Habits, to a very large extent, determine our success, or lack thereof! It is no exaggeration that, in virtually every area of your life and career, habits will either make you or break you!
No one believes in the power and importance of habits more than Peter Legge, chairman and CEO of Canada Wide Media Limited, a $30 million publishing company based in Vancouver.
In his weekly newsletter called INSIGHT, Legge recently shared 10 habits that have had significant, positive impact on him and other successful leaders and entrepreneurs:
- Read a minimum of 60 minutes a day. “Sales books, biographies, industry journals, and don’t forget to underline important tips. For 40 years, I have read a book a week. Do you think that has helped me?”
- Exercise for 30 minutes every day. “Buy a Fitbit and walk 10,000 steps a day—about four miles daily. This will improve your posture and help to clear your mind.”
- Have a written “to-do” list. “I call mine ‘The Super Six.’ It must have at least six items minimum to complete—sometimes mine has 26 items.”
- Do not procrastinate. “Have a ‘Do it now’ mindset. Value each day and make it precious.”
- Save 10 percent of your gross income. “…Every month out of every paycheck. Invest your money wisely. Invest in positive growth assets.”
- Curb the time you watch television. “Keep it to one hour daily. Do not waste time on your computer.”
- Set goals just a little out of your reach. “Write your goals and dreams down on paper and keep them in front of you.”
- Play educational CDs in your car. “Continue learning and growing. Invest in yourself and go to seminars and attend courses regularly.”
- Don’t develop downhill habits. “John Maxwell told me that all success is ‘uphill’… You need to work hard and smart for a long time.”
- Remember, you become what you think about most of the time. “You and only you are in control of you and your habits… so get around the right people, have mentors who inspire you to excel, and believe you are exceptional.”
What about the crucial habits in your personal, professional, and organizational life? Do you know, with certainty, the habits most responsible for your success, or lack thereof? It would be difficult to identify anything more important and more impactful in your life and your career than the key habits almost totally responsible for your success or lack thereof!
Take time to identify, refine, and improve your habits in every area of your life. Without question, your future depends on it.
