14 Habits of Successful People to Make Your Own

14 Habits of Successful People to Make Your Own14 Habits of Successful People to Make Your Own Success isnt something that happens to us, its something we make happen. Here are fourteen habits that successful people embrace.Having life goals is great, but those goals alone wont carry you anywhere unless you create habits that help you make them reality. If your goal is to improve the quality of your blog articles, you might develop the habit of editing to tighten your writing before your final proofread.Successful people dont rely on instant gratification, they think long term. They find small steps satisfying because they can see that every step leads them closer to the desired outcome. You cant write a novel without writing individual scenes, for example, but each scene takes you closer to the finish line.Shonda Rhimes memoir, Year of Yes , explores what happens when we say yes to lifes challenges. Its scary to step outside your comfort zone, but the world opens up when you do. Try saying yes to the things that scare you. You never know where it might leadEveryones got some greatness in them. You do. The girl over there does. That guy on the left has some. But in order to really mine it, you have to own it. You have to grab hold of it. You have to believe it. - Shonda RhimesWe often agree to do things that we dont want to do. It may be because we want to keep peace, or to make people like us, or even just because we feel obligated. Taking on things that youd rather not can leave you feeling resentful. Instead, just say no . Theres no need to make excuses. Remember, your life is your own and you have every right to decline.There are significant benefits to being grateful. It can improve the state of your physical and mental health, increase empathy and reduce aggression, and even help you sleep better . Grateful people are happier.If you want to be liked, show an interest in people. Successful people listen more than they talk, and theyre curi ous about other peoples experiences. Even the shyest people can communicate effectively if they remember to listen first.Successful people dont just talk about getting things done. Apple wouldnt be the success it is today if Steve Jobs had sat around dreaming about how cool personal computers might be instead of acting. If you want to accomplish something, take a step. Then take another. Keep going Youve got this.Take a look around your desk , office or living room. Its likely you see a thing or two that you dont love and dont need. Clearing the clutter can help you feel renewed and energized. Incidentally, the same goes for your writing. Learning how to tidy it up will make you a better, clearer communicator.Negative thoughts can keep you stuck. Successful people tend to be optimistic and capable of thinking positively. Even when badeanstalt situations arise, they know how to reframe them with a positive spin. (Instead of lamenting that their wallet was stolen, they might be grate ful that the thief didnt try to hurt them.) Theres even research to show that writing about intensely positive experiences daily helps lift your mood.Inspiration is fleeting, and successful people know it. Great writers, for instance, write regularly whether the muse pays them a visit or not. Successful writers, from King to Kafka, made writing both a priority and a habit . If you want to be good at something, you have to do that thing regularly, even when you dont really feel like it.Journaling daily has a surprising number of benefits . The simple act of clarifying your thoughts can help you put them into perspective and even get to know yourself better. Journaling can reduce stress and make you a better problem solver. Bonus Because youre practicing when you journal, even if you dont edit what you write, your writing skills will improve.No, really. Katherine Hepburn was a huge fan. Theres evidence to suggest that taking a cold shower (by starting warm and then lowering the temper ature to a chilly sixty-eight degrees) kick-starts the body by releasing endorphins The practice can ease brain fog, aid in weight loss, and even help lift depression.Social media can be a great communication tool. Unfortunately, bingeing on social media can also be a source of stress . It stirs up competitive feelings by inviting you to compare your life to other peoples. It can make you feel more isolated from the world rather than connected. At the extreme end, it can even become an addiction. Take a social media detox from time to time. Your brain will thank you.Successful people dont rely on others to make them happy . They realize that although things happen that are beyond their control, they can control their own reactions to them. As Milton said, The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.This article was originally published on Grammarly . It is reprinted with permission.