People who are truly successful in life do these 10 things every day

I’ve written about achieving success in many, many articles. And almost all of them have one thing in common – examples of highly successful people and what they did to achieve their enormous success.

But there’s one glaring issue with that – you’re not them. You don’t have the same starting point, the resources, or the same abilities as them. 

If you’re a regular person like me, you can try to mimic them, but that’s often not reasonable because we lead vastly different lives than they do. 

So, I decided to highlight only the things that you and I can do almost every day to hit the road to success.

1) Connect with others

One of the most important things you can do for both your personal and professional life is to connect with other people.

Building a strong network is a fundamental element of success. Attending events and connecting with others in their field opens doors to new opportunities, collaborations, and valuable insights.

But the key is not to do it solely for the connections. You have to be really ready and willing to bond with people on a personal level to get the most out of it.

Most importantly, bring real and tangible value to the table. Help them, and they will more than gladly help you if and when you reach out for it. 

2) Prioritize

Picture this: Your day is a pizza, and each slice is a task. Successful people don’t eat randomly; they start with the most delicious slice – the one that matters most. 

In other words, you need to tackle the big project before smaller tasks.

Granted, there are some weirdos who love leaving the best slice for last (like my old college roommate), but 9 times out of 10, dealing with the biggest task first will make you feel better and more accomplished. 

As Brian Tracy puts it, Eat That Frog!

3) Set goals

Successful people are like architects – they have a blueprint for what they want to achieve. It’s like having a to-do list for the future. For example, setting a goal could be aiming to learn a new skill by the end of the month.

This is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound (SMART). It’s the perfect way to set a goal. 

But the most important thing about goals is that they need to resonate with you and be Exciting and Rewarding. 

This adds two more letters to SMART goals, making them SMARTER!

4) Finish things

Success often hinges on finishing what you start. So, what’s the point of making goals if you don’t finish them?

Having the discipline to see tasks and projects through to completion ensures that you achieve goals and deliver results consistently.

For example, I’m currently doing the 30-day talking to camera challenge. I’m already halfway through and have no thoughts of giving up or skipping days.

Just think about how many things and projects you have started in the past. Would your life look different if you stuck with them?

I have many similar regrets. If I hadn’t given up on the many projects I’ve started over the years, who knows where I’d be by now. 

5) Delegate

One of the easiest and fastest ways to finish things is to delegate. It’s also one thing that’s almost unique to all truly successful people – they started delegating tasks as soon as they could. 

That doesn’t mean you have to hire a full-time employee or assistant, but if you have repetitive tasks that you hate doing but have to do them regularly, think about outsourcing them. 

In other words, find a part-time assistant, virtual or real, depending on your needs. 

For example, if you can, find a person to clean your apartment if you hate doing it or don’t have the time for it. 

There are many people who are more than happy to be paid for this and who need money, and it lets you focus on the things that are truly important to you. 

The things that really move the needle. 

6) Take risks

Talk to any truly successful person, and they’ll tell you that they took risks to get where they are now. 

Successful people make a habit of taking calculated risks daily, whether it’s trying a new approach to problem-solving or venturing into uncharted territory in their work.

For me, taking out student loans to go to college is also a risk. Perhaps one of the biggest ones you can take in your life. 

For others, not going to college and finding a blue-collar job or career is also a risk. But it’s also one that pays off for many people because skilled workers are in demand

So, whatever the risk for you may be, you better take it, or else. Or else you might feel sorry one day and regret not taking it for the rest of your life. 

7) Practice resilience

Life is full of ups and downs. Truly successful people know that. That’s why they don’t shy away from making mistakes and failing. 

In fact, they embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities to learn and grow, bouncing back stronger and more determined.

So, how can you start practicing the same? Train your mind to see setbacks as opportunities. Remind yourself of past successes and how you overcame difficulties.

Take care of your physical and mental well-being and embrace change as a constant in life by developing flexibility in your thinking and approach.

8) Journal

To learn from your mistakes, you need to reflect on them regularly, and that’s the reason many successful people reflect on their journey

Journaling is one of the best ways to do it. It gives you a space for self-reflection, allowing you to analyze experiences, set goals, and preserve a clear sense of direction.

For example, you can:

  • Detail specific challenges faced recently
  • Analyze the emotions experienced during those challenges
  • Reflect on how these challenges contributed to personal or professional growth

Or, why not express gratitude for people, opportunities, or experiences and reflect on the positive aspects of the day?

I personally brainstorm creative ideas or solutions before going to sleep as a way to let go of this stuff and all of these ideas in my head so I can fall asleep faster.

9) Help others

For many, success isn’t just about personal gain; it’s also about contributing to something larger than yourself. 

Volunteering not only gives you a sense of purpose but also expands your network and positively impacts your community.

I’m not going to lie to you and say that all the wealthy and successful people do this out of the goodness of their hearts. 

The wealthiest people take a lot, and I mean a lot, from people and communities, yet they give back only the smallest fraction of their wealth.

Still, if you want to be truly successful, staying grounded by helping others with your money, time, ideas, or mentorship is a great way to do it. 

10) Put down the phone

Smartphones conquered us, okay? Kids, adults, old people, we’re all staring at the screens all the time. And frankly, it shows. The world is divided and getting worse.

It’s far too easy to spew your nonsense, whatever it is, at other people. Everyone is so passionate about certain things and people that the world is almost at its tipping point.  

That’s why, in a world filled with constant digital connectivity, successful people recognize the importance of taking breaks. 

They don’t spend all their time on their phones or social media. Well, except Musk and Trump, of course. It seems they have all the time in the world to constantly post, read comments, reply, retweet, etc. 

The time that most of us don’t have because we have to deal with important things in life

That said, digital detox ensures you have mental clarity. It also reduces stress and promotes overall well-being, encouraging your sustained success.

Maybe these two bozos should also take my advice. 

Final thoughts

If you too want to become truly successful, don’t copy successful people. Take pointers from them, sure. But find the things that work for you. 

After all, you’re unique, and what worked for others won’t necessarily work for you, too. 

For example, many successful people swear by cold showers and waking up at 5 am. But that’s just not for me. 

Same as working 16 hours every day, backstabbing, throwing others under the bus, etc. You know, the actions that propel you to the top.

Adrian Volenik

Adrian has years of experience in the field of personal development and building wealth. Both physical and spiritual. He has a deep understanding of the human mind and a passion for helping people enhance their lives. Adrian loves to share practical tips and insights that can help readers achieve their personal and professional goals. He has lived in several European countries and has now settled in Portugal with his family. When he’s not writing, he enjoys going to the beach, hiking, drinking sangria, and spending time with his wife and son.

15 subtle signs your partner craves more intimacy from you

8 psychological habits of people who genuinely enjoy being alone