For the longest time, I just couldn’t figure out how to achieve success and wealth.
You know the drill:
– Financial stability
– Professional accomplishment
– Personal growth
– Lasting happiness.
And the ability to enjoy life without the constant worry of “what’s next?”.
My rock-bottom moment came in my late 20s. I was still chasing these elusive goals.
I was Lachlan Brown, the founder of Hack Spirit, with a passion for psychology, but stuck in a cycle of dead-end jobs and financial insecurity. My relationships were strained, and my peace of mind was non-existent.
During this period, I was battling constant stress, sleepless nights, and a relentless sense of failure.
I felt like an ordinary Joe stuck in a rut, and it was incredibly frustrating.
Then came my eureka moment: I stumbled upon these 7 psychological habits common among people who found wealth and success later in life.
In this article, I’m going to share these habits with you. Hopefully, they can offer some guidance and inspiration.
Let’s dive right in.
1. Embrace lifelong learning
The first habit that really shook up my world was the philosophy of lifelong learning.
It’s a simple idea, but for a guy who thought he knew it all, it was a game-changer.
Lifelong learning is the continual pursuit of knowledge and understanding. Whether it’s reading books, attending seminars, or simply asking questions, it’s about always seeking to learn and grow.
Psychology reveals that those who become wealthy and successful later in life often embody this mindset. They’re never “done” learning. They continually seek out new information and skills, and they’re not afraid to step out of their comfort zone in order to grow.
This habit helped me shift from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset. Instead of seeing challenges as roadblocks, I started seeing them as opportunities to learn and improve.
If you’re feeling stuck in your current situation, try adopting this habit. Start small: read a book on a topic you know little about, or sign up for a class in something you’ve always wanted to learn.
Learning doesn’t have to stop after school ends. In fact, it’s often the lessons we learn outside the classroom that have the most profound impact on our lives.
2. Cultivate resilience
The second habit that had a significant impact on my path to success was the development of resilience.
In psychology, resilience is the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. It’s about bouncing back from setbacks and not allowing them to deter you from your goals.
I learned this the hard way after a particularly tough financial setback. I’d invested in a business venture that, unfortunately, didn’t pan out as I’d hoped. I was left with a significant loss and a bruised ego.
But during this time, I stumbled upon a quote from the renowned psychologist Albert Ellis: “The art of love is largely the art of persistence.”
While Ellis was probably speaking about romantic love, I interpreted it in terms of passion and dedication towards my goals. If I loved my dream enough, I needed to persist, to keep going even when things got tough.
This mindset transformed my attitude towards failure. Instead of viewing that business setback as a dead end, I saw it as a lesson. It was a hard knock but an invaluable learning opportunity.
This resilience has helped me weather many storms since then. If you’re facing difficulties in your journey to success, remember Ellis’ words. Persist. Bounce back. Keep going. Your resilience could be your most potent weapon on the path to success.
3. Foster a positive attitude
Another habit that significantly shifted my trajectory was fostering a positive attitude.
Psychology consistently underscores the power of positivity in achieving success. A positive mindset can boost motivation, enhance problem-solving skills, and even improve health.
But for me, adopting this habit wasn’t easy. I was naturally inclined to dwell on the negatives and anticipate the worst-case scenarios.
However, during a particularly low point in my life, I decided to give positivity a shot. I started small, by expressing gratitude for one thing each day. Some days it was as simple as being thankful for a good cup of coffee, other days it was gratitude for having a roof over my head.
Slowly, this habit started to shift my perspective. I began to see the glass as half full rather than half empty. The challenges remained, but my approach towards them changed dramatically.
I found that with a positive attitude, I was better equipped to handle setbacks and more open to opportunities that came my way.
4. Prioritize health and wellness
The fourth habit that played a crucial role in my journey towards success was prioritizing my health and wellness.
It’s easy to overlook the connection between physical well-being and professional success, but the two are closely interlinked. When we’re physically healthy, we’re better able to handle stress, stay focused, and maintain the energy levels necessary to pursue our goals.
In my case, I was often tempted to sacrifice sleep, skip meals or forego exercise in the name of productivity. But I soon realized this approach was counterproductive. I was constantly tired, unfocused, and on the brink of burnout.
Then I came across a study which found that employees who regularly exercised were more productive at work than those who didn’t.
This study was a wake-up call for me. I began to make time for regular exercise, proper nutrition, and adequate sleep. Not only did my health improve, but my productivity soared.
5. Value relationships
The fifth habit that proved instrumental in my journey to success was valuing relationships.
Success isn’t just about financial wealth or professional accomplishments. It’s also about the bonds we form and the people we share our journey with.
In my quest for success, I often found myself prioritizing work over relationships. I was missing out on important family gatherings, not spending enough time with friends, and generally neglecting my personal life.
But then I realized that success feels hollow without loved ones to share it with. What’s the point of achieving all your goals if you have nobody to celebrate with?
So I made a conscious effort to invest in my relationships. I started spending more quality time with family and friends, and even made an effort to network more in my professional life.
To my surprise, not only did this lead to a more fulfilling personal life, but it also benefited my career. I found new opportunities through networking and received immense support from loved ones.
If you’re caught up in the hustle and forgetting about your relationships, take a step back and reassess your priorities. Remember, success is sweeter when shared.
6. Practice self-discipline
The sixth habit that marked a significant turning point for me was practicing self-discipline.
Self-discipline is all about control and consistency. It’s about doing what needs to be done, even when you don’t feel like it. It’s about staying focused on your goals and not letting distractions derail you.
For me, this was a tough one. I loved the idea of freedom and spontaneity, and the thought of rigid discipline felt confining.
But then I came across a quote from the renowned psychologist Roy F. Baumeister: “Self-control is the key to a successful life. Self-discipline is the key to freedom.”
This quote hit me hard. I realized I had misunderstood self-discipline. It wasn’t about restriction; it was about freedom – the freedom to pursue your goals without falling prey to distractions or momentary whims.
I began by setting small, achievable goals and sticking to them consistently. Over time, this practice extended to larger goals and significantly impacted my journey towards success.
If you’re struggling with consistency or easily distracted, try practicing self-discipline. Start small, set achievable goals, and stick to them. You’ll be surprised at how this simple practice can transform your path to success.
7. Embrace failure
The seventh and perhaps most counterintuitive habit that shaped my journey to success was embracing failure.
Yes, you read that right. Embracing failure, not avoiding it.
Most of us are conditioned to fear failure. We see it as a sign of weakness or inadequacy. But in reality, failure can be one of our greatest teachers.
I learned this during a particularly difficult period in my professional life when a project I’d poured my heart and soul into failed spectacularly. Initially, I was devastated. I felt like a complete failure.
But then, I realized that this “failure” had taught me more than any of my previous “successes”. It forced me to reassess my strategies, identify my mistakes, and learn from them.
From then on, instead of avoiding failure, I began to embrace it. I saw each failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. This shift in perspective was instrumental in fueling my success later in life.
So here’s a practical step for you: The next time you face a setback or “failure”, instead of feeling down or giving up, ask yourself: “What can I learn from this?” Turn your failures into lessons, and you’ll be one step closer to success.
