10 Daily Habits of the Rich and Successful - Have you ever wondered about how fortune always seems to favor certain people? Whatever they do seems like an instant success and wealth simply gravitates towards them. I truly believe it's all in the mindset. But, mindset alone will not make you rich and successful. You have to take consistent actions!
A closer look at the lifestyles of the rich and successful reveal a pattern of habits. And now, you too can emulate this pattern and write a success story of your own.
10 Daily Habits of the Rich and Successful
1. They Are Early Risers
The adage, “the early bird catches the worm” has never been truer. Waking up early gives you a head start over everyone else. In fact, waking up just a few hours before you have to head off to work gives you time to get your priorities in order and maybe even get some extra work done. It is how the Tim Cooks and Richard Bransons of the world always stay on top of their game.
Skip the bedtime social media scrolling and set the alarm just a few hours earlier than you need to. Get a full night’s sleep and wake up early the next day- it will make a world of difference.
If you need some inspirations on how rising early will impact your life, I highly recommend reading 'The 5 Second Rule' by Mel Robbins and 'The Miracle Morning' by Hal Elrod. If you read using Audible, both books are read by the authors - you will definitely get a kick on your motivation.
2. They Set Goals
Successful people never leave things to chance - every day, they know exactly what they want to achieve. According to Corley, about 81% of wealthy people create and follow a to-do list. This just shows that their lives are the consequence of a series of conscious decisions, not luck.
Before going to bed, make a list of what you want to achieve the next day. This gives your day a sense of direction and purpose. Besides, every completed task is a mental check that will keep you going for more!
I have used few planners to set daily, weekly, and monthly goals for myself. I highly recommend Productivity Planner or Grateful Moment Journal to set goals for yourself and track your progress. You will be surprised to know how much you have accomplished after few months of diligently writing down and tracking your goals!
3. They Exercise
A healthy mind and a healthy body are not mutually exclusive. You would be surprised by the number of C-suite executives- certainly very busy people- who take time out in their daily routines to work out. The famous Oprah Winfrey makes sure that she gets in at least 10,000 steps a day while Richard Branson starts working out immediately upon waking up at 5 am.
Working out doesn’t just keep your body fit; it gives your brain that extra boost of energy to power through the day. If you ever feel like slacking off, just remember, nobody with a lethargic lifestyle has ever made it to the top.
If you are a busy mama like me who struggles to find time to go to a gym or to a yoga class, you can still squeeze in time to exercise at home. Doing a 20 minute of exercise of these youtubers will definitely make you feel more healthy and boost your energy for the rest of the day.
4. They Read A Lot
The busiest people in the world, those who enjoy tremendous success in their lives, always make a point of reading and conscious learning. While the rest of the world engages in mindless entertainment, the ones who call the shots suggest that you spend at least 5 hours per week reading.
Be it self-improvement or a subject that can develop your knowledge base, take up a daily reading challenge and invest in your growth.
With Audible making it easy for you read nowadays, you really don't have much excuse to not read. You can listen to a book while commuting, cooking, or cleaning the house. It will make your daily chores so much more productive!
5. They Avoid Television And Social Media
While we all love to watch television or scroll through our Instagram feed, it is never a productive use of time. More often than not, you lose out on many hours in the blink of an eye. According to Corley, 67% of the rich and successful watch only an hour or less of television in a day.
Being on social media is also a habit. In order to adopt the daily habits of the rich and successful, avoid such activities which just take away from your day. Instead, dedicate your time towards engaging in valuable behavior, such as listening to podcasts or reading inspirational books.
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6. They Know How To Say “No”
Life is the art of prioritization. And when you prioritize, you will need to say “no”- be it activities which don’t fit into your agenda or requests that are beyond your current abilities. Remember, if you choose to be a people-pleaser, the standard of your work will drop.
When it comes to saying no, be kind yet firm. When success is on your mind, you have no time to spare.
7. They Network
The rich and successful are often part of large networks of like-minded people. After all, the more people you know, the more opportunities lie ahead of you. Besides, just being associated with determined individuals can inspire you to be the same.
Make a point of attending work events and striking up conversations. Every person you meet has a wealth of knowledge to share. And who knows, the next person you meet at a networking event might just be your new business partner!
8. They Make Sound Financial Decisions
Overspending is never a good sign. And rarely will you find a successful person doing so. In fact, saving, rather than splurging is what marks them apart from the rest of the world. While everyone else spends on things they don’t need, Mark Zuckerberg drives around a regular Volkswagen hatchback and wears simple T-shirts and jeans- just the necessary.
Rich and wealthy people know how to manage their money well. Know how much you are currently making and spending, while focusing on growing your net worth will be key to being the rich.
Cut down on luxuries you don’t need; save and invest instead of flashing wealth. For your spending, make a budget and stick to it. After all, being wealthy and carefully maintaining finances go hand in hand.
9. They Know When To Take A Break
Burnout is a very real problem; most professionals have faced it in their careers. In fact, painfully long work days never translate into productivity and can actually be detrimental to the quality of the work and even one’s mental health. While they do start early, most successful people leave their workplaces by 5 pm or 6 pm.
Don’t let work overload your mental capacity. Tune out when needed and come back in full force the very next day.
10. They Take An Active Role In Their Lives
Most rich and successful people have a rags-to-riches story. Even when the odds were stacked up against them, they were persistent in their efforts. Instead of wishful thinking and relying on luck, they went out, knocked on countless doors of opportunities and eventually, they rose to the top. Developing the habits of the rich and successful will help you take actions against all odds without you thinking.
Don’t let life pass you by. Take action, go out of your comfort zone and carve your own path. That, more than anything, can be the key to your success. One of my favorite quotes by Karen Lamb:
A year from now you may wish you had started today
So start today and take actions. Start improving your money mindset. Set goals, and take consistent actions. A year from now, you will truly be glad you took the steps to be where you are at.
And lastly, here's a great talk on how to break the bad habits and a form a good one!