4 Daily Habits for Personal and Professional Growth

I’ll bet that if you’re reading this, that means you’re ready to level up in your personal and professional life with daily habits. Am I right?

Listen, folks. The typical routine of wake up, go to work, come home, watch TV, go to bed, and do it over again the next day isn’t going to help you reach your big goals. If you want to be successful, you’ve got to build the habits of successful people into your day. This means being intentional with your time every day. No more coasting on autopilot.

This might sound like a big undertaking, but there are a few simple actions you can take daily to set yourself up for success—in your career, health and relationships.

The Top 4 Daily Habits to Set You Up for Success

Note: These daily habits of successful people aren’t shortcuts—they’ll require some discipline—but I promise doing these things will pay off. Whether you want to pursue a new career direction, take your current position to the next level, or simply grow as a person, practice these daily habits for success and you’ll see real results and opportunities coming your way.

#1: Create a Morning Routine

Get into the daily habit of making a morning routine for the week and the weekends. Starting your morning with a predictable and purposeful rhythm can really set up the rest of your day for success. To set a morning routine, ask yourself a few things:

What wake-up time makes you feel best?
Do you need exercise first thing in the morning, or do you prefer a slower start?
What’s your morning drink of choice? Water with lemon? Coffee? A smoothie?
Do you need quiet time to reflect, or do you jump right into the day’s to-do list?
How do responsibilities with kids or pets affect your morning? Do you have school drop-off duties? Do you need to take your dog for his morning walk?

#2: Arrange a Purpose for Your Day

What’s the most important task you need to accomplish today? Who do you need to be for your family or team? Do you want to work on having a good attitude by being friendly to the barista or your coworkers? Should you finally mail the paperwork that’s been sitting on your desk a little too long? Do you need to call your brother and confirm holiday plans? Whatever the thing is you need to do, make it a priority, and then get it done. Successful people prioritize what’s urgent and important.

#3: Move a Little Every Day

If you’re not a gym rat, that’s okay. But moving your body is super important for your overall wellness—and your daily success. Exercise can boost your mood, help you stay alert and energized, and even reduce stress (which is perfect when you’re preparing for a high-pressure meeting). Take a walk around the office building, use the stairs instead of the elevator, stretch during your lunch break, or hit the gym after your shift. Successful people know that a healthy body equals a healthy mind.

#4: Preserve Your Key Relationships

There are only so many relationships you can pour into on a daily basis. Your most important relationships might include your spouse and kids, and maybe the person you work with closest (like a manager or assistant). Regardless of which relationship it is you’re trying to maintain, here’s a tip: Part of building healthy bonds is practicing the art of listening—so lend an ear to the special people in your life.