Success Starts With Habits

Success doesn’t magically appear, those who are successful strive to achieve their success. Right? Right.



To many, success is winning. Yes, it is defined as ‘the accomplishment of one’s goals’, however, it takes a bunch of tiny things to work together to help you achieve that goal.

I read an article the other day that explained the top 3 things successful people do and it made me think of the things I do or rather things I should be doing to not only be successful, but happier.

Sometimes I feel like just doing a few of these things makes me automatically more energized and better about myself.

Give em’ a try and let me know what you think.

Say hello to H20

I’ve never been one to thoroughly enjoy drinking water (caffeine is my water. I’m a very bad girl) unless it’s after a long run or cycle session – then I can’t have enough. I have, however, been ditching the excessive amounts of coffee for excessive amounts of water and it’s life changing. I’ve never been the one to drink pop (soda, if you’re into calling it that) and I’ve always opted for water when I’m out to eat, but maybe it’s my forgetfulness that makes me forget to drink it throughout the day. You know, to stay hydrated and stuff – the necessary things. Anyways, I’ve been drinking it more and just feeling better. No more caffeine headaches or those weird tummy aches you get from too much caffeine. Did I mention my anxiety has definitely decreased? Well it has.

Early bird gets to sweat

Ok so I changed that saying up a bit, but you get the idea. Working out in the mornings has been my thang for a few months now. Many of you probably ::cringed:: when you read that, but not only do I beat the after-work crowd, but I feel so energized and relaxed (honestly, even happier) before work to take on my day. I love getting out of work and not having to lug myself into the gym. Oh and it definitely doesn’t hurt to have evenings open to grab cocktails with friends.


To-do list = lifesaver

I don’t know about you, but my to-do list is my serious lifesaver. Not only do I love crossing things off my list (guilty: adding things I’ve already done, just to cross them off. Opps.), but making one altogether is enough to keep me focused. Just ask my co-workers, I have lists on lists at work.



Routine is key

There was a period of time post-graduation, where I felt like I was on a constant vacation. In hindsight, a vacation sounds nice, but it definitely wasn’t the tropical kind where lying on the beach with a daiquiri in hand is acceptable. Yes, I was waiting tables and applying for jobs, but I was constantly feeling unproductive. It was the only period in my life where I didn’t exactly have a game plan. High school and college were periods where I knew what classes I needed to be taking, what professors were the best and I had a routine down pat. Post-college - not so much. I will say, after starting a routine and adding tasks to my to-do list (see above), I finally felt productive and even good about my daily productivity and myself. Whether you’re applying for jobs, stuck in a job rut or even in college, having some sort of game plan for the day will help you think clearly, feel organized and be more productive.

The Perfectly Unplanned

When I look back, everything in my life was always so perfectly planned. From picking out my communication/public relations degree at Virginia Tech, to the 4 years of undergrad life filled with $3 triple vodka soda's and the best of friends, to a summer-filled with applying for jobs, snagging a job and surviving my full year at that job.

It all happened so fast. So far, my life has been pretty much planned to a tee. After high school, I knew that college was my next step. After college, I knew a job (using my degree) was the next, next step. It was all curated to fit my perfectly planned life. Now, it's funny how I feel like I don't have plans. Yes, I want to eventually get married, have kids, the white picket fence, you know the whole nine yards or the 'so-called normal' things, but right now I'm ok with how things are going.

 I'm perfectly content with my excessive binge-watching of Scandal, nightly glass of Malbec  and Wednesday Night cocktail traditions with my girl friends. Sometimes it's nice to know that maybe there shouldn't always be a plan, a 'normal' timeline of the route your life should take. Sometimes, it's nice to just go with the flow, be laid-back and say screw-it to the timeline. Maybe the unplanned route is the better one.