Successful people have taken different paths to get to where they are today. However, what this group of people shares is the habits they perform without fail every day. These habits come to successful people, like Bill and Melinda Gates, Warren Buffett, and Dr. Jane Goodall, as second nature, an automatic reflex, or an itch that they just can’t ignore. Here are five habits to cultivate if you want to be successful:
Waking Up Early
There is a ton of scientific evidence backing up the claim that waking up early can lead to a more productive day, which in the long run can lead to a more successful life. Waking up early is a habit of many successful people, ranging from Navy SEALS to CEOs of well-known companies. Immediately after waking up, the mind is still in a sleep-induced state of inertia where the brain is foggy and slow. This state can last for up to four hours. Waking up early gives you more time to clear out the brain fog before you start working or studying.
Read a Book, or 50 Books
In an interview, Bill Gates says he reads up to 50 books a year. That’s almost 1 book per week. In a survey among the wealthy demographic conducted by Tom Corley, an accountant and financial planner, close to 90 percent of participants said that they allotted at least half an hour each day to read a book as part of their self-care routine. Most successful people don’t read for entertainment, either. They read self-help books, tutorials, historical accounts, and autobiographies of other successful entrepreneurs and industry leaders.
Surround Yourself With the Right People
The adage “You are the average of the five friends you keep” rings true for successful people. They are very careful of who they surround themselves with. If your friends are only interested in having fun, bar-hopping every weekend, or binge-watching the latest TV series, then you won’t be inspired or motivated to do anything else. Find like-minded individuals who will challenge the way you think of problems and nurture your ideas.
If you want to reap the benefits of these successful habits, you’ll need to be consistent and use them every day. Incorporate more healthy and productive habits into your lifestyle as you become more comfortable and consistent with the three listed above.