The Healthy Habits of Successful People and how to Channel them
We all know those people - the ones who always seem to be productive, have a never-ending supply of optimism and who seem to tick off huge achievements faster than you can get through your groceries list. Time, luck and energy always seem to be on their side and no matter how much they proclaim to be ‘just like everyone else’ there’s a certain other-worldly glow about them that has you convinced that, though they might work hard for the things they have, they were really just born a winner.
Whilst there’s no doubt that privilege plays a huge part in giving people a head start in life, it doesn’t always guarantee success. Successful people - those who are living the life of their dreams - are usually made, not born and what actually sets them apart from others is their mindset rather than their circumstances.
Research suggests that only 8% of people achieve the goals they create for themselves. The major factor involved in either inhibiting or encouraging that achievement? Attitude. Or, more specifically, fostering a growth, rather than fixed, mindset.
For those not in the know, people with a fixed mindset believe that our character, intelligence and abilities are set in stone - that we have to just accept the hand we’re dealt and there’s nothing we can do to change it.
Those with a growth mindset, however, believe the opposite. They push their own limitations, challenge their own ideas and shed beliefs, habits and characteristics, firmly believing that achieving their goals is well within their grasp.
The healthy habits adopted by successful people all stem from that growth mindset, giving them a solid foundation from which to build their dreams. If you want to spring clean your own routines, actively work towards your goals rather than just think about them and set your life up for success, these are a great place to start.
Adopt a healthy sleep routine
Sleep is our version of a charge - when we don’t get enough of it, our energy suffers. Getting enough high quality sleep should be at the top of your priority list if you’re on the road to success. It’ll not only help you focus better and lift your mood but will also help to boost your immunity, mental wellbeing and lessen the risk of health issues related to heart disease and reproductivity. Finding this hard? Start by regulating your bedtime, imposing a tech-free window before sleep and ensuring your bedroom is as calm and welcoming as possible.
Unplug
Successful people are rarely contactable at all hours of the day and night, despite what the media might have you believe. Having strict boundaries around your availability is a habit you want to adopt early on if you want to feel rather than just appear successful further down the line. Ensuring parts of your day are completely tech free will give your brain a break, reduce stress levels and teach you to focus more on the present moment - all of which allows your mind the space it needs to get more imaginative and creative later on.
Boost your immune system
There’s nothing worse than feeling ill - it’s one of the biggest energy and mood sappers out there. This one might seem obvious, especially in the current climate, but there are many hidden habits that can end up leeching on our immunity if we’re not careful. Keeping stress levels low, getting enough vitamins and minerals in your diet and exercising on a regular basis will all work together to ensure your body is kept at optimum health so that you can give your goals the attention and energy they deserve.
Balance
Though successful people remain focused on their goals, they will be the first to preach the importance of taking time off, too. Now, remember that we’re talking about truly successful people, here - not just those who are rich and powerful but those who feel genuinely happy with the lives they’ve created for themselves. Taking time off is just as important as putting the work in when pursuing your goals - it gives your mind the space it needs to recharge as well as gives you a better perspective on what you’re working towards.
Keep up a routine
As much as we might like to think of ourselves as spontaneous adventurers, the truth is that human beings thrive on certain routines. Setting boundaries around your mornings, how often you exercise, the mental health practices you follow, what you eat and drink (most of the time) and your bedtime is a healthy habit worth incorporating on a daily basis. Though it’s unlikely every day will be the same, having these habitual markers will work to keep your body and mind in the best of health, ensuring that when you want to work on your goals, you’re in a fit enough state to do so.
Work on your attitude
The mind is a powerful thing. It’s been known to create the placebo effect, make us immune to pain and allow us superhuman strength. As mentioned earlier, our mindset plays a huge role in our success and fostering a positive one will bring you closer to achieving your goal than anything else. Successful people learn to practice gratitude for what they have, are empathetic towards others and focus on what’s really important. Crucially, they’re also not afraid to fail because they have an intrinsic understanding that doing so will ultimately make them better at what they do. Start by creating a gratitude journal - something that is widely praised for its far-reaching benefits - and looking for the positives in every ‘failure’ you experience. When you’re able to do that, you’ll have trained your brain to better navigate the ups and downs that are an inevitable part of growth.
The main thing to remember when building healthy habits for success is this: the state of your body and mind are the foundations on which you build your life. Carefully selecting how you treat both is the key to feeling a true sense of happiness and accomplishment.
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