It’s hard to picture yourself making decisions that can help you live longer and achieve more in life. Feeling successful is the key to happiness as an individual. There are many daily habits or routines you could practice daily to make your life easier, keep your self-esteem at a high level, and, quite simply, enjoy a life of success.
Some people find that they can create better daily habits by writing out a plan. This strategy will only succeed if the plan’s elements are ones that you will follow each day. Keep in mind that you must be able to stick to the program over time to see results.
Think about how these tips will help you balance your competing needs and achieve your fullest potential.
Consider How These Daily Habits Can Steer You Into Success
1. Get enough sleep.
One study looked at the ways that people’s habits in early life affects their success. It noted how previous studies on the subject had not considered the influence of the socio-economic status of young children and how it impacted them through life. However, this study showed people could be very successful if they are getting enough sleep in early life.
2. Practice self-control to find success.
The same study found that good daily habits are as important as displaying self-control in early life. For example, if a 4-year-old child could learn to delay gratification, as studied by Mischel et al. in the 1960s, it could be a predictor of higher educational achievement, a higher sense of self-worth, and a more exceptional ability to deal with stress, as well as a lower risk of drug use.
3. Be positive that your life will get better if you do delay gratification.
Another study by Casey et al. referenced in the same research found 4-year-olds tested showed less self-control in their forties. Not having self-control could lead to problems including early aging and shorter life expectancy. Also, the quality of one’s life could be less during any stage.
4. Change your habits so you can start living better.
Another resource from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases found lifestyle changes prevent diabetes and obesity. It’s not enough to want to feel better. You must be willing to commit to those good habits that are based on self-control.
5. Make an effort.
If you want to live better, you still have to make an effort. People who don’t want to develop health problems associated with a poor diet can do two things. They can become more active and eat better. You have to make time in your day to take a walk, ride a bike, go to the gym, or play a sport.
6. Take your health seriously because no one else has that duty but you.
A good example is if your employer or social organization offers free or low-cost programs to make you successful. If your employee wellness program has free exercise classes, try asking a co-worker or a friend to go too. Save money on a gym membership and do this program as often as you can.
7. Inspire others to motivate you.
You are more likely to set goals and meet them if other people are monitoring your progress. If you don’t think that your boss will check an assignment, you won’t do it, or at least you would pay less attention to detail. Right? If you need to get regularly checked for certain diseases, make the appointment. Ask a loved one or a friend to remind you. He or she could even go to the appointment, so you feel likely to follow up.
8. Practice showing your gratitude every day.
This will help you live longer. This means that you take the time to acknowledge what you are thankful for. In some cases, it could mean actually taking time to thank someone for his or her contribution to your success. Start with your parents!
9. Listen to your body.
Your body has many built-in ways to help you succeed. If you ignore signs of pain, for example, a fixable problem could worsen. If you pay attention to what your body tells you, there could be time to change bad daily habits. You could also seek medical treatment to address that information.
10. Surround yourself with positive people.
It’s hard to find success in isolation. Seek out opportunities to exchange ideas with other people. They can be like-minded even if they are working on the same project as you. It’s also recommended to find people with differing views. Any view that diverges from your own ideas will undoubtedly challenge you to consider a situation or problem from different angles. People who aren’t afraid to test your ideas are your equals.
11. Never consider yourself above others.
Success is fleeting. Anyone can succeed or fail on a daily basis. The people who find long-term happiness aren’t afraid to fail. They see each challenge as a learning opportunity and know they learn more from failure.
12. Put others in a position to succeed and make a significant contribution to the team.
You will find more success by using daily habits such as bringing others along with you towards a shared goal. Four-term U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was known for having the best people in his Cabinet.
President Roosevelt surrounded himself with talent from everywhere. He used to have fireside chats with the American public over the public radio. Once, he famously said, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” A top speechwriter on Delano’s staff coined that often-cited famous quote.
Recognize when others have more talents that can be used to solve a problem. Don’t be afraid to give credit to others and step down if you aren’t the best candidate for the task.
13. Try to become an early bird.
Give yourself an earlier start to the day. This starts by going to bed early. When you wake up, eat a good meal and get started on the day’s agenda. At night, you end up feeling that you have accomplished a lot. You feel successful because you have practiced good daily habits. You feel more likely to achieve tomorrow’s goals.
14. Protect your body to prevent diseases.
It makes sense that we will find more success if we try to avoid people who make us feel bad about ourselves or stress us out. If you are going to work outside, you need to wear sunblock and prevent skin cancer. If you work a stressful job, you need to schedule breaks and vacations. Both examples are based on the premise: Please don’t expose your body to unnecessary harm. It only takes a few minutes to practice prevention each day.
Adopt These Daily Habits, Drive Towards Success
Each type of daily habit that we have described above is meant for your own improved health and well-being. People with good habits feel better about themselves.
People who enjoy a level of success feel healthier. Thus, they attend work more. They also take more recreation time. They feel hopeful about the future. It’s easier for them to solve problems. If they can’t solve a problem, they ask someone who can help. They enjoy the company of others, and these same people help them out when they are down.
If you can make small changes in your habits, you will feel better. It’s possible to become happier too! Help yourself feel better most of the time! You are worth it!
The alternative to good daily habits is poor habits. These will bring you down. Wrong choices will make you feel like you are less able to get through the day. Some poor habits, such as over-eating, substance abuse, and smoking, will, at a minimum, cause long-term damage to your body. This can decrease your life expectancy, which means you will have fewer years to enjoy your loved ones. Give yourself every opportunity to live a long and happy life filled with success by making good choices!