Adrian Volenik
Does having a successful life sound like something unattainable to you? Do you feel like you “deserve” to have more success at this point in life?
If so, you’re not alone. Most people I know think they should be more successful than they are right now.
But the question is, how do they, you, and I get there? That’s the topic of this article.
In it, you’ll learn how to make small everyday changes to 10X your achievements. Let’s begin!
1) Productive work
First things first, start by identifying your peak productivity hours. You can do this by paying attention to when you’re most alert and focused.
Next, use this time for work that requires deep concentration and creativity. Use methods like the Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks and the Pomodoro Technique for productivity.
With the Eisenhower Matrix, you divide tasks into four categories:
- Urgent and important
- Important but not urgent
- Urgent but not important
- Not urgent or important
And with the Pomodoro Technique, you work 25 minutes and have a 5-minute break afterward. I prefer 30/5 or 60/10. See what works best for you.
2) Set clear goals
When you don’t have clear goals written down, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Define your goals using the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
Break down big goals into smaller, manageable steps. Regularly review and adjust your goals as things change.
Many people aspire to become successful YouTubers, so I’ll use this example. SMART goals for a YouTube channel focusing on Mediterranean food, cooking, and recipes would look like this:
- Specific: Develop a YouTube channel that offers a variety of authentic Mediterranean food cooking tutorials and recipes. Highlight its diverse flavors and techniques.
- Measurable: Aim to upload a new cooking tutorial or recipe video twice a week. Ensure each video is well-researched, visually appealing, and provides clear step-by-step instructions.
- Achievable: With your passion for Mediterranean cuisine and culinary skills, this goal is realistic and within your ability to achieve.
- Relevant: Mediterranean cuisine is celebrated for its health benefits and savory flavors. Your content aligns with the growing interest in healthy eating and cultural culinary experiences.
- Time-bound: Within the next year, strive to reach a subscriber count of 10,000 and 500,000 views on your YouTube channel.
3) Visualize success
Visualization means vividly imagining yourself achieving your goals.
It’s a somewhat controversial topic that mostly got a bad rep because of the movie and self-help book The Secret.
However, some research confirms that visualization helps achieve certain things.
By regularly visualizing your success, you reinforce positive neural pathways, boost your confidence, and develop a stronger belief in your abilities.
This technique can improve your performance and increase your motivation to work toward your goals.
When my goal was to move to a different country, buy an apartment there, and walk every evening on sandy beaches, I put up a photo of exactly that and imagined myself doing it.
This was at a time when I was still working a minimum wage job, just got a kid, and my wife was on maternity leave.
But, with hard work, we achieved the things we visualized in a relatively short time.
4) Positive affirmations
I always stress how much of a difference a positive mindset has on your success. People who think everything is against them and have this doom-and-gloom mindset never achieve anything.
The key is crafting affirmations that align with your goals and values. Repeat them daily to develop a positive self-image and boost your confidence.
And most importantly, replace negative self-talk with these affirmations whenever doubts arise.
5) Gratitude
“Success is a journey, not a destination. The doing is often more important than the outcome.”
– Arthur Ashe
Being grateful and recognizing the things and people already in your life is also incredibly important.
We’re all chasing the next big thing and forget that it’s all about the journey and not the destination.
Keep a gratitude journal where you jot down things you’re grateful for each day. This practice shifts your focus to the positive aspects of your life and can improve your overall well-being.
6) Morning routine
My day starts by waking up between six and seven when my cats wake me up to feed them. I then drink coffee on the terrace overlooking the city, and I journal. After that, I stretch briefly until my family gets up.
I’d like to work out in the morning to utilize this alone time, but my body just doesn’t respond well.
Create a routine that suits you. It might include activities like stretching, meditation, breathing exercises, reading, lifting weights, rope jumping, cold showers, or journaling.
Starting the day with these practices boosts your mood, increases focus, and reduces stress.
7) Exercise
Exercising is incredibly important. Engage in a mix of aerobic, power, and flexibility training. Find activities you genuinely enjoy, whether jogging, dancing, yoga, or playing a sport.
Regular exercise can increase energy levels, reduce stress, and improve sleep quality.
For instance, my health has improved significantly since I started rope jumping. My blood pressure is normal again, and I’ve lost a lot of fat, all from doing it for 15 to 30 minutes daily.
8) Healthy diet
A healthy diet played a big role, too, of course. Six-pack abs are made in the kitchen, not in the gym.
You don’t have to focus on having visible abs but on improving your health and your mind. Without that, you can only have limited success in life.
Focus on whole, nutrient-dense foods. Incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables, proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats.
Track calories! Don’t listen to your body’s hunger and fullness cues, and avoid excessively processed foods, sugary snacks, and alcohol.
9) Quality sleep
I have the luxury of not using an alarm clock to get up. But for most of my life, I had to use it, though. And for almost ten years, I had to get up before 5 am.
That meant I didn’t get enough quality sleep and always felt extremely tired.
It wasn’t until I decided to create a calming bedtime routine. It signaled my body that it was time to wind down.
I also avoided screens before bed, maintained a comfortable sleep environment, and aimed for 7-9 hours of uninterrupted sleep.
With this strategy, I finally achieved acceptable sleep quality, and I attribute this to having a more successful life.
10) Spend time outdoors
Make an effort to spend regular time outdoors. Whether it’s a leisurely walk in the park, a hike, or simply relaxing by a lake or sea. Being in nature has a calming and rejuvenating effect.
While outdoors, why not engage in activities that connect you with nature, such as fishing, kayaking, rock climbing, or foraging for wild edibles (if you have the necessary knowledge)?
But don’t overdo it because you might realize that chasing “success” isn’t as beneficial as enjoying the little things in life.
In that sense, spending time outdoors might be harmful to your success. Go figure!
11) Digital detox
Many of us spend most of our time in front of screens of all sizes. Obviously, for some of us, it’s our job.
But what’s not our job is watching Netflix and YouTube, scrolling social media for personal use, and watching sports or Friends reruns.
Dedicate a certain period of time each day to disconnect from screens and digital devices. Use this time to immerse yourself in offline activities or spend quality time with loved ones.
This practice helps reduce screen time, minimize digital distractions, and encourages you to engage in activities that promote mindfulness, creativity, and human interaction.
12) Think about mortality
I left an interesting habit to conclude this article. It’s contemplating mortality.
This thought-provoking exercise can lead to personal growth, perspective, and a deeper appreciation for life.
Here’s how thinking about mortality can be beneficial and how you should approach it:
Perspective shift
Reflecting on the finite nature of life can shift your perspective from trivial concerns to what truly matters.
It helps you prioritize experiences, relationships, and activities that bring meaning and fulfillment.
Again, I must stress that this might result in you not wanting to chase “success.” You could come up with a different approach to life, so be careful.
Motivation to act
Recognizing that time is limited can motivate you to take action toward your goals and aspirations. It can push you to seize opportunities and make the most of each day.
For example, I just passed the 40-year mark, which made me aware that I’m more than halfway through.
This made me focus more on productive work and saving more money for retirement. To save more, I have to earn more, which is a great motivator.
I also work more on my health as I want to be around for my kid as long as possible.
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