Success means different things to different people, but it usually entails more than just a stroke of luck. Here are the top ten habits successful people employ to stay that way. In this article, we’ll share the "keys to success" all business owners should develop in 2022 to grow their business.

In This Article:

• Rise Early
• Exercise & Move
• Take Care of Yourself
• Get Organized
• Create Good Vibes and Positive Attitudes
• Network Often
• Practice Thriftiness
• Read
• Donate or Volunteer
• Relax Regularly

Rise Early

If you’re already a member of the Early Risers Club, you’re in good company. Noteworthy business people like CEOs Sir Richard Branson and Tim Cook of Virgin and Apple, Inc. respectively, are avowed “dawn patrollers” who regularly rise before the roosters.

Celebrities Oprah Winfrey and Michelle Obama attribute their successes to those extra hours of quiet time they devote to their own endeavors.

Why? Winning athletes know all about rising early. Olympic swimmer and Bronze Medalist Caroline Burckle wakes up without an alarm every day at 5:30am to get her work out in.

“I’ve had this routine my entire life. I try to have two days a week to ‘sleep in’ — until 6:30 or 7am." – Olympic Medalist Caroline Burckle

Rise and shine, and carpe diem (Latin for “Don’t be a slacker”).

Exercise & Move

Aside from getting up early in the morning, successful people practice healthy daily rituals that keep them on track, not only with their business goals, but by aligning their intentions as well.

Why? Daily practices of exercise, meditation, Yoga, or even the daily walk with your dog are great ways to keep your body and mind healthy for optimal performance throughout the day.

Get in the habit of moving your body, every day — the  more you do it, the more it becomes a part of your ongoing daily routine. "Just do it."

Take Care of Yourself

The “just do it” philosophy extends to maintaining a healthy diet along with good personal hygiene as well.

"Eat real food, not too much, mostly plants." – Michael Pollan, author, The Omnivore's Dilemma

Your personal self care regimen may be completely indulgent, while others stick to the basics. When asked what one daily habit has positively impacted his life, Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, quipped “Showering.”

Why? All jokes aside, your health and well-being are priceless and irreplaceable — ask someone who’s been unwell. You only get one body, so best to take good care of it. The road to success is long, and winding.

Get Organized

If you’re still plopping down at your desk on Monday morning with only a vague idea of what you need to accomplish for the day (or week), you’re already behind the curve. Successful folks make a habit of prioritizing tasks the night before their next day’s work for maximum efficiency.

Experts recommend mapping out a weekly plan of tasks performed on regular days, and times — and remember to "eat the frog" first.

Why? If your workspace is a "hot mess" you could also be wasting valuable time looking for your tools, telephone, outstanding tasks, or important paperwork lost in the clutter. Make a habit of clearing your desk when you leave work for the day, even if that desk is in your own home.

People like the profanely organized Marie Kondo, built her minimalist embracing empire on the simple tenets of organizing. She found a hungry audience looking for guidance on getting rid of a whole lot of stuff and opening space for “joy sparked” creativity.

Create Good Vibes and Positive Attitudes

Wake up and smell the roses (or coffee) or whatever puts you in a positive place to face the world. Dale Carnegie’s best selling book “How to Win Friends and Influence People” describes how cultivating a positive attitude begins with genuine curiosity.

Be the light (and inspiration)! Remember people’s names, smile (or smize), listen, show interest in their interests, and make others feel important and valued.

Why? So simple, yet, profoundly effective. A vital component of any successful entrepreneur’s toolbox is learning how to turn acquaintances into allies.

Network Often

Zoom is the new normal for business meetings and Facetime is the new norm for engaging with friends. Our digital devices have been life lines, and lifesavers during these lockdowns.

Yet, while many of us "burrowed in" during these physical absences, the successful among us recognized the value in maintaining personal and professional relationships — by any digital means necessary.

"79% of successful entrepreneurs network five or more hours every month."– Thomas Corley, Rich Habits Blog

Why? Experts agree that the most "connected" people are usually the most successful too. Investing in your relationships — professional and personal — can pay back in unseen dividends throughout your career. Seek opportunities to network, engage, and collaborate with your colleagues, and friends — to keep connected and enthused.

Practice Thriftiness

Thriftiness and penny-pinching are two different things. The former is an awareness of your resources, the latter is Ebenezer Scrooge.

Frugality attunes you to not overspending and to evaluate the value of each expenditure.

Why? Learning thriftiness means avoiding wasteful or excessive spending, resulting in financial efficiency in your personal and professional roles.

Read Daily

There are so many known unknowns, the only way to know them is to read. Successful people schedule reading time into their days. Whether it be business literature or a guilty pleasure romance novel, get in the habit of reading every day.

Why? Reading enriches, entertains, and grows your vocabulary. It also helps enliven the imagination and can help you overcome big issues you're facing – especially if you read literature germane to your industry.

Donate or Volunteer

Think Bill and Melinda Gates (before the breakup), whose charitable foundation has given away over $50B since its inception. Akron-based LeBron James Family Foundation provides educational opportunities for area students, with free college for those who complete their high school studies.

“To those who have been given much, much is expected.”

Yes, these folks are wealthy, so, maybe it’s easier for them to dig deep. However, you don’t have to be a member of the 1% to practice generosity.

Why? 85% of consumers say they have a more positive image of a product or company when it supports a charity they care about.

If you can't donate, consider volunteering your time (an incredibly valuable asset) at a local organization who could use your help. There’s to too many to list, but here’s where you can start:

• Animal shelters
• Community centers
• Childcare and eldercare facilities
• Food banks and homeless shelters
• Libraries
• Parks & Recreation department
• Schools

Relax

All work and no play make Jack and Jill very dull people. Remember to step away from the desk and enjoy a weekend, eat dinner with family or friends, go for a long bike ride, or just lay in a hammock and read.

Work life balance is the glue that keeps you in top physical and mental form. Whatever helps unwind your mind from the daily grind is a good thing.

How Else Can Skip Help? Whether you need assistance navigating funding for your small business — like SBA loans, grants, or other financing options, or guidance with government-related services — like TSA PreCheck or DMV appointments, we’re ready to help. Become a member and skip the red tape.