11 things quiet achievers always do (but never talk about)

Ever wonder about those folks who just seem to have their act together all the time?

They’re smashing their goals left and right, but they’re not bragging about it.

Instead, they’re quietly getting on with it and making us all wonder, “What’s their secret?”

Well, hold onto your hats because I’m about to dive into the hidden world of these silent achievers. 

Let’s go through the 11 things these quiet high-achievers always do but never seem to talk about.

1. They Start Their Day Early

The early bird catches the worm, right? You bet!

Many quiet achievers are early risers. They don’t necessarily shout about it, but getting up with the sunrise (or before) is often their secret weapon.

This gives them a head start on the day, a chunk of peaceful, undisturbed time to plan, think, or even get a jump on their tasks. 

If you’re hitting the snooze button multiple times, you might want to rethink that habit.

Following in the footsteps of these silent achievers and embracing the power of early mornings could be your first step towards becoming a high achiever yourself. 

Practical Tip: Set a gradually earlier alarm each day to adjust your body clock, and plan a morning routine that gets you excited to start the day.

2. They Prioritize their Tasks

You won’t catch a quiet achiever running around like a headless chicken. Nope, these guys know exactly what they need to do and when.

They prioritize their tasks based on importance and deadlines. This doesn’t mean they’re constantly updating to-do lists or post-its.

It’s more about having a clear understanding of their goals for the day, week, or even month and then tackling each task methodically.

Practical Tip: Use a tool like a digital planner or app to prioritize your tasks based on deadlines and importance. Consider the Eisenhower Box (urgent-important matrix) for task prioritization.

3. They Take Breaks:

Let me tell you about a time when I was working non-stop trying to meet a project deadline. I was convinced that pushing through without breaks was the only way to get it done in time.

But all it did was burn me out and slow me down in the long run.

Then I noticed a colleague of mine – one of those quiet achievers – who seemed to always be on top of her work.

She was putting in the same hours as the rest of us but somehow she was more productive, more creative, and less stressed.

Her secret? Regular breaks.

She told me that taking short breaks helped her to refresh her mind and regain focus on tasks.

Ever since then, I’ve incorporated regular breaks into my day and the difference has been amazing. 

Don’t underestimate the power of stepping away from work for a few minutes.

A short walk, some stretches or even a quick coffee break can do wonders for your productivity and overall well-being.

Practical Tip: Implement the Pomodoro Technique, working in bursts of 25 minutes then taking a 5-minute break, to maintain focus and reduce fatigue.

4. They Keep Learning

Behind the calm, composed exterior of every quiet achiever, there’s a mind that’s constantly learning and growing.

Whether it’s reading a book, attending a webinar, or simply staying updated with industry news, these successful folks never stop expanding their knowledge.

According to a study conducted by the Pew Research Center, adults who are continuous learners are more likely to thrive in their jobs and feel more content in their personal lives. 

Practical Tip: Dedicate a fixed time each day or week for learning. This could be reading, online courses, or attending workshops related to your field.

5. They Practice Gratitude

Amid the hustle and bustle of achieving goals and ticking off to-do lists, quiet achievers always find time for gratitude. It’s easy to overlook the good in our lives when we’re focused on what’s next.

But these silent high-flyers understand the power of appreciation.

Taking a moment each day to acknowledge what you’re grateful for can shift your perspective and infuse positivity into your life.

It could be something as simple as being thankful for a home-cooked meal, a sunny day, or a supportive friend.

Success isn’t just about reaching the finish line, it’s also about appreciating the journey.

Practical Tip: Maintain a daily gratitude journal where you jot down three things you’re grateful for every day.

6. They Take Care of Their Health

I’ve always admired those people who seem to juggle a million things and yet, somehow, always find time to stay healthy. It used to baffle me until I became one of them.

I used to think health was something that could wait. Work, projects, deadlines – they all came first.

But after a while, my energy levels started dropping. I was constantly tired, unfocused, and just not as productive as I wanted to be.

That’s when I realized what those quiet achievers were doing right. They were making their health a priority.

They understood that good health is the foundation of all success.

So, I changed my routine. I started eating healthier, exercising regularly, and ensuring I got enough sleep.

And let me tell you, it’s made all the difference in the world!

My energy levels have skyrocketed, I’m more focused, and I’m getting more done than ever before. 

Practical Tip: Schedule your workouts like appointments, meal prep to ensure healthy eating, and maintain a consistent sleep schedule.

7. They Embrace Failure

No one likes to fail, right? It stings, embarrasses, and sometimes, it makes you question your abilities.

But every single one of those quiet achievers has failed. More than once.

But instead of letting failure knock them down, they embrace it as part of their journey.

They understand that failure isn’t a dead-end, but a stepping stone to success. It’s a chance to learn, grow, and come back stronger.

So next time you stumble on your path to success, remember this: each failure brings you one step closer to becoming that quiet achiever you admire.

Don’t shy away from it or let it shatter your confidence. Instead, pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep going. Because success isn’t about never failing; it’s about never giving up.

Practical Tip: Adopt a growth mindset. View failures as learning opportunities and actively seek feedback to improve.

8. They Surround Themselves with Positivity

Quiet achievers understand the power of a positive environment. They consciously surround themselves with uplifting and encouraging people, spaces, and ideas.

This positivity isn’t just about feeling good, it actually fuels their drive and motivation.

According to research by Harvard Medical School, maintaining a positive outlook helps you cope better with stressful situations, improves your overall health, and can even increase your lifespan.

If you want to achieve more, take a leaf out of the quiet achiever’s book. Start by inviting more positivity into your life and see how it transforms your perspective and boosts your productivity. 

Practical Tip: Engage with positive and supportive communities, both online and offline, that align with your goals and values.

9. They’re Not Afraid to Say No

I used to think that saying ‘yes’ to everything was the way to prove my dedication and worth. But all it led to was burnout and stress.

Then, I noticed the quiet achievers around me were doing things differently. They weren’t afraid to say ‘no’ when they needed to.

They knew their limits and understood that overextending themselves wouldn’t lead to success.

Learning to say ‘no’ has been a game-changer for me. It’s helped me maintain a healthy work-life balance, focus on my priorities, and ultimately, become more productive.

Practical Tip: Practice assertiveness and learn to politely decline requests or tasks that don’t align with your priorities.

10. They Keep Their Goals to Themselves

You might think that broadcasting your goals is a great way to hold yourself accountable. But quiet achievers often do the exact opposite.

They keep their goals to themselves. Why? Because they understand that actions speak louder than words.

Talking about your goals can sometimes give you a premature sense of accomplishment, making you less likely to put in the necessary work.

So, they prefer to keep their heads down and let their results do the talking.

Practical Tip: Share your goals only with a close circle who will hold you accountable rather than broadcasting them.

11. They Don’t Seek Validation

If you’re constantly seeking validation for your achievements, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.

Success is personal and it’s different for everyone. Quiet achievers understand this.

They don’t measure their success by likes, shares, or pats on the back. They measure it by their own standards and their own satisfaction.

They know that the only validation they need is from themselves.

So, if you’re always looking for applause, you might want to reconsider. Your success shouldn’t depend on what others think of you.

It should depend on what you think of yourself and how proud you are of your accomplishments.

Practical Tip: Reflect on your achievements and progress regularly. Celebrate your small wins and learn to self-validate your accomplishments.

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Lachlan Brown

I’m Lachlan Brown, the founder, and editor of Hack Spirit. I love writing practical articles that help others live a mindful and better life. I have a graduate degree in Psychology and I’ve spent the last 15 years reading and studying all I can about human psychology and practical ways to hack our mindsets. Check out my latest book on the Hidden Secrets of Buddhism and How it Saved My Life. If you want to get in touch with me, hit me up on Facebook or Twitter.

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