Be Successful with the Action Habit (Skip #1 at Your Own Risk)
Here's how to be more successful in 14 tough (but necessary) steps. Don't be afraid. #7 will make the process of achieving a big goal seem less scary and intimidating. 🙂
Note: A version of this article originally appeared at Lifehack.
“One day you will wake up and there won’t be any more time to do the things you’ve always wanted. Do it now.” – Paulo Coelho
1. Slow and steady wins the race.
As much as you might want success to be quick and easy, life doesn’t always work that way.
If you run into this adventure in a big hurry, you will probably get overwhelmed and call it quits.
If you want to be successful, train your patience muscles. You’ll need them later (trust me, I know). 😉
2. Begin with the end in mind.
What do you want from life? What do you want to be remembered for? Please let go of any preconceived notions.
For a brief moment, let's forget what “society” wants you to do. Don't worry about what your friends or family might think. There are no rules. What do you desire?
3. Remember there is always time for fun and play.
Life is too short to be a workaholic. You won't forget everything you know during your vacation or stay-cation; on the contrary, you’ll come back feeling driven, energetic, and inspired.
4. Celebrate every victory (no matter how small).
Baby goals are great because they offer a constant stream of positive feedback that makes you feel happy and productive. It's more fun to celebrate 20 small successes than 1 big one.
5. Remember why your goal is important to you.
Inspiration is fleeting. The temptation to quit can be overwhelming. Remind yourself why you care about achieving your goal. The daily grind has a way of making people forget what matters most.
6. Hang out with people who encourage you to grow.
True friends don’t belittle you but they don’t let you settle for less than your best either. Connect with people in your field. Visit your local Chamber of Commerce or online networking groups on LinkedIn.
7. Split your Big Goal into baby goals for instant motivation.
You know what’s a bummer? Goals so ambitious that success is like a mirage in the desert. No matter how many steps you take, victory appears to be miles away. This might help. Forget about losing 50 lbs. Lose 5 or 10 for now.
8. Read books and blogs by the best and brightest…
You’re not alone. As we speak, people are doing the same exact thing you want to do. Read their content to learn what worked for them (save time and trouble). Why reinvent the wheel when a simple touch-up or creative flair will do the trick?
9. …but also stay true to your unique personality.
Do be open to gentle shoves in the right direction. Do NOT let yourself become a copy of another guy (or gal). People want to know the human behind the machine. Be authentic (that means share strange but true confessions which may or may not be embarrassing). Read about "idea sex" in Choose Yourself by James Altucher to see what I mean.
10. Work smart (not hard).
Strapped for time? Cook in bulk. Choose the least busy day of the week, gather your groceries, and knock-out 5-7 days of meals in a single shot. My fave bulk-cooking dishes (at the time of writing): spaghetti with lean beef, grilled chicken salad and stir fry with rice, tuna, corn, peas, and carrots. Try the last one with a squeeze of lemon: you won’t be sorry! 😉
11. Watch out for time bandits.
Time flies when you’re online. Have you ever logged on to Facebook, blinked a time or two, and then the next thing you know it's three hours later? It happens to everybody. Walk away from your computer. Put down your cell-phone. If you check your Facebook 5 times a day for 5 minutes per log-in on 5 days per week, you are burning more than 2 hours per week. Wow. Light-bulb?
12. Be ready to make sacrifices.
What’s more important: your ambition or recreation? You can have both, but successful people strive for a healthy balance. Close your door so you can get stuff done. Are your roommates too much to handle? Go to a coffee shop with your laptop and turn down an invite to the club sometimes so you can work your hustle muscle (your bills aren't going to pay themselves, are they?!).
13. Know when it's time to go outside.
Who says you need to work until you pass out? Working to exhaustion is counterproductive. Not only will your work be mediocre at best, but you’ll also risk creating an association between work and misery. The best work comes from a place of love and happiness. Not feeling it? Stop. Walk away. Pet your cat, look at the stars, take your dog for a walk, catch up with old friends, go on a road trip, or do something (anything!) else.
14. Do something.
I'm repeating myself because this is important.
What follows is the success tip to end all success tips...
No advice article in the world can help you become successful if you fail to take action Click to tweet
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