I was a little taken aback when I was tagged me for this meme; I haven’t attained my ultimate success and probably never will (at least, not in this lifetime) because there are always new ideas to try, places to visit, people to meet, and things to learn. But all of that won’t stop me from enjoying the journey. After all, that’s what life is all about–the journey, right?
Also, this may catch some people off guard because these habits aren’t what one might expect. Here are some of the things I do each day, in no particular order, which I feel contribute to my successes:
I listen to music — especially classical — and I think about the skill of the artist and all that goes into the creation of each note. Imagine, for a moment, all that it takes to create such harmony, flow, and timing. Music, in and of itself, can be a huge inspiration for developing your own skills. Music also has the power to push you forward, even when you feel like lagging behind.
I keep a journal. Since I was a child, I’ve captured moments of my life in a journal. Happy moments, sad moments, my hopes and fears all laid out on paper. Even now, when I go back and read those captured moments, I realize just how far I’ve come in my life and it motivates me to keep pushing forward.
I appreciate what I have. It’s easy to take things for granted, especially if you’re not exactly where you want to be in life. But, even when you’re not where you want to be, there is still plenty for which to be grateful. I try to take time each day to reflect on what I’ve accomplished, what I have in my life, and just appreciate all of it.
I dance like no one’s watching. Dance, regardless of the style, is a release–energy surging through the body and spilling out into the world with each movement. Dancing teaches you to control and direct that energy — of course, I’m sure the same could be said of any physical activity.
I read books, lots of them. The written word has become a dear old friend whom I try to visit each day. Reading expands your imagination, knowledge, and wisdom by sharing in the experiences of another. In essence, reading gives us an opportunity to see the world through another’s eyes. Although I haven’t been able to get as much pleasure reading done as often as I’d like, I do read something each day.
There are far more things than what’s listed above to include planning, positive thinking, writing, drawing, enjoying nature, and maintaining an open mind. Each person, however, will need to discover her own combination of positive habits for success, because, like most everything, success is different for everyone.