21 Habits of Highly Successful People: The Key to Success in Few Steps

Being close to influential and powerful people provides valuable insights into their habits and behaviors that have led them to success. For anyone with dreams of success, understanding these habits can be inspiring.

Researchers interviewed 200 successful individuals—including 7 billionaires, 13 Olympic medalists, and numerous entrepreneurs—and asked, "What is your key to success?" The responses revealed some fascinating insights.

Daily Habits of Successful People

Here are 21 habits that highly successful people practice daily:

1. They Wake Up Early
   Successful people are often early risers. Apple CEO Tim Cook starts his day at 4:30 AM. Jeffrey Immelt, former CEO of General Electric, wakes up at 5:30 AM for his morning workout. The late Sergio Marchionne, former CEO of Fiat and Chrysler, was known to wake up as early as 3:30 AM.

2. They Make the Most of Every Minute
   While many people plan their day by the hour, successful individuals schedule their time down to the minute. They view time as their most valuable asset and never waste it.

3. They Focus on Their Most Important Tasks
   Successful people clearly identify their most crucial activities and prioritize them. They work with full concentration on their high-priority tasks.

4. They Prioritize Productivity Over Busyness
   Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Workweek, says that being busy is often a form of mental laziness. Successful people don’t get caught up in unnecessary busyness; instead, they focus on meaningful, high-impact activities.

5. They Think Ahead
   Successful individuals anticipate future scenarios and make decisions today that will benefit them in the long run.

6. They Maintain Work-Life Balance
   There will always be more work to do, but successful people understand the importance of balance. They prioritize rest, family, and exercise while effectively managing their 1,440 minutes each day.

7. They Write Down Their Thoughts and Ideas
   Successful people believe in the power of written thinking. Whenever they have a new idea, they jot it down in a notebook or on their phone to revisit later.

8. They Limit Time Spent on Social Media
   They avoid excessive social media use and turn off notifications during work or meetings to stay focused.

9. They Avoid Unnecessary Meetings
   Meetings can be time-consuming and often stray off-topic. Successful individuals ensure that meetings are necessary, brief, and focused on key points.

10. They Say "No" to Unimportant Things
    Successful people understand the value of their time. If an idea or request isn’t exceptional, they say no.

11. They Use the 80/20 Rule
    According to the Pareto Principle, 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. Successful individuals identify and focus on that crucial 20%.

12. They Delegate Tasks Effectively
    Rather than micromanaging, they trust their teams and delegate tasks strategically to ensure efficiency.

13. They Don’t Leave Tasks Half-Finished
    They follow the "Touch It Once" rule—when they start a task, they complete it before moving on to the next.

14. They Stick to a Daily Routine
    All 200 successful individuals in the study had a structured daily routine, often starting with hydration, exercise, and a healthy breakfast. Many also incorporate meditation, prayer, or reading into their mornings.

15. They Prioritize Nutrition and Rest
    Understanding that they can’t add more hours to the day, they optimize their energy by eating well and getting enough rest.

16. They Build Strong Teams
    Successful people surround themselves with team members who complement their skills. As leadership expert Ken Blanchard says, "None of us is as smart as all of us."

17. They Focus on Small, Consistent Progress
    Henry Ford advised breaking big tasks into smaller steps. Successful individuals take incremental steps daily, leading to major achievements over time.

18. They Maintain a Positive Outlook
    Studies show that doctors with a positive mindset diagnose illnesses 20% faster than those without one. Similarly, successful people stay optimistic, which helps them perform at their best.

19. They Track Their Progress Toward Goals
    Successful individuals set clear goals and regularly evaluate their progress, learning from mistakes along the way.

20. They Surround Themselves with Other Successful People
    Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said, "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." Successful individuals choose their inner circle wisely, surrounding themselves with like-minded, goal-oriented people.

21. They Inspire Others to Succeed
    Great leaders, like Steve Jobs, focused on helping others unleash their creativity. Successful people often serve as role models and sources of inspiration for those around them.

By adopting these habits, anyone can take steps toward a more successful and fulfilling life.