Bill Gates, Oprah Winfrey, Shonda Rhimes and Mark Zuckerburg; what do all these people have in common apart from being massively successful? They all started with a vision and dedicated themselves to achieve it. They inspired to be the best and consequently managed to climb to the top of the ladder.
Their life stories inspire awe and admiration but can their success simply be attributed to hard work and dedication? Was it just fate that they were able to get ahead while others stumbled and fell behind? Or were they simply lucky while others were not?
If we take a closer look at their lives and the choices they had to make to get where they are now, we find certain habits that are common in successful people. By adopting these habits and practicing them daily, we can increase our chances of success.
The 7 Great Habits of Inspired People
Let us look at the 7 habits of inspired people and what we can learn from them to be more successful.
1. Set Out Clear Goals
When you are deciding on a goal for yourself, it is important to take all the tiny details into account. A goal that is too vague is hard to achieve. So think about what you want and how you are going to achieve it. What will be the risks involved? Why is it worth it? And how long will it take you to achieve it?
Your goal should first and foremost lie within a realistic parameter. Next, you should have an elaborate plan on how to achieve your goal before a specific deadline. Lastly, you should break your main goal into smaller goals that are spaced out over shorter periods so that you can keep a check on your progress.
2. Take Responsibility For Your Actions
So what if the plan you set out for yourself failed? Here is what successful people do not do, when their plans fall through: they don’t make excuses. Own up to your shortcomings, embrace your failures and extract lessons from your failed endeavors so even though you don’t achieve what you set for, you still gain something valuable that is wisdom.
Playing the blame game by holding others responsible for your mistakes is a waste of time and energy. Own up to your actions or lack of action. Take responsibility for your mistakes so you can learn from them. The difference between those who succeed and those who do not is that the former choose to grow while the latter choose to harbor resentment towards others.
3. Know What You Want
Inspired people do not live under self-delusions. They are well aware of their strengths and weaknesses. So they are able to make better decisions that improve their chances to succeed instead of hindering their progress. It is important that you dedicate some time to self-discovery. This will allow you to play to your strengths and increase your chances of success.
What are your passions? What are the things you enjoy doing the most? Chances are that if you choose your goals according to your likes and dislikes you are likely to succeed. This is because when you enjoy what you do, your work does not feel like a drag. At the end of the day, you don’t feel like your energy’s drained, instead you feel invigorated.
4. Don’t Procrastinate
They set strict deadlines for their tasks and they make sure to get the job done by not procrastinating. If you are finding a certain task difficult, all the more reason to start working on it sooner than later.
In order to succeed don’t run from your fears and put things off for later letting them pile up. Keep your head in the game and attempt the tasks you find most daunting first.
5. Stay Focused
Military-style discipline is another important trait of inspired people. Plan your day in such a manner that the tasks relevant to achieving your goal do not get ignored. Do not get sidetracked by smaller irrelevant tasks. Schedule your day, assign specific time periods to other tasks and prioritize the ones that will help you achieve your goal. Keep your eye on the prize and stay focused.
6. Celebrate Your Success
Inspired people are acutely aware of their weaknesses but that does not mean they ignore their progress. So make sure to give yourself a pat on the back and acknowledge your feats. This is why it is so important to break your main goal into short term goals, not only this lets you assess your progress, you also get the satisfaction of giving your best and keeping at it.
Be proud of your hard work and celebrate your achievements. Reward your efforts by treating yourself to something nice like a vacation or indulging in your passion.
7. Anticipate Failure
They have a hunger for success but that does not mean they fear failing. In fact, while these people give in their 100% to make sure they make it, they remain cognizant of failure. They are well aware of the risks involved so while they focus on succeeding they prepare for failing as well.
This means they are not taken by surprise when their plans fall through instead they have backup plans and immediately redirect their energies to fixing the problem.
Success is not an elusive trait that only a select few of us can experience. By changing our mindsets and practicing the above mentioned strategies one can achieve success. Not only is success a measure of the work one puts in, but also a measure of our resilience in the face of adversity.
Remember that a defining trait of inspired people is kindness. So while it is commendable to work hard in order to get ahead make sure to lend a helping hand to others who might be struggling. Work hard work with honesty, discipline, and motivation, and inspire those around you to do the same.
Summary
Here’s a quick recap of The 7 Great Habits of Inspired People:
- Set Out Clear Goals
- Take Responsibility For Your Actions
- Know What You Want
- Don’t Procrastinate
- Stay Focused
- Celebrate Your Success
- Anticipate Failure
Which of these 7 Habits of Inspired People inspired you the most? Leave your comments below.
