10 Habit Ideas for Success
Most of us know that we should develop good habits, but which habits should we choose? Figuring out what habits to form that would make a meaningful impact can be challenging! To simplify the process, we’ve compiled a list of habit ideas that you can try for success in all areas of life. Let us know which habits have worked for you!
We also developed a habit tracker that you can use (free download here) that works with Notion.
1. Wake up Early
One of the habits that many successful people follow is waking up early! There might be some truth to the old saying the “early bird catches the worm.” Top CEOs like Tim Cook from Apple, Elon Musk, and even Oprah Winfrey are all known to be early risers. We all have different sleep needs, so the best way to incorporate this habit is to figure out the optimal time for you to wake up. Try not to waste the morning hours and use the time for something productive or meaningful for you!
2. Develop a routine
Daily routines can help us stay more productive because we can set a regular schedule and not have to think about it. Even within routines, it’s essential to make sure you have some time for spontaneous and creative activities. Try setting a partial routine for your day. For example, decide how you will spend the mornings and try to stick with it.
3. Eat Healthily
Healthy foods can help us stay more focused and improve our mood. Try to set habits where you eat a certain amount of vegetables per day or cut out drinks like sugary soda. Healthy eating will reduce the risk of illnesses and help your immune system. Less sick days mean more days where you can be energetic and ready to tackle your day.
4. Rest Properly
Productivity can seem like the opposite of getting rest. However, part of being productive and successful is ensuring you have enough rest. Figure out how many hours of sleep you’re getting and decide if you need to get more sleep. Your body needs time to recover to maximize productivity. Napping can also be beneficial for some people. If it works for you, you might want to schedule some short daily naps.
5. Find time for exercise
Exercise can make you feel good and be healthier! Physical activity can help your mental health, cardiovascular health, immune system, and more. Find an activity that you enjoy and that fits in your daily life. If you’re new to exercise, we recommend starting with small steps. Try to walk 20 – 30 minutes a day and gradually increase your exercise level.
6. Meditate
Meditation can help you feel refreshed and focused on the present. It’s one of the best ways to manage stress and can be a great habit to incorporate into your daily schedule. Think about what time during your day could benefit most from a meditation session. For example, a morning meditation can be great for making sure you focus on your daily task, but an evening meditation can help you wind down and relax.
7. Read every day
Reading every day is a great habit idea for success! It can help you detach from your screen time and acquire new knowledge. If you schedule reading time before bed, you may also get better sleep. We have an article on “10 ways to read more this year!” here for some extra reading motivation.
8. Schedule time for yourself
Remember to schedule some “me” time during your daily schedule! This is especially important if you’re busy with your work and family life. Block a chunk of your day, even if it’s not long, where you can have some time to yourself. Do something that you enjoy, like watching a T.V. show, listening to music, or taking a nice bath. It’s good to prioritize yourself to have more energy to help others.
9. Keep a to-do list
Keeping to-do lists is a habit that can help you stay more on top of your daily tasks with minimal stress. Instead of feeling overwhelmed with everything you have to do, writing them out into bite-sized pieces can make it more manageable.
10. Keep your space organized
The environment where you do your work is as important as the work itself. Many leading companies have state-of-the-art buildings for their employees and staff, like Google, Apple, and Facebook. These buildings feature spaces for relaxation, socialization, and focused work. We can incorporate this into our daily lives by ensuring that the area we work and live in makes us feel good and ready to be productive. Spend some time dedicated to cleaning every day so that you don’t need to clean all at once when it is messy.