It is a dog-eating-dog world, let’s face it. People are competitive and people are vindictive. But it is not like people do not succeed anymore; they actually succeed better and in bigger ways.

What is it that separates a run-of-the-mill human being from someone really successful and content?

Is it the family they were born into or the education they receive or the food they eat or the clothes they wear?

The answer: none of the above.

There are certain traits that you have to imbibe, to the extent that they become part of the person you are; believe us, it doesn’t happen in a day, or a week for that matter.

With effort and some mind-training, things however do change for the better.

Here are some habits associated with success. Note, they are more like lifestyle choices than casual habits.

Handling no’s better than the yesses.

Life is going to throw you a no more often than it throws you a yes. Remember that line from Whiplash? “Good job”; you are just not going to hear this phrase that easy. People will make you eat off their boots for years before you get to their level.

So, do you give up?

No.

You persevere and rise. Slow, but steady.

Handling rejection can be tough, but believe us, those tough years teach you a hell lot more than you think.

Loving yourself

You have to really see the person who the people who love you see in you. Every person has two people inside him; one looking at himself like he sees a criminal and the other who sees a saint.

My belief is, you should try and break out of that rut and see a human being of flesh and blood, who makes mistakes but also learns from them and does not repeat those mistakes.

Introspect and retrospect

Introspection is looking for the answers inside of your own mind. That is, to be the honest, the summary of all humane struggles; even Buddha spent time in ritualistic self-torture but then realised that it was wrong of him to do so. The answers lay inside.

But where are the questions then?

Well, they lie in your actions, committed in the past. Finding them out is retrospection. Reflect on your deeds of the past and try to look for reasons inside your own mind.

Concentrate on living better

On a day-to-day basis, profundity can wait. Sometimes you must worry about the bills and not your dreams and fantasies. As a matter of fact, you can concentrate on your dreams and fantasies better if you live comfortably and well.

Listen and learn

Do not disturb someone with questions all the time. Sometimes, take the time to watch how they do it, because if they weren’t doing it better than you, you wouldn’t be asking them in the first place.

Shrug

Because sometimes all the answers are not yours to know. Give up when you must, after trying your best.

 

Peace.