You’ve seen the articles: ” A 30-year-old makes $80,000 a month in passive income working 20 minutes a day” or “How a high school dropout became a tech billionaire.”

When we look at highly successful people, it’s easy to attribute their accomplishments to pure luck or inherent genius. 

But the truth is success isn’t born overnight. 

It’s a product of daily habits, consistent efforts, and a mindset that doesn’t settle for mediocrity.

As historian and philosopher Will Durant told us, “We are what we repeatedly do.”

Today, we dive into eight everyday things that highly successful people do differently, according to the experts. 

Are you setting yourself up for success?

Let’s find out. 

1) They exercise

I know you’ve heard this one before, but it’s so important that it simply can’t be left out. 

As noted by Healthline, regular exercise doesn’t only have physical benefits, it also helps our minds.

Research has shown that exercise can help us relieve stress, improve our mood, get better sleep, and boost mental clarity. 

I think we can all agree that these things are pretty key to achieving success. 

It’s no wonder so many successful people start their day with exercise. Here are just a few examples:

• Apple’s CEO, Tim Cook, hits the gym every morning. 
• Jocko Willink, a former Navy SEAL turned author and podcaster, also starts his day with a workout. 
• Richard Branson is known for mixing it up with tennis, cycling, and kitesurfing. He believes that these physical activities boost his productivity.

I could on. The point?

Exercise has a lot more benefits than the obvious physical ones. 

How to develop this habit in your life

Getting regular exercise might seem daunting, especially if you’re not used to it.

But integrating physical activity into your routine can be manageable and enjoyable. 

Start small; even a short walk daily can be beneficial.

Gradually increase the intensity and variety of your workouts to keep it interesting. 

Also, scheduling your exercise sessions as if they were important meetings can make it easier to commit to them. 

Remember, consistency is key, so choose activities that you enjoy and can see yourself doing regularly.

2) They maintain a positive mindset

Sure, this one might sound a bit cliché, but it’s backed up by the experts. 

Those at Mayo Clinic, for instance, have highlighted that positive thinking can enhance our ability to cope with stress and bounce back from challenges more effectively.

It’s not hard to understand why this is the case.

As clinical psychologist Monica Vermani explained in a post for Psychology Today, “Our thoughts lead to our perceptions, behaviors, actions, interactions, and choices.”

I’ve witnessed the power of positivity firsthand through a friend, an emergency room nurse.

His job, filled with high-stress scenarios, never seemed to diminish his spirits. His secret? 

Always looking for the silver lining. 

Whether it was appreciating his ability to help others or acknowledging the skills of his team, John’s positive attitude was his armor against the daily pressures of his job.

Could a shift towards more positive thinking benefit your approach to the challenges you face? 

How to develop this habit in your life

Cultivating a positive mindset starts with awareness of your habitual thoughts.

Begin by observing your thought patterns, especially during challenging times. 

Practice reframing negative thoughts into more positive, constructive alternatives.

For example, instead of thinking, “I can’t handle this,” you might say, “I will do the best I can.” 

Regular practices like gratitude journaling, where you write down things you are thankful for every day, can also help shift your focus from what’s going wrong to what’s going right. 

Surrounding yourself with positive influences—people who uplift you and media that inspires—can also reinforce your efforts to maintain a positive outlook.

3) They get up early, but they get enough sleep

While many successful people are known for rising early, they also make sure to get ample sleep. 

Don’t believe me?

• Oprah heads to bed at 10 P.M. and wakes naturally at 6 A.M., ensuring she gets a full eight hours of rest. 
• Similarly, Sheryl Sandberg turns in by 9:30 P.M. to secure her eight hours. 
• LeBron James takes it even further, clocking in around 12 hours of sleep daily. 
• Even Jeff Bezos prioritizes eight hours of sleep. He has stated that “eight hours of sleep makes a big difference for me, and I try hard to make that a priority. For me, that’s the needed amount to feel energized and excited.”

Unsurprisingly, the significance of sleep is also backed by science. 

The NIH highlights that sleep deficiency can severely disrupt work, school, driving, and social functions.

It impairs learning, focus, and reaction times and is associated with serious health issues like heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and depression.

Hardly a recipe for success, eh?

How to develop this habit in your life:

• Stick to a consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends, to regulate your body’s clock.
• Limit exposure to screens and bright lights at least an hour before bedtime to enhance your sleep quality. 
• Lastly, consider incorporating relaxation techniques like reading or meditation into your bedtime routine to help calm your mind and prepare for rest

4) They practice mindfulness

Ever wonder how top achievers maintain their cool in high-stress situations? 

The secret might be simpler than you think: mindfulness.

As Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn has stated, mindfulness is an “awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, nonjudgmentally.”

However, it isn’t just about relaxation; as the American Psychological Association has noted, research shows that mindfulness can lower stress and emotional reactivity and boost focus and memory. 

For the highly successful, this practice is not just a way to manage stress but a strategic approach to enhance mental clarity and maintain steadiness no matter what challenges come their way.

Those adept at it don’t typically get into this state of mind naturally—they develop it through consistent practice.

By anchoring themselves in the present, they avoid getting trapped in past mistakes or future worries, which is crucial for making clear-headed decisions under pressure.

How to foster this habit in your life:

• Start with short, daily sessions where you focus solely on your breathing for a few minutes. This simple act can help you begin to cultivate mindfulness. 
• Use reminders around your work or living space to prompt you to return to the present moment throughout your day. 

5) They give thanks

This is a big one. 

As noted by CNBC, influential figures like Ariana Huffington, Tony Robbins, and Oprah Winfrey all practice gratitude, attributing it as a key component to their success.

Oprah shared with The Hollywood Reporter that her nightly routine includes jotting down five things she’s grateful for from her day. 

Similarly, Huffington has said, “I love the idea of starting and ending the day with three things I’m grateful for.”

While it might sound a bit new age, the power of this practice is supported by a wealth of scientific evidence. 

Research indicates that gratitude can lessen symptoms of depression and anxiety, bolster heart health, reduce stress levels, and even enhance sleep quality.

How to develop this habit in your life

Begin by setting aside a few minutes each day to reflect on things you are grateful for. 

You might find it helpful to write them down in a gratitude journal every morning or evening. 

Alternatively, you can make it a practice to share what you’re grateful for with a loved one at the end of each day.

This not only reinforces your own feelings of gratitude but can also strengthen your relationships.

This was a game-changer for me personally.

If you haven’t tried it yet, consider starting today—it could transform your perspective and amplify your success.

6) They read

It’s no secret that successful people often are voracious readers.

Bill Gates, for instance, is said to read a whopping 50 books a year. 

Barack Obama devotes about thirty minutes before sleep to reading. 

Ariana Huffington has also emphasized the value of reading physical books as part of her nightly routine. 

For these leaders, reading is more than entertainment—it’s a gateway to new ideas and perspectives, enhancing creativity, reducing stress, and contributing to overall well-being.

And this, again, is backed up by science.

Studies have shown that reading  can help us to “make sense of our worlds.”

It can also reduce depressive symptoms and might even help us live longer!

How to develop this habit in your life:

• Choose books that truly interest you; if you’re not engaged by what you’re reading, it’s harder to make it a habit. 
• Schedule just a few minutes each day to read, maybe before you go to bed. Read only a few pages to begin. Getting started is the hardest part.

7) They accept responsibility 

“It wasn’t my fault.” “They didn’t give me enough support.” “The timing was all wrong.”

Sound familiar?

You won’t hear these phrases from successful people. 

Instead of playing the blame game, they embrace accountability for their actions and circumstances, always seeking ways to evolve and improve. 

Psychologists might describe this trait as having an “Internal Locus of Control.” 

Brad Klontz, an associate professor of financial psychology, has highlighted the importance of this perspective.

He points out that it allows individuals to step away from seeing themselves as “hapless victims” where “nothing is our fault.” 

Klontz emphasizes, “When it comes to success, it really pays to take responsibility for your results.”

By adopting this mindset, successful individuals empower themselves to influence outcomes and drive change.

How to develop this habit in your life:

Start setting small, personal goals where the results depend solely on your efforts.

This practice can help build your sense of agency and accountability. 

When facing problems, focus on solutions you can influence rather than factors beyond your control.

This shift in perspective can be transformative, leading to greater personal and professional growth.

8) They don’t let setbacks define them

Did you know that before becoming the literary giant behind Harry Potter, J.K. Rowling faced a lot of rejection?

Her first manuscript was turned down not once but twelve times.

Yep, the very book that would spawn a billion-dollar franchise and captivate millions around the globe was initially rejected by a dozen publishers.

Oh, and did I mention that when she wrote that first book, she was a single mother living on welfare?

Despite these rejections and battling financial hardships, Rowling didn’t throw in the towel.

This sort of resilience is a classic trait among the supremely successful. 

This is widely acknowledged by experts in their field, too.

The folks at the American Management Association, for example, have called resilience “The Secret to Success.”

Think about it—how do you deal with disappointment? Does it knock the wind out of your sails, or do you shake it off and come back stronger? 

The way we handle life’s inevitable lows plays a huge role in our successes.

For those who make it big, failures are merely stepping stones, each one laying the path a bit further towards their goals. 

Next time you hit a bump, ask yourself: What would J.K. do?

How to foster this habit in your life:

• Start by reevaluating how you perceive failures. Instead of viewing them as the end of the road, see them as opportunities for growth and learning. 
• Reflect on setbacks and identify what it taught you or how it helped you improve. 
• Surround yourself with supportive people who encourage you during tough times and remind you of your strengths. 

The bottom line

That just about wraps it up from me, folks.

Success isn’t a sporadic event but a result of daily practices and habits. 

The actions and attitudes of highly successful people offer valuable insights for those on their own journey toward success.

But remember, everyone’s path is unique.

What works for one person might not work for another.

The key is to experiment with these habits and find what resonates with you.

As always, I hope you found some value in this post. 

Until next time.