People who keep moving forward in life usually practice these 8 daily habits

In life, we all strive to keep moving forward, but it’s not always as simple as putting one foot in front of the other.

From my personal experience and as the founder of Hack Spirit, I’ve learned that those who continually progress in life have a secret weapon: a set of daily habits.

These habits are like a hidden engine, fueling their journey towards their goals. And the good news? Anyone can adopt these habits.

In this article, I’ll share 8 daily habits practiced by those who keep moving forward in life.

These are not just things I’ve read about – they’re habits I’ve incorporated into my own life as a mindfulness and Buddhism expert.

Let’s dive in.

1) They embrace mindfulness

A key trait of those who keep moving forward in life is their habit of practicing mindfulness.

Mindfulness, the art of staying present and fully engaged with whatever we’re doing at the moment, is more than just a buzzword. It’s a daily practice that successful people incorporate into their lives.

It might be as simple as starting the day with a few minutes of quiet reflection, or making a conscious effort to stay focused on one task at a time throughout the day.

The beauty of mindfulness is that it keeps us anchored in the present, preventing us from dwelling on past mistakes or worrying about future uncertainties.

In my personal journey as a Buddhism expert, I’ve found that cultivating mindfulness is crucial for maintaining forward momentum. It allows us to meet challenges head-on, rather than being derailed by them.

2) They practice gratitude

Another habit that I’ve noticed in people who keep moving forward is the practice of gratitude.

Gratitude is not about ignoring life’s challenges or pretending everything is perfect. It’s about shifting our focus from what’s wrong to what’s right.

In my own life, I’ve found that maintaining a gratitude journal helps me stay focused on the positive aspects of my day, no matter how small they may seem.

Buddhist monk and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh puts it perfectly: “The seed of suffering in you may be strong, but don’t wait until you have no more suffering before allowing yourself to be happy.”

In essence, practicing gratitude allows us to be happy with what we have while we continue striving for more. It’s a powerful habit for maintaining momentum and keeping a positive outlook on life.

3) They understand impermanence

One of the most powerful habits of those who continue to move forward is the deep understanding of the concept of impermanence.

Impermanence is a fundamental principle in Buddhism that everything in life – our feelings, thoughts, people, and even our own existence – is constantly changing. Nothing remains the same forever.

Recognizing this truth can be a tough pill to swallow. We tend to hold tightly onto our successes, fearing they might slip away. Similarly, we can become consumed by our failures, convinced they are permanent.

But when we truly grasp the nature of impermanence, we learn to let go. We stop resisting change and start embracing it as part of our journey.

We realize that success isn’t final and failure isn’t fatal. It’s the courage to continue that counts. This understanding keeps us moving forward, no matter what comes our way.

4) They cultivate self-awareness

Moving forward in life isn’t just about action, it’s about insight. And that’s where self-awareness comes into play.

Self-awareness is a cornerstone of mindfulness. It’s about observing our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors without judgment. It’s about acknowledging our strengths and weaknesses, successes, and failures with an open and accepting mind.

This might sound easy, but it’s not. It requires honesty, courage, and a good dose of humility.

We all have blind spots, areas of our life where we struggle to see the reality. Self-awareness shines a light on these areas, helping us to understand ourselves better and make positive changes.

By cultivating self-awareness, we can navigate life with greater clarity and confidence. We can make better decisions, build stronger relationships, and most importantly, keep moving forward.

5) They live with maximum impact and minimum ego

This is a concept I hold dear to my heart and even dedicated an entire book to it: Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego.

Those who continually move forward in life have mastered the art of balancing their ambitions with humility.

They strive to make a positive impact, whether it’s in their personal lives or professional careers. They set high goals, work hard and are committed to personal growth.

At the same time, they understand the importance of keeping their ego in check. They’re open to feedback, not afraid to admit mistakes, and always ready to learn from others.

It’s this balance that allows them to achieve without becoming consumed by arrogance or pride. It’s a key habit that keeps them grounded while they keep moving forward.

6) They practice acceptance

Acceptance is a critical habit of those who keep moving forward. And no, acceptance doesn’t mean resigning oneself to mediocrity or giving up on personal growth.

In the context of mindfulness and Buddhism, acceptance is about acknowledging reality as it is, not as we wish it to be. It’s about letting go of our resistance to the present moment.

Life is full of ups and downs, successes and failures, joys and sorrows. When we resist these realities, we create unnecessary suffering for ourselves. But when we accept them, we can find peace amidst the chaos.

Acceptance isn’t always easy, especially when life throws curveballs our way. But it’s an essential habit for moving forward.

By accepting what we cannot change, we free up energy to focus on what we can control – our actions and responses.

7) They cultivate compassion

Compassion is not just about being kind to others, it’s also about being kind to ourselves. And that’s a key habit of people who keep moving forward.

When we mess up, our first instinct is often to beat ourselves up. But such self-criticism rarely leads to improvement. Instead, it can lead to self-doubt and stagnation.

On the other hand, approaching ourselves with compassion allows us to learn from our mistakes and move on more quickly. It provides the emotional resilience needed to keep moving forward.

Renowned mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn said it best: “You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.”

Cultivating compassion towards ourselves and others is like learning to surf life’s waves – it doesn’t make the challenges disappear, but it helps us navigate them with grace and resilience.

8) They take time to do nothing

Now, this one might seem counterintuitive, but stay with me.

In a world that glorifies busyness, taking time to do nothing might seem like a waste. But in fact, it’s an essential habit of those who keep moving forward.

Mindfulness teaches us the value of stillness. It’s during these quiet moments that we can recharge our mental and emotional batteries. It’s when we can reflect on our journey, reassess our direction, and reconnect with ourselves.

It’s not about being lazy or unproductive; it’s about understanding the importance of balance.

Don’t be afraid to carve out some “do nothing” time in your day. Whether it’s a few minutes of meditation or simply sitting quietly with a cup of tea, this deliberate pause can help you maintain clarity and focus as you continue to move forward in life.

Conclusion

These habits aren’t about quick fixes or shortcuts to success. They’re about adopting a mindset and way of life that supports continuous growth and progress.

Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Start incorporating these habits into your daily routine, and before you know it, you’ll be making strides towards your goals.

If you’re interested in learning more about living with maximum impact and minimum ego, I invite you to check out my book: Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego. It delves deeper into these concepts and offers practical advice for applying them in your everyday life.

Keep moving forward, one day at a time. Your journey is unique, and every step you take is a step towards growth.