Success can seem like an elusive goal—reserved for those with extraordinary talent, endless connections, or perfect timing.
We often hear about overnight millionaires, “self-made” CEOs, and groundbreaking innovators, making it easy to think they possess something unattainable.
But here’s the reality: success is built on small, consistent actions over time, not just monumental achievements.
It’s often not about drastic life overhauls or once-in-a-lifetime opportunities—it’s about the little habits we cultivate each day.
Today, we explore five such habits that can set you on the path to becoming a highly successful person.
Ready to elevate your life one small step at a time?
Let’s dive in.
1) Embracing a growth mindset
A highly successful person understands the power of having a growth mindset.
What is a growth mindset?
Coined by psychologist Carol Dweck, it’s the belief that our abilities and intelligence can be developed with time, effort, and dedication.
As Carol Dweck herself said, “In a growth mindset, challenges are exciting rather than threatening. So rather than thinking, oh, I’m going to reveal my weaknesses, you say, wow, here’s a chance to grow.”
People with a growth mindset don’t shy away from hard work or struggle.
They know that to achieve great things, they need to constantly push their boundaries and step out of their comfort zones.
And this is often what sets apart the highly successful people from the rest.
They’re not afraid of failure or making mistakes. Instead, they take these as stepping stones towards their success.
2) Continuous learning
Highly successful people know that learning doesn’t stop after school—it’s a lifelong journey. They constantly seek out new knowledge, whether it’s through books, articles, or other experiences.
Take Bill Gates, for example, who is known to read nearly one book a week, or Warren Buffett, who reportedly spends 80% of his day reading.
Research also shows that reading and learning are directly linked to success.
Socio-economist Randall Bell, Ph.D., has studied the habits of highly successful people for over 25 years and has stated, “Those who read seven or more books per year are more than 122 percent more likely to be millionaires as opposed to those who never read or only read one to three [books].”
The takeaway?
If you want to be successful, adopt a mindset of continuous learning. Cultivate a habit of reading, asking questions, and exploring topics that inspire you.
The more you learn, the more you can grow.
3) Getting up early
We’ve all heard the phrase, “The early bird gets the worm,” and while it might be a cliché when it comes to success, it seems to be true.
If you look at the daily routines of highly successful people, you’ll often find one common habit—they get up early.
Take Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, who starts his day at 3:45 a.m., Or Jack Dorsey, the former CEO of Twitter and founder of Square, who is up by 5:30 a.m. Michelle Obama and Disney’s Bob Iger rise at 4:30 a.m., and Richard Branson of Virgin Group is ready to start his day by 5:45 a.m.
These leaders know that those quiet early morning hours are prime time for setting the tone for the day, tackling priorities, and getting a head start while others are still in bed.
And it’s not just anecdotal—there’s data to back it up.
A survey conducted by Sleep Junkie found that early risers not only tend to make more money but also report higher job satisfaction compared to those who wake up later.
Waking up early gives you uninterrupted time to focus on your goals, work on self-improvement, or simply plan your day before the world comes alive. It’s a chance to prioritize your success before distractions set in.
4) Embracing single-tasking
How often do you find yourself juggling multiple tasks—responding to emails while on a conference call, or scrolling through social media during meetings?
We glorify multitasking as a way to “get more done,” but the truth is it might be hurting us more than helping. In fact, some experts suggest that multitasking can reduce productivity by up to 40%. Yes, 40%.
The solution? Embrace single-tasking.
Single-tasking is the art of focusing on one task at a time, giving it your full attention before moving on to the next. This approach not only increases efficiency but also enhances the quality of your work and reduces stress.
A helpful way to practice single-tasking is through time blocking. This means setting aside dedicated chunks of time for specific tasks throughout your day, free from distractions.
Instead of splitting your attention across several activities, you create focused windows to complete one thing at a time, allowing for deeper concentration and better results.
By ditching the multitasking myth and opting for a single-tasking mindset, you can boost your productivity, work smarter, and make meaningful progress toward your goals.
5) Keeping a to-do list
Last but not least, keeping a to-do list is a habit of highly successful people.
It might sound simple, but writing down your tasks can make all the difference in organizing your day, staying on track, and reaching your goals.
Dr. Randall Bell also emphasizes the importance of this habit.
According to him, “Those who maintain both a calendar and to-do list are 289 percent more likely to be millionaires, as compared with those who have no real set schedule.”
Having a to-do list allows you to prioritize your time effectively, break big projects into manageable tasks, and feel a sense of accomplishment as you check things off.
It’s a powerful way to bring structure to your day and make sure nothing falls through the cracks.
The bottom line: It’s all about the habits
Most often, success isn’t an overnight transformation—it’s a journey built on small, intentional habits practiced consistently.
From fostering a growth mindset and embracing continuous learning to waking up early, single-tasking, and keeping a to-do list, these small yet powerful habits can help lay the foundation for a successful life.
Are you ready to start building the habits that lead to success? Your journey begins with one small step. Start today.
