10 Little Habits That Will Make You A Successful Person.

Success comes from being a person of habits, good habits that add value to your life and make you happy. The list below are mostly about small everyday changes that will help you succeed as a person in business, academics and/or life outside of school. This is not a list of the 10 steps to success; nor is it a formula for guaranteed success or happiness (if those are concepts you cherish). Success means different things to different people and these little habits should help you figure out something just right for yourself.

1. Get up 15 minutes early each day to do some extra work for school.

This daily habit will help you in school and later in the real world. In addition to the time itself, having the discipline to wake up 15 minutes earlier means you are already a step ahead of others; it also helps build your work ethic that is key to success.

2. Learn how to talk with people and listen more than you speak.

A lot of people talk too much, they love hearing their own voice, even if they have nothing meaningful to say. A lot of people love to talk, but not as much as they should. Being able to talk with people is a learned skill that anyone can learn either from their parents or from life experience. It is not easy but you can do it: practice talking with others and listen to how they communicate.

3. Don't compare yourself to other people – concentrate on your own progress (not always an accomplishment).

You will never be like other people your age; you are better than what most people expect out of you. You are better than those other kids at your school and those other students at university because the expectations are different for each person. You are better than most people in the world because you have hope for the future, which is the best thing a person can have.

4. Learn to manage time.

Time management skills are learnt through experience and life lessons; some people have natural talent for it and some don't. This habit is so important to success in every aspect of life that we put it first on our list. Time management skills include establishing goals, prioritizing tasks, budgeting your time and time management tools such as calendars and lists to keep track of all your to-dos. There are apps out there that can help you with time management if you don't like using your brain too much...

5. Take care of your body by eating healthy and getting enough sleep.

Your body is a temple and it deserves the best food, water and sleep possible. Food can be expensive so be sure to eat things that are nutritious, healthy and filling so you don't have to eat as much of it. As for sleep, getting enough sleep will help you feel less lethargic when you wake up – plus it's super important for good health!

6. Set your priorities and stick to them: time management part II.

After you have managed to set some goals for yourself, now comes the hardest part: choosing what is important and what isn't in the grand scheme of things (where these tasks will take place over time). The key is to set a timeline and stick with it!

7. Develop a skill that will help you earn a living; make sure it is something you like.

You might not make as much money as others graduating the same year, but if you love what you do, then your money won't be an issue. The question is not how much will I earn? but rather will I enjoy doing this task? If so, then go for it! Even if the answer to both questions is no, keep in mind that life is about finding meaning for yourself and those around you – not just about earning lots of cash (since most of us don't live forever).

8. Learn how to apologize – the right way.

Learning how to apologize properly is an invaluable skill that comes with time; it will develop you as a person, build trust with others and make sure everyone has one less thing to worry about. If you are too busy or don't feel like apologising to someone then keep in mind that you are probably wrong in some way and should probably actually do it instead of thinking about how hard it is. The person who knows the value of "I'm Sorry" will be embraced by those around them for their kindness and grace.

9. Be a part of something bigger than yourself: whether it's your family, community, or country – find a group that fits your personality.

Some people are naturally inclined to being a part of groups; it is a necessary function for survival and everybody should be a part of something bigger than themselves. This includes the activities in your community and school but also the work you do in your job and country. If you live by yourself, don't feel like you are missing out on anything whatsoever.

10. Learn how to cook.

It doesn't matter if you love or hate cooking, if you manage to learn how do they can with some basic cooking skills and following some recipes (such as making sure every dish is cooked properly) then it will be nice to have that skill regardless. Not only are you saving money and time, but if you practice your skills often enough then you will enjoy them more.

Finally

Hopefully some of these little things should be habits for you already, the rest you can hopefully get into the habit of doing them. Like it or not, habits are a big part of your success in life; and even if you decide that you don't need them to help you out and go on to live a totally different lifestyle, then at least you got some experience with them and know how they affect your life.

Once again, this isn't a list of 10 steps to success – it's just a list of little things to help kickstart your journey.