A number of years in the past, I turned obsessive about understanding what makes some folks extremely profitable whereas others—regardless of working laborious—wrestle to get forward.
I dove deep into psychology, studied the habits of excessive achievers, and examined completely different methods in my very own life.
What I discovered was surprisingly easy: success isn’t about luck or expertise. It’s about small, constant actions repeated over time.
Extremely profitable folks don’t simply depend on motivation or willpower. As a substitute, they’ve a handful of habits they stick to each single week—practices that preserve them centered, resilient, and all the time shifting ahead.
Because the founding father of Hack Spirit and a lifelong psychology fanatic, I’ve spent years exploring what really drives private {and professional} development.
On this article, I’ll share seven highly effective issues that profitable folks do at the very least as soon as per week—backed by psychology and confirmed to work.
Let’s dive in.
1) They mirror on their progress
One of many largest shifts I made in my very own life was setting apart time every week to mirror.
Extremely profitable folks don’t simply preserve pushing ahead with out wanting again. They take a step again, assess what’s working, and regulate the place wanted.
Psychology backs this up—self-reflection helps enhance decision-making, boosts motivation, and prevents burnout. It’s a option to keep intentional about your objectives as an alternative of simply going via the motions.
For me, this implies spending 10–quarter-hour each Sunday asking myself a couple of easy questions: What did I accomplish this week? What challenges did I face? What can I enhance shifting ahead?
It doesn’t need to be difficult. Seize a pocket book or simply assume via these questions in your head.
The hot button is to make reflection a behavior—as a result of success isn’t nearly working laborious, it’s about working sensible.
2) They prioritize deep work
For the longest time, I believed being productive meant juggling 100 issues without delay—checking emails, responding to messages, and continually switching between duties. However the fact? I used to be busy, not efficient.
Then I got here throughout the idea of deep work—the skill to focus with out distraction on a cognitively demanding job. It fully modified how I strategy my work.
I spotted that probably the most profitable folks don’t simply work laborious—they work with intense focus. So I made a change.
As a substitute of continually multitasking, I now block out time for deep, uninterrupted work periods. No telephone, no distractions—simply full focus on one significant job at a time.
It wasn’t simple at first, however the outcomes had been simple. My productiveness skyrocketed, and extra importantly, I felt a deeper sense of accomplishment in what I used to be doing.
If you wish to get forward, begin carving out time for deep work every week—it’s a game-changer.
3) They schedule time for actual relaxation
For years, I believed relaxation was one thing you probably did if you had time. However the issue was, I by no means had time. There was all the time one other job, one other challenge, one more reason to maintain pushing ahead.
It wasn’t till I hit full burnout that I spotted profitable folks don’t simply work laborious—additionally they relaxation with intention.
I used to assume scrolling via my telephone or watching Netflix counted as relaxation. However I nonetheless felt drained. Actual relaxation isn’t about zoning out—it’s about recharging in a approach that really restores your power.
For me, that meant setting apart at the very least one night per week to do one thing that genuinely relaxes me—going for a stroll, studying a ebook, and even simply sitting outdoors with no distractions.
And after I began doing this? My focus improved, my creativity soared, and I really bought extra achieved in much less time.
For those who’re continually working on empty, do this: decide sooner or later this week and schedule actual relaxation—one thing that makes you are feeling higher, not simply distracted.
You’ll be stunned at how a lot of a distinction it makes.
4) They apply gratitude
A number of years in the past, I used to be caught in a cycle of all the time chasing the following purpose. It doesn’t matter what I achieved, it by no means felt like sufficient.
I’d rejoice a win for possibly a day, then instantly transfer on to worrying concerning the subsequent factor.
Then I began practising gratitude—really taking time every week to mirror on what was already good in my life. And it modified all the things.
Seems, science backs this up. A research by Dr. Robert A. Emmons and Dr. Michael E. McCullough discovered that individuals who frequently wrote down issues they had been grateful for reported increased ranges of happiness and decrease ranges of stress in comparison with those that centered on day by day hassles.
Now, each Sunday night, I take 5 minutes to put in writing down three issues I’m grateful for that week.
Typically they’re huge issues—like hitting a significant milestone—however usually, they’re small moments: an amazing dialog with a buddy, an ideal cup of espresso, or simply feeling wholesome and robust.
For those who’re all the time chasing success however by no means feeling profitable, do this: as soon as per week, write down three stuff you’re grateful for.
It’s a easy behavior that shifts your mindset—and makes success really feel extra significant.
5) They join with individuals who encourage them
For a very long time, I attempted to do all the things alone. I believed success was about grinding in isolation—placing within the hours, staying centered, and figuring issues out on my own.
However over time, I spotted that probably the most profitable folks don’t simply work laborious—they encompass themselves with individuals who problem and encourage them.
There’s really a psychological purpose for this. Social psychologist Dr. David McClelland discovered that the folks we spend probably the most time with affect as much as 95% of our success or failure. That statistic hit me laborious.
So I made a change. As a substitute of simply preserving to myself, I began reaching out to mentors, becoming a member of teams the place folks had been doing issues I admired, and making an actual effort to construct relationships with those that pushed me to develop. And it made all of the distinction.
For those who’re feeling caught, check out the folks round you. Are they encouraging you to be higher?
If not, make it a purpose this week to attach with somebody who conjures up you—whether or not it’s an previous mentor, a brand new colleague, and even a web-based group of like-minded folks.
The appropriate atmosphere can change all the things.
6) They step outdoors their consolation zone
For years, I averted something that made me uncomfortable. I caught to what I knew, stayed in my routine, and advised myself I simply “wasn’t the type of particular person” who took huge dangers.
However the fact is, each main breakthrough I’ve had—whether or not in my profession, relationships, or private development—occurred after I pushed myself past what felt secure.
Psychologist Carol Dweck, recognized for her work on development mindset, as soon as stated: “In a development mindset, challenges are thrilling relatively than threatening”.
So relatively than considering, ‘Oh, I’m going to disclose my weaknesses,’ you say, ‘Wow, right here’s an opportunity to develop.’”
I began small—saying sure to alternatives that scared me just a bit. Talking up extra in conferences, reaching out to folks I admired, making an attempt issues I wasn’t certain I’d succeed at.
And each time I pushed previous my preliminary worry, I turned extra assured and succesful.
If you wish to develop, make it a behavior to step outdoors your consolation zone at the very least as soon as per week. It doesn’t need to be one thing large—only one small motion that challenges you.
Over time, these small steps add as much as one thing life-changing.
7) They take a break from being productive
This one may sound counterintuitive—in spite of everything, isn’t success all about working tougher and getting extra achieved?
That’s what I used to imagine. I packed my days with duties, considering that if I simply stored pushing, I’d finally attain my objectives sooner. However the consequence? Burnout, exhaustion, and paradoxically, much less productiveness.
It seems, extremely profitable folks perceive that actual progress isn’t about working continuous—it’s about realizing when to step away. Analysis reveals that taking breaks really improves focus, creativity, and problem-solving skill.
Now, I make it some extent to take at the very least one intentional break every week—whether or not it’s a couple of hours of doing completely nothing, a protracted stroll with no telephone, or perhaps a full day without work.
And each time I do, I come again sharper, extra motivated, and able to sort out huge challenges.
For those who really feel responsible about resting, do this: schedule an hour this week the place you deliberately do nothing associated to work or productiveness.
No emails, no self-improvement—simply one thing you genuinely take pleasure in. You is likely to be stunned at how a lot it really helps you in the long term.
Last ideas
Success isn’t about large, life-changing actions—it’s about small, constant habits that add up over time.
If you wish to apply what you’ve simply learn, don’t attempt to overhaul your total routine in a single day. As a substitute, decide one behavior from this listing and decide to doing it this week. Only one.
Perhaps it’s setting apart time for deep work, reaching out to somebody who conjures up you, or just taking an actual break. No matter it’s, begin small and construct from there.
As a result of ultimately, success isn’t about what you intend to do—it’s about what you really do, week after week.
