Top 10 Powerful Habits of Successful People for 2023

In The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, author Stephen Covey says, “Sow a thought, reap an action; sow an action, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a character; sow a character, reap a destiny.”

This idea is echoed in bestselling author and business leader John C. Maxwell’s Intentional Living when he says, “Nobody finishes well by accident” and that “an intentional life embraces only the things that will add to the mission of significance.” 

Even Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson once tweeted: “Success isn’t always about ‘greatness.’ It’s about consistency. Consistent hard work gains success. Greatness will come . . .”

While success can come in different ways, the message of achieving it is often the same: You have to set intentions and make an effort. 

Continue reading to learn the top 10 daily habits of successful people and how to integrate them into your day-to-day routine. 

How Is Success Defined?

“Success is liking yourself, liking what you do, and liking how you do it.”

maya angelou

Success is a state of achieving desired goals through careful effort, intention, and growth. Ultimately, success is determined by your level of subjective well-being—your perceived satisfaction in life. When one’s subjective well-being is high, meaning you’re satisfied with your life, you’ll naturally invest more energy, effort, and intention toward achievements. Symbols of success, such as wealth and status, can manifest as a result. 

It’s important to remember that success is not defined by merely the pursuit of wealth, fame, material possessions, and social status. As Anne Sweeney, the former co-chair of Disney Media, once said, “Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to live.”

Top 10 Things Successful People Do

1. They’re Constantly Reading

In Change Your Habits, Change Your Life, author Tom Corley shares that 88% of wealthy people devote at least 30 minutes daily to self-improvement reading. Even a historical figure like Albert Einstein was an avid reader and started a book club at Olympia Academy. This shows that enriching your mind with new tools for growth is a surefire way to start embodying the habits of successful people.

Tips for reading more:

• Feel free to read multiple books at once.
• Identify your reading style: Do you prefer to read or listen?
• Explore different topics and genres to find books you enjoy.
• Identify the time of day you’re most likely to read.
• Lean on programs like Audible, Apple Books, or Kindle Unlimited for convenient digital reading.

For more inspiration, check out 10 of the Top Leadership Books That Inspired Modern Leaders.

2. They Make Time for Personal Pursuits Before Work

By 8:30 a.m. each day, Oprah Winfrey has brushed her teeth, taken her dogs out, made espresso, and read inspirational mantras before preparing for her morning meditation. According to Finty, Winfrey then works out for an hour with some cardio or low-impact strength training and begins her work after lunch. 

While it may seem counterintuitive, having a morning routine before work that allows for personal pursuits can significantly benefit overall productivity. For example, data by Thrive MyWay shows that 92% of highly effective people have a solid morning routine. 

How to prioritize personal pursuits each morning:

• Avoid checking or using your cell phone for the first hour of every day.
• Prepare your mindset for the day by making your bed right away.
• Create a habit by stacking any existing ones to set a new routine.
• Practice time management by spending at least 15 minutes organizing daily priorities.

3. They Spend Focused Time Each Day Reflecting 

Peter Drucker, the famous author and business consultant, once said, “Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.”

A study funded by the National Science Foundation found that journaling about one’s thoughts and feelings increases mental performance. Journaling isn’t the only method one can use to gain clarity on vision, of course, but it demonstrates that spending time in focused self-reflection allows for more meaningful thought connections. Many successful people, like Richard Branson, J.K. Rowling, and Tim Ferriss are said to spend time in daily meditation and self-reflection.

Tips for practicing daily reflection:

• Make a vision board that you can refer to each morning. 
• Set 10–15 minutes aside for visualization meditation.
• Shop wellness journals to improve focus and confidence. 
• Set SMART goals and review them each morning as you plan your day.
• Use mental health apps for guided sessions on reflection and mindfulness.

4. They Have Multiple Goals and Sources of Income

In a commentary article for CNBC, Rich Habits author Tom Corley shares that 65% of the 233 wealthy individuals surveyed had at least three income streams. Further, 45% had four income streams, and 29% had five or more. Rather than putting all their “eggs in one basket,” successful people know to plant many seeds. That way, when one income stream falters or slows, another can be nurtured or prioritized.

Additional income sources used by successful people:

• Earned income from a side hustle.
• Dividend income from stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs.
• Rental income from home, apartment, and commercial real estate properties.
• Royalties from intellectual property, such as copyrights, trademarks, and inventions.
• Income from a business they’ve started or run (like a franchise, blog, or service).

5. They Prioritize Daily Exercise

The role of daily exercise can’t be understated in cultivating success in life. Those with successful daily habits understand that exercise breeds undeniable benefits like a sense of accomplishment, rejuvenation, and improved mental performance. For this reason, even those who have already achieved great success—like billionaire Richard Branson—never compromise on their daily workout.

“Exercise leads to the secretion of neurotransmitters that promote mental clarity and an improved attention span,” shares Jasmin Theard, an exercise physiologist, in an interview with Piedmont Healthcare. 

Tips for starting a daily exercise routine:

• Do you like to run? Swim? Go biking? Reflect on what you would enjoy doing.
• The morning is best for many, but identify a time you can commit to each day.
• Recognize that all new habits take time; practice self-compassion and set realistic goals.
• Lean on fitness apps, like MyFitnessPal, ClassPass, and Apple Fitness+, to discover local classes and virtual workouts.

6. They Organize Their Time and Effort

Daily planners, organizers, checklists, and task sheets—these are the weapons of highly effective people. Even further, 63% of successful people set a nightly alarm, and 44% prepare for their day the night before, according to data from ThriveMyWay.

When it comes to the habits of highly successful people, it’s all about time management. For instance, it’s a common habit for many to be on their cell phone first thing in the morning, but successful people use this time to harness their leadership and management skills, set clear priorities, and avoid distractions.

Strategies for getting organized:

• Employ time-blocking for dedicated and scheduled tasks.
• Identify both personal and professional priorities. 
• Tackle more challenging or higher-priority tasks first.
• Create an environment with little or no opportunities for interruptions.

7. They Surround Themselves With Other Successful People

When you associate with like-minded people, you absorb their ideas and energy, and they similarly absorb yours, fostering an interconnected exchange of accountability, ideas, and motivation. As Tony Robbins says, “The only thing that will change your life, change your business, change your relationship, is that you must raise your standards.” If you have people in your life who are holding you down or holding you back, replace them with healthier connections.

Tips for surrounding yourself with other successful people:

• Identify people who will complement your goals.
• Let go of any relationships that make you feel drained or unconfident.
• Join a professional group, mentorship program, or mastermind group.
• Attend a professional workshop or conference.

8. They Attract Success by Serving Others

Contrary to popular belief, many successful people are philanthropists. Dolly Parton, for example, opened Dollywood in 1985 to generate economic opportunity for her county. Similarly, Lebron James established the Lebron James Family Foundation to help at-risk youth in his hometown. Another example is Spanx founder Sara Blakely, who founded the Spanx Foundation to empower women.

Successful people believe that only by serving others can positivity continue returning to them. This mindset is called the law of attraction—the belief that positivity out is positivity back in. Author Jack Canfield explains it this way: “The law of attraction states that whatever you focus on, think about, read about, and talk about intensely, you’re going to attract more of into your life.”

Ways to attract success through serving:

• Donate your time or resources to a business, charity, or person in need.
• Schedule time during the day to check in on loved ones, colleagues, and friends.
• Explore local organizations or initiatives where you can volunteer your time or skills.
• Host a fundraising event, clothing drive, or environmental cleanup for your community.

To learn how some of the best businesses give back, read Corporate Philanthropy: Businesses That Get It Right. 

9. They Take Care of Themselves

For successful people, it’s not just about how well they plan, who they know, or what they prioritize—it’s also about how well they take care of themselves. To keep their energy high, successful people understand the importance of eating well, getting enough rest, and maintaining healthy lifestyles. 

In an article for Time, Arianna Huffington shares, “After many years of burning the candle at both ends, these days, 95% of the time, I get eight hours of sleep at night. Now, instead of waking up to the sense that I have to trudge through activities, I wake up feeling joyful about the day’s possibilities.”

Self-care tips for maximizing your potential:

• Take measures to develop good sleep hygiene habits.
• Eat well and regard food as nourishment for your body and mind.
• Avoid people or behaviors that promote unhealthy choices. 
• Make regular appointments with your physician and listen to your body.

10. They Practice Positivity, Meditation, and Gratitude

One of the final major habits of successful people is that they practice positive thinking and gratitude. “I meditate every day . . . I do it in the mornings and I do it for about 10–15 minutes, and I think it’s important because it sets me up for the rest of the day,” shares the late Kobe Bryant. Science backs this practice up, too. A 2021 psychological study found a strong correlation between practicing gratitude and having increased happiness levels. 

Finding time to look inward, reflect on the things you’re grateful for, and develop a positive mindset is critical for cultivating success. As Napoleon Hill said, “A positive mind finds a way it can be done; a negative mind looks for all the ways it can’t be done.” Essentially, if you practice positivity, you’ll see more opportunities than challenges. 

Tips for practicing positivity and gratitude:

• Make a gratitude list of the daily things you’re grateful for each night.
• Read The Secret by Rhonda Byrne.
• Practice doing Two Minute Mornings.
• Explore mental health apps for guided meditation and affirmations.

Habits to Avoid to Be a Successful Person

“A chain is no stronger than it’s weakest link.”

thomas reid

While these ten habits of successful people will get you closer to your dreams, you’ll only get so far if you’re carrying bad habits with you. If you want to reach your highest potential, there are several habits to ditch immediately.

Habits to begin ditching today:

• Procrastination
• Perfectionism
• Dwelling on the past
• Refusing to ask for help
• Fear of failure or of making mistakes

In Bad Habits No More, author S.J. Scott says, “The best way to forever eliminate a habit is to slowly replace or ‘imprint’ negative habits with healthier routines.”

Start Modeling Successful People Today

“Successful people make decisions quickly (as soon as all the facts are available) and firmly. Unsuccessful people make decisions slowly, and they change them often.”

napoleon hill

Like with anything, change takes time. In the beginning, you may not get a perfect workout each day, complete all of the tasks on your list, or make a gratitude list each night. That’s okay. The important thing is to continue making an effort. When you fall short, get distracted, or forget, model successful people by forging forward. Ultimately, that is what sets successful people apart.  

Additional resources for leveraging successful habits in 2023:

• Make a vision board.
• Enroll in the Million-Dollar Business Method. 
• Read Change Your Habits, Change Your Life by Thomas C. Corley.
• Check out Keys to Success: The 17 Principles of Personal Achievement by Napoleon Hill.

Continue your journey toward becoming a successful person in 2023 by reading “How to Be Successful: 6 Ways to Achieve Your Goals.”