Table of Contents
Last Updated on 2015-01-03 by Kassandra
They say it takes 28 days to create a new or get rid of an old habit. I know most of my friends and family want to be happy and successful, but don’t always have the role models to show them the way.
I recently ran across this Huffington Post article that I wanted to share. The original article that the Huffington pulled from was actually written by someone named Paul C Brunson, who worked for 2 BILLIONAIRES! Several of the habits he shared I’ve already been introduced to through the companies I have, the people I hang around, and the personal development I’ve done … yet there were a few that were new to me.
I really think you should hear it from the original poster, but I also wanted to put my spin on it as well. Here are the first 10 of 20 habits for success:
Invest in Yourself
This is what personal development is all about. INVESTING IN YOURSELF! Helping you be a better person so that you can overcome new things in less time and less stress … Being able to interact better with others … Being able to achieve the dreams and be successful in your endeavors!
This can be anything from listening to audios by Scott Ross, Jefferson Santos, Zig Ziglar, Johnny Wimbrey, Jim Rohn …
This can be reading books by Tony Robbins, Rabbi Daniel Lapin, Andrew Carnegie, Robert Kiyosaki …
Or it can be investing in your education to learn more about additional streams of income, how to minimize taxes, how to invest in the stock market (it’s not as hard as people try to make it), or anything else that will help you grow.
This could also be learning a new language, new exercise or whatever the case may be!
If you are not growing, you’re dying. The moment you stop investing in yourself, it’s the moment you’ve written off future success and prosperity for you and anyone else you might influence.
Be Curious… About Everything
People with a millionaire or billionaire mindset see the world differently from the average person. What the rest of the world believes to be an issue or wants to complain about, those are the things people with a higher mindset go to work on.
That’s what entrepreneurs (those millionaires / billionaires) do … They are problem solvers. They’re curious about everything, just like a child.
Surround Yourself With “Better” People…
“You are the average of the top 5 people you spend the most time with.” – Jim Rohn
A large amount of how successful you are comes down to the people you spend your time with. The people you surround yourself with determine how you think, act, and ultimately how successful you will be.
Don’t be afraid to lose friends. Sometimes you have to prune back your garden in order for you to grow. And they’ll either grow WITH you, or you’ll grow into something more amazing … Be mindful of that. Sometimes people lash out because they’re scared you’ll leave them … But don’t stunt your own growth because you’re trying to please someone else.
If you read the original article I’m pulling these habits from, you’ll see that the Billionaires he worked for only had an inner circle of the most stellar people.
Never Eat Alone
I don’t have much to say on this except 2 things:
— apparently there’s a book on this
— you get a lot from social interactions, so this has some very scientific points behind it to (search the TED videos for more)
Power players get their key information straight from the source – and what better way to do that than over a meal? 🙂
Take Responsibility For Your Losses
 Too many people these days try to cover up their own mistakes or – even worse – blame others for them. But successful people know that they need to own up and take responsibility for it. You’ll be more respected for it, too!
Understand the Power of Leverage
 You cannot be everything to everyone. You can’t know absolutely everything. But what you can do is understand and utilize the power of leverage.
Rich, powerful, and successful people already know and understand this. That’s why they are specialists in a few things, average or subpar at everything else … It’s because they have other people working on the areas that they rock in so you can all synergize and grow together!
Robert Kiyosaki talks about OPM in just about everything he teaches. Using Other People’s Money is what investors and entrepreneurs do in order to create growth.
Leverage can be found anywhere, really. Does your boss delegate tasks to you? He leveraged your time and knowledge. Do you have a part in a research assignment? Your team is leveraging you to complete that part.
Leverage is also what is used in network marketing! Whether you’re a Mary Kay consultant, a Scentsy fan, or even if you’re an independent rep for the “VIP lifestyle on a beer budget” club, the people who build those businesses understand and utilize leverage.
“I would rather earn 1% off a 100 people’s efforts than 100% of my own efforts.” – John Paul Getty
Take No Days Off (Completely)
 Successful people always have their businesses and investments on their mind. And as you will (or have) read, successful people, even in the middle of an awesome, relaxing day on the yacht (IMAGINE!) they still were sure to add in time where they discussed business, strategy, and plans for the future.
I really like the original author’s explanation of it being like your child that you’re constantly thinking about.
Remember – what you focus on expands!
Focus On Experiences vs Material Possessions
 This is something I’ve felt more and more as the years have gone on. Every Christmas or Birthday people always ask me what I want … And I’ve finally started telling them either money so I can take a vacation through my club, or let’s just do something and spend time together!
Do you remember what you got for a gift last year? 5 years ago? If not, do you remember you last vacation? How long ago was it? Is it vibrant in your mind?
Material things come and go … they can be destroyed in a fire … but memories are neither lost, stolen, or destroyed … They’re something you keep with you as the years go on, and it’s something you can share with others to have future discussions about.
Experiences create MEMORIES … And those are PRICELESS!
Take Enormous Risks
 Without risk, there is no reward. And if you always shoot for the little things, you will never have the opportunity to get the big ones.
This is one thing that the successful have in common. The average person is uncomfortable taking risks, starting a new business, asking for help form someone more successful than they are … But if you want to be OUTSTANDING you must be willing to take risks … you must be willing to get out of your comfort zone!
Don’t Go It Alone
Just like in an earlier post, synergy is key! You can accomplish more and in less time if you work with other people who are working towards the same goal.
“Wealth is a team building sport!” – Jefferson Santos
Nothing great in life is achieved alone … It takes a village. Really. And this habit also reinforces the “surrounding yourself with better people” as well. Same idea.
If you’re ready to take steps to achieve your goals and become more successful, then click here to get occasional emails from me on that and so much more!
Next Post:Â Part 2 of 2 – 20 Habits for Success
The “If you’re not growing you’re dying” statement is near and dear to my heart because it’s so true. I have felt that way in my heart for years even though no one taught me that. I love learning new things so much and I really do feel like I’m withering and dying inside if I’m not. It’s great to hear someone so successful say the same thing.
Okay, “Be Curious About Everything”. That is me by nature. When I worked for FedEx I sought out the difficult projects that no one else wanted and complained if they got them because I loved the problem solving aspect. It actually got me two promotions there! Two! I only worked there for two years!
“Surround Yourself with Better People”. I have done my pruning and have since gained one good supportive friend, but I need people in my life pushing toward one of the same goals I have. I have two people like that on FB, but I need a live person in my life which may be hard to find, but hey, I like challenges. 🙂
“Never Eat Alone” is so true. I once had an internal customer that was always inundating me with emails, questions, calls, even calling my bosses. I could hardly even do my job for her because she was userping so much of my time. She didn’t trust me because she felt she didn’t know me. I asked her to have lunch with me one day and the entire dynamic changed. Not only did she trust me after that, but we became friends and she started giving me career advice, which was good. She was extremely experienced in our field and was three positions over my head.
“Take Responsibility for your Losses”. I could not agree with his statements more. I always told on myself when I screwed up and it did gain me respect. One thing I would add to his statements is when you come to your boss or whomever with your mistake, don’t do it until you have come up with three possible solutions for the matter to present to your boss to help mitigate the mistake. That will gain you even more respect because it saves them time and shows your intelligence and problem solving abilities.
“Understand the Power of Leverage”. Wow. Although I’ve been a part of that it was unknowingly and I’ve never seen it that way; very helpful!
“Take No Days Off (Completely)”. Well, I always used to work that way, and I am now for the goal I’m working towards. I thought I was a nut, ha ha! Seems I’m not and have natural talents in me for success! Hooray! 🙂
“Focus on Experiences vs Material Possessions”. I have never thought of it that way. I am halfway there, but I have just learned I need to get the rest of the way there because what he said is so very true.
I take enormous risks alright! Sometimes it even scares me but I push those thoughts back and focus on positive thoughts of success. Taking these kind of risks comes natural to me but not my husband so I am so proud of him for supporting me in them. I think it scares him sometimes too but I’m always there to encourage him and he supports me right back. It’s great!
“Don’t Go It Alone”. I need more of this in my life. I have a little, which is great, but I think more would serve me well.
Well, thanks for the post! I loved it and look forward to more insight!
Thanks!
My pleasure, Bekkah! Thank you so much for your support and feedback. I’ve seen you work on many of these habits, and I’m so proud of you for it! One thing I would add is to remember that coaches may not be doing exactly what you’re doing, but they can keep you motivated and help you focus on your end goal. But you should definitely find people who are or have been where you want to be so you can get guidance if you do follow the shinys! 🙂