LIFESTYLE; A style of living that reflects the attitudes and values of a person or group
If there is any topic that gets discussed more often in recent times, it is the topic of success. I suppose that is fair considering no one wants to be unsuccessful. There are tons of resources, books, audio materials and sermons built around the concept of success, enough to help everyone around the world become successful. But the reality is, even with all the talk and resources, real success is evasive to many people. I am compelled to believe this is because success is more than information on the pages of a book or knowledge gained from a talk, success is a cumulating of certain habitual actions, attitudes and behavioral patterns.
While each person’s journey to success may differ, studies have shown that some traits are present in the lives of many if not all of the people we consider truly successful. What I find most interesting is that these things have nothing to do with big decisions or expensive suits, rather little habits applied with consistency and discipline.
ATTITUDE:
- THEY DO: While everyone else is watching and reading and talking about what can or should be done, successful people actually take a step further to execute what should be done. This regardless of whether they are certain their actions will turn out successful or not. In fact, most time, it looks more likely to fail than succeed.
- THEY LOVE PROBLEMS: They never back away from a problem. In fact, they embrace problems and do so excitedly. Successful people understand that breaking even has everything to do with creating a solution to a human problem or meeting a need, they therefore see every problem as an opportunity to bring forth a solution and thrive.
- DELIBERATE: Successful people are deliberate about their actions. They are not tossed around by whatever comes. They do not sit around waiting for success to find them or daydreaming, instead they plan, they prepare and they take their work or actions with all seriousness.
- CURIOUSITY: They are curious to know and understand what is going on around them and how they can contribute to their environment. They don’t just let things slide but they ask questions that help them position themselves better for success.
- They know and focus on exploring and putting forward their strengths rather than wasting time brooding over what went wrong or skills they are not very vast at. They also take steps to fully harness the best of them and give little time to inadequacies.
- DARE: Successful people do not settle or stay within their means, they dare to dream big and to reach for things that have the capacity to stretch their limits and break them out of mediocrity. This is not to say that they naturally have no fears or uncertainty, but they take the risk anyway.
PHYSICAL
- EXERCISE: Regular exercise is one of the most common habits of successful individuals. It may seem like this has little or nothing to do with success but it does. Don’t forget that success is first a function of the mind before it becomes something the world can see. Exercise has been known to release feel good hormones in the system which in turn makes for optimism and confidence through the day and in our dealings. Also, exercise helps to clear stress and de-clutter the mind such that a person is able to think more clearly and make calm decisions for the future. The most basic though, is that health is wealth. It takes a strong healthy person to take practical steps towards success.
- LEARNING: Successful people are perpetual learners. You would be amazed to hear how much these people read. The need to stay relevant in their chosen field keeps them constantly turning pages and seeking out knowledge or information to help them in their quest and when they achieve their immediate goal, they continue to learn to improve on what they already have and know.
- ASSOCIATION/INTERACTIONS: They say birds of a feather flock together. Successful people are careful not to keep the company of downers or time wasters. They are quick to identify people who can be relevant to their journey and to keep company with that kind instead of carrying around sentimental relationships that will do them no good. They align with people who think like them and create mutually beneficial relationships.
FINANCIAL
- They do not eat more than they make
. They have balance. While they may be financially successful, they know that the terms money and success are not interchangeable. They understand that people who are successful on a financial level only, are not successful at all. They also understand that money is to be managed and not squandered. They do not chase frivolities they cannot afford and do not spend all their income on unnecessary things.