If you read the business press, eventually you will come across an article about the habits of CEO’s, successful startup founders, or just successful people generally. There’s almost always a number involved, usually “7,” because of Stephen Covey’s book The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.
If you read these, you’ll find you need to awake at some ridiculous hour, exercise daily, read a ton of periodicals, books, blogs, and other media. You also might find things like just sitting at a desk for an hour or more thinking, or staying up at weird hours of the night in spite of waking up at the aforementioned ridiculous hours.
There is one habit that trumps all others. I’ve been practicing it my entire life. It has brought me happiness and a measure of financial success. You too can find similar happiness and success by following this one habit. Fortunately for you, I don’t charge a fee for you to discover it. I don’t offer classes, consulting, or one-on-one coaching to teach you to do it. Are you ready?
There is one habit that trumps all others. I don't charge to discover it. I don't offer classes, consulting, or one-on-one coaching to teach it. Are you ready? Figure out what works for you and do that. Click To Tweet1. Figure out what works for you and do that.
Me.
Don’t get me wrong, there’s lots of good in reading and exercising and stopping to think about your life or your business. I’m an early riser and regular gym-goer, but I don’t prescribe that life for everyone. Getting up early is a means to an end. I don’t like sitting in traffic, and there’s less of it early in the morning. I don’t like crowded gyms, and they’re less crowded at 6:30AM than they are at 5:00PM or later.
But I don’t stay up late if I’m getting up early. I don’t read as much as I want to. My current gig doesn’t allow for me to sit quietly thinking, though I value that activity. I do what works for my life.
I don’t know your life. Why should I prescribe my habits to you for success?