The individual who wants to reach the top in business must appreciate the might and force of habit.

He must be quick to break those habits that can break him – and hasten to adopt those practices that will become the habits that help him achieve the success he desires. – J. Paul Getty ::

I found this quote as I was reading Jack Canfield‘s book The Success Principles. . . It was interesting to learn that 90% of our behavior is habitual. 90 percent!

“What ever habits you currently have established are producing your current level of results.” 

This is such a simple idea. How many of us have areas in our lives that could use more productive habits? I think the most intimidating thing when recognizing something needs changing is knowing what to do next. There is no manual for our specific needs, wants or dreams and how to achieve them . . . or is there?

If you want to be a chef – where do you start? In the kitchen right? You buy recipe books and spend your free time buying the tools. You start baking, cooking and learning how to become a gourmet chef until you can produce a 5 course meal for 6 people in your sleep.

Regardless of where you need more productive habits – I think the success habits you are searching for can be found when you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, from short term to larger long term goals, and consistently performing the actions necessary to reach them.

“Success is a matter of understanding and religiously practicing specific, simple habits that always lead to success.” – Robert J. Ringer, Author of Million Dollar Habits

One great take away from my reading of Principle 34 . . . “Good or bad, habits always deliver results.” How true!

Below are 7 ways I have helped myself reach my goals. I sure hope they help inspire you!

Success Habits : 7 Ways to Reach Your Goals

1. Start with identifying the most important specific things you are doing that need improvement.
2. Go through your list and come up with at least 3 alternative actions for each item that could help you change the bad habits.
3. On note cards (or on the note pad on your phone), write out each specific thing that needs improvement with the alternative actions. Each day review these actions – over breakfast, waiting in line at the grocer, Lunch . . . when ever you have time to review them. Knowing where you can improve and learning an alternative response that then becomes a success habit takes time.
4. Have 100% commitment to your goals. Stand firm and don’t give in. . . you are the most persuasive person when you don’t want to do something, are too tired, or don’t have enough time. Stick with it. Results take time.
5. Stay motivated. Read books & blogs by people that inspire you. Subscribe to magazines, take classes, reach out to and find a mentor. Go through your social networks and create the environment you need to achieve your goals. That means unfriending or friending, unfollowing or following until you have the right balance for each social network you use on a daily basis. Each network is a unique environment. Because so many use social sites on a daily basis – making your online experience one that will help you stay motivated, positive and on task is up to you!
6. Drink plenty of water. I know some of you are asking – “What the hell does this have to do with success habits?” Well, let me tell you. Water plays a vital role in healthy brain function. So put down that soda, tea or coffee and make a commitment to drink half your body weight in ounces daily.  How can you develop your new success habits if you can’t focus?
7. Review your results regularly. If you start to see that your new success habits are producing the results you had hoped for *woo hoo! Congratulations! It’s time for you to add a new goal to your list. If not, it’s time to review your alternate actions that you came up with (# 2) and hit reset. Just because you didn’t see the results you wanted with one action – it doesn’t mean that the situation is hopeless and success can’t be yours.

In an article published in the European Journal of Social Psychology in July of 2009, researchers stated that “The time it took participants to reach 95% of their asymptote of automaticity ranged from 18 to 254 days; indicating considerable variation in how long it takes people to reach their limit of automaticity and highlighting that it can take a very long time.”  So if you want to banish bad habits – be patient and stay committed!

I have to say that Jack Canfield has some amazing FREE resources over at The Success Principles to get you started on your new success habits!

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Share the success habits you have developed!

How do you stay motivated to reach your goals on a daily basis?

Thank you to Danielle Hatfield for submitting this post. Danielle is proud to be the Chief Dirt Digger at Experience Farm, the Community Manager and Editor of Linking Triad, Managing Partner of Linking Greensboro, and that chick who is responsible for hatching @gsotweetup. You can also follow the wonderfully incredible Danielle on Twitter @dhatfield.