There is no shortcut to success. You would say, ‘sure, but there are a few that get lucky.’

Yes, but these few were prepared for when ‘luck’ struck them. You, too, need to be prepared for your lucky break. To kick-start your preparation for success, I have condensed the life lessons of many successful people I have studied and have been following for years.

These Principles I Diligently Follow Every Day Too! Here We Go

1) Have goals.

Otherwise, you will be on a ship without a rudder!

2) Wake up early.

Have a comprehensive morning ritual.

3) Read for a few hours every day.

And this is not newspapers or fiction books, but rather non-fiction like self-help books, biographies of successful people, etc.

4) Exercise at least 15 minutes daily.

Ideally, performing HIIT (high-intensity interval training).

5) Start your day with a green smoothie.

You will feel rejuvenated.

6) Travel at least every 3 months.

A change of scenery is important to kick-start your creative juices.

7) Have role models.

Preferably in your industry. Read about them as much as you can and meet them if you can. You will surely learn many things from this experience.

8) Always plan the next day beforehand.

Preferably in the evening or before going to bed. What gets scheduled gets done.

9) Ensure that at least 50 percent of your food intake is raw and organic.

10) Eat less than what you think you require every day unless you are trying to build muscle mass.

11) Sleep no more than 7 to 9 hours at night.

More than this can result in laziness throughout the day, resulting in less productivity. Any less can cause you to be tired and irritable.

12) Breathe.

Most of us don’t know how to breathe. Deep breaths in short intervals throughout the day can be very beneficial. So take a deep breath now.

13) Find your passion.

There are 168 hours in a week. Most of us spend close to 50 to 60 hours at work. Engage yourself in work that you are passionate about; it’s literally one-third of your life.

14) Train your mind to think big.

In every facet of your life, one should think big.

15) Find time for pleasurable activities besides work (well, for me, my work is a pleasure. But I still need breaks too).

Watch a nice movie once in a while, take your significant other for a lovely lunch on a nice Sunday afternoon, or plan a fabulous weekend trip in the hills for a change of scenery.

16) Experience the power of power naps.

I always divide my work and my day into 2.5 hours slots. I work without any interruption for 2 to 2.5 hours and then take a break for no more than 20 mins or so. Use this break time to take a nap or listen to music. No emails or Facebook at that time, as it doesn’t help.

17) Don’t have anxiety over outcomes.

This does not imply that you should not care about your goals or targets. Have targets, but don’t fret over them. Instead, focus on your efforts.

Maintain a diary detailing the efforts you put into achieving your goals. Then, after a few months, even if you don’t exactly achieve your goal, you will at least feel proud of the efforts you have put in.

Everything happens for a reason; trust Him. When you have a bad phase, simply keep moving forward, even if you take small steps. This time too, will pass, and a good time will come. That’s what life is all about. Nothing is permanent.

18) Don’t take life too seriously.

It’s all just a game. Enjoy it. Enjoy the challenges, the opportunities, and the struggle. Have fun, and be optimistic and cheerful in every situation that life throws at you.

19) Give back.

If you don’t have a cause, find one. There is no better feeling than to donate unconditionally your time, effort or money and to help people who are less privileged than you.

The greatest joy in my life was when I organized a blood donation camp outside my health club. Simply thinking about how this blood camp must have saved hundreds of lives is soul gratifying and very powerful. Start small, think big. Inspire

20) Be humble.

Don’t have an ego. It hampers your learning process.

-And finally, this last point is reserved for the simple things in life!

21) The materialistic things in your life make your success sweeter, but the happiness they give is transitory.

When you finally buy the car of your dreams, you enjoy it for a few days or a couple of weeks, and very soon, you start to desire a bigger and better one! Instead, savor life’s simple pleasures, like soaking in the sun, having an amazing cup of tea with your sweetheart, or enjoying your child’s smile ☺

In Conclusion

I want to leave you with a powerful quote that should sum up your attitude about life- ‘Life is a journey, and not a destination.’ So make wise use of the time you have here and now.

What do you think about these success principles? Have anything you like to add? Let me know in the comments below.