There’s a distinct difference between people who are just getting by in life and those who are truly thriving. It all comes down to habits.
Successful, happy people who keep moving forward in life aren’t just lucky; they’ve developed habits that propel them towards their goals.
As Lachlan Brown, founder of Hack Spirit and a mindfulness expert, I’ve spent years studying these habits and how they influence personal growth and happiness.
In this article, I want to share with you the 8 habits of joyous and successful people who never stop moving forward. Adopting these habits won’t just help you get by; they’ll help you thrive.
1) Mindful living
One key habit that sets the happy and successful apart is living mindfully.
Living mindfully isn’t just about meditation or yoga, although those can certainly be part of it. It’s about being present in every moment, fully engaged with what’s happening around you and within you.
As a mindfulness expert, I’ve seen how transformative this practice can be. When you’re mindful, you’re not just going through the motions of life. You’re actively participating, making conscious choices instead of defaulting to autopilot.
Successful people understand this. They know that by being mindful, they can tap into a deeper level of understanding and insight, not just about themselves, but about the world around them.
They use this understanding to make decisions that align with their goals and values, propelling them forward in life.
And the best part? Anyone can cultivate mindfulness with practice. So why not start today? It’s a habit that could change your life.
2) Embracing impermanence
Another habit that successful, happy people often embody is the acceptance of impermanence. This is a core concept in Buddhism and something I’ve learned to appreciate in my own journey.
Impermanence is the idea that everything changes and nothing lasts forever – not the good times, nor the bad. Understanding this helps us appreciate the here and now, and also prepares us for inevitable changes in life.
As Thich Nhat Hanh, a renowned Buddhist Zen Master, once said, “Thanks to impermanence, everything is possible.” This quote beautifully sums up this concept.
Successful people don’t resist change; they embrace it. They understand that change brings opportunities for growth, learning, and new experiences. By accepting impermanence, they’re able to adapt and move forward no matter what life throws their way.
Embracing impermanence doesn’t mean we should be indifferent or passive. Instead, it encourages us to be proactive and make the most of each moment. After all, who knows what tomorrow will bring?
3) Practicing compassion
The practice of compassion is a fundamental tenet in Buddhism and has been found to be a common trait among successful, happy individuals.
Compassion isn’t just about being kind to others; it’s also about being kind to ourselves. We often hold ourselves to impossible standards, criticizing our every mistake. This relentless self-criticism is destructive and does nothing to help us move forward.
Buddhist wisdom teaches us to practice self-compassion, to treat ourselves with the same kindness we would extend to a friend. This doesn’t mean ignoring our flaws or refusing to take responsibility for our actions. Instead, it’s about acknowledging our humanity and accepting that mistakes are part of the journey.
Success often comes from failure, and happiness from understanding that it’s okay not to be perfect. By practicing compassion – both for ourselves and others – we can navigate life’s ups and downs with grace, resilience, and a positive mindset.
4) Regular reflection
Mindfulness isn’t just about being present in the moment, it also involves regular self-reflection. Successful, happy people make a habit of taking time to reflect on their experiences, feelings, and thoughts.
Reflection helps us gain insight into our behaviors and reactions. It allows us to understand why we do what we do and gives us the opportunity to make conscious changes.
It’s not always easy to face our own truths. It can be uncomfortable to confront our weaknesses or acknowledge areas where we’ve gone wrong. But it’s through this raw and honest introspection that we grow.
Through mindful reflection, we can identify patterns of thought or behavior that are holding us back and take steps to overcome them. We learn to let go of what doesn’t serve us and cultivate what does.
This habit of reflection isn’t about dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. It’s about understanding ourselves better so we can live more fully in the present and continue moving forward in life.
5) Living with maximum impact and minimum ego
This habit is one that’s very close to my heart and a key principle I discuss in my book, Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego.
Successful, happy people understand the importance of minimizing their ego. An inflated ego can lead to arrogance, selfishness, and a lack of empathy – all traits that can hinder personal growth and happiness.
On the flip side, living with maximum impact means making a positive difference in the world. It’s about contributing to the well-being of others and leaving a positive legacy.
Reducing our ego doesn’t mean we diminish our self-worth. Instead, it’s about acknowledging that we’re part of something larger than ourselves.
By living with maximum impact and minimum ego, we can foster genuine connections with others, make meaningful contributions to society, and find lasting happiness and fulfillment.
This habit might not be easy to develop, but I assure you, it’s worth the effort. For more insights on how to cultivate this habit, I invite you to check out my book. It’s packed with practical tips and strategies drawn from Buddhist teachings that can help you live a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
6) Cultivating gratitude
Gratitude is a powerful habit that can significantly improve our happiness and overall wellbeing. It’s a concept deeply rooted in both mindfulness and Buddhism.
Successful, happy people understand the transformative power of gratitude. They know that no matter how challenging life can be, there’s always something to be grateful for.
Gratitude isn’t just about appreciating the good things in life. It’s also about finding value in our struggles and difficulties. It’s seeing the lessons in our failures and the opportunities in our challenges.
But let’s be real, practicing gratitude isn’t always easy, especially when we’re going through tough times. It can feel almost impossible to be grateful when everything seems to be going wrong.
However, it’s precisely in these moments that gratitude can be most impactful. It shifts our focus from the negative to the positive, helping us to see that even in darkness, there are sparks of light.
Cultivating a habit of gratitude can transform not just our perspective of life but also our relationship with ourselves and others. It’s a simple practice with profound effects, and it’s definitely worth incorporating into our daily routine.
7) Embracing silence
In our busy, fast-paced world, silence is a rare commodity. Yet, it’s in the quiet moments that we often find our deepest insights and greatest peace.
Successful, happy people understand the value of silence. They make time for quiet reflection, for mindfulness, for just being.
Embracing silence doesn’t necessarily mean being alone or isolating oneself. It’s about creating space for inner peace amidst the chaos of life. It’s about listening to our inner voice and connecting with our true selves.
The renowned mindfulness expert, Jon Kabat-Zinn, once said, “Silence is the essence of us all.” This quote beautifully encapsulates the importance of silence in our journey towards happiness and success.
However, embracing silence can be challenging in our noise-filled world. It requires courage to confront our thoughts and feelings without distractions. But the rewards are immense: clarity, peace, and a deeper understanding of ourselves.
Dare to embrace silence. It might just be the most enlightening conversation you’ll ever have.
8) Taking mindful breaks
Now, this might sound counterintuitive. After all, aren’t successful people supposed to be always on the go, hustling and grinding towards their goals?
Well, not necessarily.
In my study of mindfulness and observation of successful, happy people, I’ve found that they understand the importance of taking mindful breaks.
Taking breaks isn’t about being lazy or procrastinating. It’s about giving our minds and bodies the rest they need to function optimally. It’s about stepping back to gain a fresh perspective, to recharge, and to avoid burnout.
These aren’t just any breaks though. They’re mindful breaks – times when we consciously disengage from our work and immerse ourselves in restful activities that rejuvenate us.
Be it a 15-minute walk in nature, a short meditation session, or simply sitting quietly with a cup of tea, these mindful breaks can significantly boost our productivity, creativity, and overall wellbeing.
So remember, sometimes, the best way to move forward is to pause and take a mindful break.
Conclusion
In conclusion, success and happiness aren’t about luck or external circumstances. They’re largely about the habits we cultivate in our daily lives.
From living mindfully to embracing impermanence, practicing compassion, reflecting regularly, living with minimum ego and maximum impact, cultivating gratitude, embracing silence, and taking mindful breaks – these habits can guide you on your path to a fulfilling life.
Remember, it’s not about perfection but progress. Every small step you take towards cultivating these habits brings you closer to becoming the best version of yourself.
For more insights on how to live with maximum impact and minimum ego, I invite you to check out my book Hidden Secrets of Buddhism: How To Live With Maximum Impact and Minimum Ego. It offers practical strategies drawn from Buddhist teachings that can help you lead a more meaningful and fulfilling life.
Here’s to your success and happiness!
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