Every once in a while, you encounter an article or book that really is a game changer for you. A while ago, I found an article entitled, “Habits of Successful People”. Unfortunately I didn’t jot down the source (I believe it was CNBC), as I actually wrote this out in my notebook to keep it more front and center. These 10 short pieces of advice have meant a lot to me during my career and I’d love to share them with you, and why each one means a lot to me!

1. Show Up

This point is talking about how it’s important to be present, be engaged, and to do this consistently. So often in our professional work we’re only halfway focused, we’re multi-tasking, or we’re on our phone scrolling. This really resonated with me as I not only saw it in my own work, but saw it in others. I’ve found that if I can focus 100% on something, I’m able to get it done a lot quicker and with more quality vs me half-attempting something. If I’m going to devote my time and energy to something, I’m gonna give it 100%.

2. Don’t slack off

We live in an era of constant distraction, with our email, phones, watch always demanding our attention. It’s far too easy to take a short break to check the news, the scores, the stock prices, or what’s happening on social media. We tell ourselves that we deserve a short break or that we’ll re-focus better once we’re back at it. I’ve personally found this not to be the case, and that my slacking off becomes a bit too common, to the point where I don’t get nearly as much done as I’d like to. I’ve learned that this is really a problem of confusing actual break time for wasting time. If you’re gonna take a break, do it, but do it after you’ve completed a task, or have been working for 50 minutes or so (I’ve heard the 50 work, 10 min break is a good cadence). As stated in point 1, I try to focus 100% both on my work and also on my breaks. It’s easier said than done but I find it super helpful in my productivity!

3. Have a positive attitude

It’s amazing to me how a positive attitude goes a long way. We can never control our circumstances, but we can control how we react to it. I strive to, as best I can, always have a positive attitude at work and find that is positively affects how I approach work, how I think and plan for work, and how I do my actual work. I’ve been trying to get better at doing some reflection throughout the day, and practicing gratitude as I find that helps better shape my positive attitude.

4. Don’t wait too long to make a decision

This is similar to something Colin Powell has said (whose rules for a successful life I also admire), that once you have about 80% of the information, it’s better to just go ahead and make a decision. I’ve found myself, peers and colleagues ending up waiting too long, waiting until they have all the information, which often times isn’t possible. In business you have to move quick, but also smart, and I’ve found that once I have all the info I think I can reasonably gather, I try to go ahead and press onwards! Sure you’ll make mistakes from time to time again, but indecision may prove costlier in the long run!

5. Smile

There are so many good quotes out there about the power of a smile: how it takes fewer muscles to smile vs. to frown, how it is contagious, how it’s something that doesn’t cost you anything to do but can really change your mood and outcomes, and how it can help change you and those around you. A smile goes a long way for so many reasons, and it’s something that I sometimes have to remind myself to do more of. It’s easier now that virtual meetings are so common; you’re always able to see yourself and your expression!

6. Focus on fewer things

This one has hit me hard over the last few years, partially due to the fact that Mrs. Money and I now have 2 children. I used to dream of doing all sorts of things, and accomplishing all sorts of feats in life. I was always juggling around several entrepreneurial ideas in my head, and my mind was definitely all over the place. Having 2 kids has made me realize that my time is limited, as is my ability to focus on too many things. I’ve realized that I’d rather do a few things well (be a Dad, be a good working professional, run this blog), rather than trying to halfway do many things. This has really helped me and by pausing dreaming/planning other things, identifying the things that I care most about and working hard on those instead.

7. Schedule and be organized

I’ve always been pretty organized, both in life and in work, and believe it’s one of the ways I’m able to be successful in life. We’re all juggling so much in our personal and professional lives, and being organized not only helps you in the day to day, but also in the big picture to make sure you’re making progress towards whatever goals you set. For me, this plays out in several ways. Firstly, I live and die by my calendar. Both in my personal life and professional life, I am always checking and updating it. I also structure my work day in such a way that I schedule in time to do my actual work, aside from just getting on conference calls. I block out lunch (which I don’t always stick too), and block off time when I need to be away. I also have gotten super into reminders on my phone (and watch) and find that I’m able to forget less and accomplish more. I also have a very organized Google Drive, where I keep (in separate drives of course) my work and personal stuff.

8. Be unique and don’t just blindly copy others

This is a difficult point for me to follow sometimes, as I often try to blend in and not rock the boat too much. I also have found the emulating what others that I admire are doing often tends to leave to positive results for myself. However, I have been working more and more on being unique not just to stand out and be unique, but to stand out and do my own thing when I see that I have the ability to be unique, i.e. I have a unique perspective or idea to share. I’m learning to be bolder and to speak up, and to take (smart) risks.

9. Focus on what you can control and ignore the rest

Like many of us (at least I assume!), I would, and still do let little, and big things stress me out. Whether it was traffic, or a call running over, or uncertainty at work, I would find myself spending too much time and energy worrying. I love this point as it reminds me that I’m not all-powerful, and that there are things outside of my control. So, why should I worry about things outside of my control? Although I’m not perfect at this, I’m trying to focus and worry more about the things in my life I do have control over, and try to worry less about the things that I don’t. “Oh well” has been entered into my vernacular and I try to remind myself that there’s no sense in spending energy on those things. Instead I’ll devote my focus and energy to what I can control and work on maximizing the outcomes there.

10. Take risks

The quote in the article was, “you either skydive, or you don’t”. I have in fact been skydiving, twice, so I definitely take risks. I would categorize myself as not necessarily being risk averse, but more of being a risk mitigator. ‘No risk, no reward’ as an old saying goes, and smart risks will sometimes pay off and help you get ahead in life. I’ve seen this in my own life when I’ve changed employers. I’ve been presented, or have found solid opportunities that have helped me grow professionally and financially. Mrs. Money and I also took what felt like a risk in 2014 when we bought our first house, and again in 2017 when we decided to keep that house instead of selling and became landlords. Figure out where it can make sense to take a risk, and don’t be afraid to do so! I don’t think I’d ever ‘bet the farm’, i.e bet it all but I am trying to be more comfortable in taking risks!

This was a great article that has had a positive impact on my life. It’s on the front page of my notebook that I use daily, and I try to revisit it from time to time. It helps me remember what’s important in life, be bold, be smart and to work smart!