideas and feedback

Growth requires openness to learning from others. Be curious and welcome diverse perspectives.

“The greatest enemy of knowledge is not ignorance, it is the illusion of knowledge.” – Stephen Hawking

47. Create a supportive environment for others

Nurture a positive atmosphere that encourages learning, collaboration, and growth.

“Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher.” – Oprah Winfrey

48. Take responsibility for your life choices

Empower yourself by taking full ownership of your decisions and actions.

“You are always responsible for how you act, no matter how you feel.” – Unknown

49. Value your own uniqueness and strengths

Celebrate what makes you different, and leverage your unique strengths to create value.

“You were born an original, don’t die a copy.” – John Mason

50. Do not shy away from calculated risks

Taking risks can open up new opportunities. Balance boldness with thoughtful consideration.

“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” – T.S. Eliot

51. Practice mindfulness to stay present

Mindfulness improves focus, reduces stress, and helps you fully engage in each moment.

“The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion.” – Thich Nhat Hanh

52. Find joy in the journey, not just the destination

Happiness is found in the process, not just the end result. Savor each step of your journey.

“Success is a journey, not a destination.” – Ben Sweetland

53. Surround yourself with positive influences

The people around you impact your mindset and actions. Choose those who uplift and inspire you.

“You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” – Jim Rohn

54. Avoid burnout by balancing work and rest

Balance is essential for sustainable success. Prioritize time for rest and renewal to stay energized.

“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you.” – Anne Lamott

55. Be authentic and stay true to yourself

Authenticity attracts trust and respect. Embrace who you are, rather than conforming to others’ expectations.

“Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde

56. Give back to your community

Contributing to others enhances purpose and fulfillment. Use your skills and resources to make a positive impact.

“We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” – Winston Churchill

57. Never stop innovating

Innovation fuels growth and adaptability. Constantly seek better ways to do things.

“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” – Steve Jobs

58. Maintain a solution-oriented mindset

Focus on finding solutions rather than dwelling on problems. Problem-solving is a key leadership skill.

“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Peter Drucker

59. Encourage others and build their confidence

A great leader lifts others. Empower those around you to realize their potential.

“The best way to inspire others is by shining a light on their path.” – Unknown

60. Leave a legacy of kindness and integrity

Strive to make a lasting impact through the values you uphold and the kindness you show.

“No legacy is so rich as honesty.” – William Shakespeare

These 60 principles serve as a comprehensive guide for personal and professional success. Embrace each point with commitment, and let these insights steer you toward a life of purpose, growth, and fulfillment. The views expressed here are my own and do not represent my organization.

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