15 Habits of Successful People That You Need to Adopt

Illustrated man holding flag

Have you ever wondered how the world’s most successful entrepreneurs schedule their day so that they stay at the top of their game? The answer is very simple: by making a few lifestyle changes and adopting new habits.

Highly successful people all have one thing in common – great habits and productive routines!

So, if you too want to follow in the footsteps of great business people like Jeff Bezos or Richard Branson, find out what life-changing habits you can adopt today!

Watch the most popular habits below:

1. Exercise

When we get busy, we tend to put exercise on the backburner. ‘I’m too busy’. ‘I have too much work to do’. ‘I’m too tired’. We’ve all used these excuses.

But you should prioritize exercise at the top of your list if you want to keep a healthy mind. Indeed, it makes you more aware and creative, and it helps you stay productive for longer periods of time.

All great leaders are strong believers in exercising, so it must mean that it’s true!

Take Richard Branson, for example. He wakes up at 5am every morning to run or cycle and insists that this daily habit has helped him boost his productivity and, as a result, become the successful man he is today.

2. Don’t Get Distracted

It’s easy to get distracted, from funny YouTube and Facebook videos to endless scrolling on Instagram and funny memes on Twitter. And let’s not forget Snapchat stories!

But do try not to let these meaningless pastimes take chunks of your time. Instead, set certain hours where you can mindlessly browse social media (like your lunch hour, for example).

Likewise, don’t spend hours watching episode after episode of your favorite series while putting off an all-important task.

3. Get an Early Night

Binge-watching your favourite TV show can also make you less productive in the morning, as you’ll most likely be sleep deprived. Therefore, it’s essential to get an early night to ensure you’re getting the much-needed shut eye that you deserve.

While some people can claim to survive on minimal sleep, the recommended amount for an adult is seven to eight hours; if you find that you’re regularly getting less than this, then you may need to make some major changes to your sleeping pattern.

4. Learn to Be an Early Riser

Similarly, waking up early can have added benefits within your daily routine. It not only gives you time to complete things on your personal list, but it also ensures you’re well equipped for the day ahead. As an early riser, you can exercise, read a book, write, organise your thoughts and meditate before you get to your workplace.

And although it might be tough to begin with, once you get into the habit of rising an hour or two earlier, you’ll feel much better and more confident with yourself. So, hold off the ‘Snooze’ button and learn to get out of bed in good spirits!

5. Map Out Your Day

By planning your day, you’ll get a clear idea of what you can and can’t achieve and will have a schedule that you need to stick to so you don’t go off track and get distracted. It will also eliminate any feeling of anxiety as you’ll know what you have to do for the day.

Even if your plan gets derailed, at least you’ll be able to physically see what you’ve achieved and what you need to try and accomplish the following day!

6. Fuel Your Brain with the Right Food

I know we’ve stressed this point a multiple of times but fueling your brain with the right food is so important!

Good nutrition and healthy eating with keep your blood pressure down, your metabolism running and your brain engaged. However, if you load up on carbs and stodge, you’ll notice a dip in your energy levels and a stall on your creativeness, which is neither helpful nor productive within the workplace.

7. Surround Yourself with Highly Motivated People

The people that you surround yourself with have more of an impact on your mindfulness than you can imagine. If you spend a lot of time with highly motivated and like-minded entrepreneurs, you too will feel inspired to do more and strive for success.

Conversely, if you spend a lot of time with lazy and negative characters, you’ll end up feeling drained and discouraged to work hard. So, be careful of who you associate with and who you confide in!

8. Find Time to Relax

Although you’re striving to get the most out of your day, it’s vital to unwind and relax to avoid feeling burnt out. Whether it’s reading a book, taking a bath, watching trashy TV or going for a drink with friends, you need to incorporate some me time into your schedule.

Most successful entrepreneurs take an hour before bedtime to unwind and identify what they have achieved during the day. After all, your company can only be in good shape if you are, too!

9. Listen to Motivating Music

Listening to a motivational song in the morning can get you pumped for the day. A good song can influence your mood and make you feel energized and confident. However, a sad song can do the opposite and make you more emotional.

On your daily commute, it’s essential to listen to uplifting music that will set you up for the day. And according to Psychology Today, ‘you can dial up a mood, mindset or perception on demand by choosing music that elicits a specific emotional response in you.’

10. Meditate

Many of us overlook the idea of meditation because it’s another thing that we need to try to incorporate into our daily routines. But almost all successful leaders take 10 minutes out of their day to practice their breathing to make sure that their thoughts and feelings don’t cloud their judgement.

To ensure you’re taking care of your mental wellbeing, you could download an app like Headspace or Calm that will walk you through the steps of meditation.

11. Make a List of What You’re Grateful For

By focusing on the things that you’re grateful for, you’re more inclined to have a positive outlook on your personal and professional lives, and you’ll be more inclined to achieve more as a result. It will also defer you from dwelling on any negative aspects of your day!

You could practice this habit when you wake up and before you go to bed to ensure that you’re striving for happiness and success.

12. Stay Organized

Staying organized can really help you achieve more and get the most out of your day. Organization can come in many forms, from creating a to-do list to keeping your desk tidy, your files updated and your personal space in order.

Organization can also mean different things for different people. What’s important is how you interpret it to stick to your personal plan.

13. Unplug from the Digital World

It can be exhausting trying to keep up with your social status in today’s demanding digital world, which is why it’s so important to spend a portion of your day offline (even if you’re a social media influencer or manager).

You need time away from your electronic devices to recharge your batteries and rest your eyes and mind. When you do so is entirely up to you, but it’s an effective habit that all entrepreneurs follow.

14. Keep a Diary

By now, you’ve established that you need to keep a note of your every move, but if you’re really invested in your development, you could also keep a diary!

In your diary, jot down what goals and achievements you want to accomplish on a long-term basis. This way, you can take your dreams and turn them into a reality.

Some people find it more achievable if the words are written on paper – and writing something out helps your brain identify that it’s real!

15. Stay Up to Date on Industry Trends

Keeping up to date on industry trends will help you anticipate movements and better prepare for any big changes. Whether you bookmark articles to read during your lunch hour or share information on your LinkedIn profile, it’s vital to stay within the industry know-how.

If you’re the boss, you should be the first to know and the first to inform the rest of your team!

Adding new habits into your routine can be hard to begin with, but once you’ve nailed it, you’ll be on the road to entrepreneurial success!

Do you follow any of the above habits? If so, let us know how it’s affected your routine in the comments section below!