It’s often not the big things that make us successful. Therefore, here are the 9 habits of highly successful people is that they are all little things.
FACT: It’s the little things that add up to a very BIG THING.
In launching and being challenged by my life-changing New Way Forward, I have the big ideas, the big to-dos and the big (mega!) obstacles.
I have significant habits such as an amazing morning routine, block/chunking my time and others that help me.
Then there are the little things that can be just as important.
These little things help me be in a mental, physical, emotional and even spiritual place to perform at my best.
And they just make life better.
If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right. -William H. McRaven
That was a quote my youngest son’s lacrosse coach, Charlie Estey printed on the team’s t-shirts. This is a success factor to be your best in the big things and all things.
So here are the 9 Habits of Highly Successful People that are little things:
1. Go on a News and Social Media Diet
Challenge yourself: How much do I really need to know about in the news or what other people are doing and thinking? Some engagement is fine but how much is sucking up my time or leaving me worried (unnecessarily), mad or upset? Take back control of your attention and agenda!
2. Get in an airplane (mode)
Somehow the sun will still rise in the east if you don’t instantly respond to the sound effects on your phone. Find the times and opportunities to put your smartphone in airplane mode. This will allow you to concentrate and be fully engaged in whatever you’re doing. Work and play. Whew! This is amazingly freeing.
3. Take a true lunch break (in two parts)
Drop the work and take a mental and emotional break. Look at your lunch hour as a time to refresh and reboot. Healthy and light eating is ideal. If you’re working from home, also take less than 30 minutes for a power nap. Set a phone alarm if need be (gentle alarm sound), for 20 minutes. You will only go into a light sleep and wake up refreshed and energized. Science proves this is incredibly healthy short and long-term.
4. Take a moment and be grateful
You cannot be unhappy if you’re being grateful. Even taking one minute to be grateful for even the smallest thing gives you that moment of happiness and doing it regularly improves your health, outlook and realizations of what’s really important and what’s B.S.
5. Hydrate – especially in the morning
We lose over 12 ounces of water in our sleep. Replenish that first thing in the morning. I notice a major cognitive improvement when I do it. Keep it up through the day. Men need 15+ cups of water a day, women 11+. Make some of your coffee breaks water breaks.
6. Learn to breathe
More and more science is showing that proper breathing is one of the most important yet underrealized healthy habits you can have. If several times a day taking just a couple of minutes to breathe deeply can make a tremendous difference in your health, cognitive, emotional and physical performance.
Simple method: Box breathing.
Through your nose slowly breathe in for 5-8 seconds
Hold it for 2-5 seconds
Breathe out through your mouth for a 5-8 second count
7. Take a walk
Even a five-minute walk can have huge benefits. It’s a chance to clear your mind or practice gratitude. When I’ve been stuck on something I’m working on, I often get a breakthrough on a short walk. Walking in nature every day has proven long-term benefits.
8. Take a 5-minute break every hour of work
This will reduce stress and fatigue. It can also give you the pause you need to gain clarity on what you’re working on. Many of the little things listed above can be done during your break. Some other ideas:
- Stretch or loosen up (try the first five-minute warm-up on this video: . The entire 13-minute workout is also excellent and anyone can do it at their level and intensity).
- Practice something fun such as learning how to juggle, working on your putting stroke, or other activity you never have time for but can pick away at.
- Daydream an intention. What you are wanting and how it will feel.
9. Ask Why?
When I am dreading some task, if I pause for just a moment and ask, “Why am I doing this?” the answer makes the task so much easier. Even if the answer is simply, “I’ll be done with it!” It’s about realizing the purpose, not just the doing.
BONUS: Get up earlier regularly
Granted, this isn’t a little thing. But a solid morning routine with many of the little things listed above plus some stretching/yoga, meditation, journaling and exercise will be a mega success habit for you. One of the biggest similarities highly successful people share is the habit of a morning routine (including many habits listed here).
Really there is no excuse to do 9 Habits of Highly Successful People that are little things. It’s worth it. They will make life better and help you achieve your big things.
Quotes worth pondering:
“The older I get, the more I’m conscious of ways very small things can make a change in the world. Tiny little things, but the world is made up of tiny matters, isn’t it?” -Sandra Cisneros
“Sometimes the most happy people in life are the ones with nothing. We can’t lose sight of the little things in life that should make us the happiest.” -Ryan Cabrera