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title: Here Are the 7 Things That Can Make You Wildly Successful
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# Here Are the 7 Things That Can Make You Wildly Successful

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by 

[Eric Barker](https://time.com/author/eric-barker/)


## Eric Barker


May 8, 2014 4:01 AM UTC

by 

[Eric Barker](https://time.com/author/eric-barker/)


## Eric Barker


May 8, 2014 4:01 AM UTC

What does volumes of research say you can learn from wildly [successful people](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/08/keys-to-success/)?

## To Build A Better Career, First Build A Better You

It might sound fluffy but research shows [**how people feel about themselves**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/10/how-to-be-more-confident/) **has a huge effect on success.**

Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

**What frequently** [**produces creative ideas**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/07/strokes-of-genius/)**? It’s not clever tricks — it’s being genuinely interested in your work.** 

Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

We all know the stereotype of the successful workaholic who neglects everything but their job.

Truth is, studies show **people with career momentum are 53% more likely to have healthy habits.** 

Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

[**A feeling of control**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/08/fearlessness/) **is what produces** [**grit**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/11/secret-success-not-giving-up/) **and makes people persist.** 

Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

(Learn how to be more confident [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/10/how-to-be-more-confident/).)

## Quality, Not Quantity

In surveys, people say hard work is the best predictor of success. [They’re wrong](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/04/interview-stanford-mba-school-professor-teaches-secret-promotions-raises-power/).

It’s one of the least significant factors. **Hard work is overrated.**

Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

Research shows number of hours does not predict success at work or at home.[**Success correlates with the** **_quality_** **of those hours**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/05/is-it-true-that-10000-hours-of-practice-will/)**.**

Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

**Being** [**conscientious**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/11/personality-trait-determine-future/) **— detail oriented and showing follow-through — produces five times the results of intelligence.**

Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

We’re in an era where multitasking seems essential and an employee must be a flexible “jack of all trades.”


But **the most successful people feel they are an expert at something.**

Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

(Learn how to be an expert [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/01/wildly-successful/www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/04/interview-author-cal-newport-on-how-you-can-become-an-expert-and-why-you-should-not-follow-your-passion/).)

## Make Plans And Goals

Sometimes it seems so much is getting thrown your way that all you can do is try to keep up.

But **successful people pause, reflect, and think about long-term improvement** **_every day._**

Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

Achievement is rarely random. Great generals don’t shrug and say “We got lucky.”

**Nearly every executive interviewed for a study saw “plans and strategy” as responsible for their success.**

Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

“I want lots of money” doesn’t cut it.

**Having concrete goals was correlated with huge increases in confidence and feeling in control.**

Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

(Learn about the most effective type of goals [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/11/the-art-of-negative-thinking/).)

## Focus On The Small Wins

Stop thinking that slaying dragons is all that matters.


**70% of long-serving corporate leaders focus on the average events — not the best or worst.**

The typical is much more common than extremes, so knowing how to handle that pays off almost every day.

Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

**A consistent amount of minor success produces** [**much more happiness**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/08/here-are-the-things-that-are-proven-to-make-y/) **than occasionally bagging an elephant.**

Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

You want a steady amount of challenge, achievement and feedback:

(Learn more about happiness [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/01/wildly-successful/www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/01/the-way-to-happiness/).)

## Know What Motivates You

[**Motivation**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2011/05/what-really-motivates-us/) **predicts career success better than intelligence, ability, or salary.**

Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

But what motivates people can vary widely.

What reward gets you going? Do you want to be richer? Do you like helping people? Do you want praise?

Don’t speculate. **Think about specific times when you were very motivated and what caused it.**

**Research shows that reward is responsible for three-quarters of why you do things, so align rewards and goals appropriately.**


Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

**Take the time to reflect on how far you’ve come and the good work you’ve done.** It boosts your motivation.

That’s not indulgent or fluffy — **persistent people spend twice as long thinking about their accomplishments.**

Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

Here’s Dan Pink, author of [Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1594484805/?tag=spacforrent-20), the single best book on motivation:

(Learn more about motivation [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/12/motivate-you/).)

## Choose The Right Workplace

[**People**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/06/are-your-friends-the-easiest-route-to-self-im/) **and** [**environment**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/04/whats-the-most-effective-way-to-change-you-be/) **affect you dramatically — and** [**bad habits**](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/08/what-are-the-5-steps-for-changing-bad-habits/)**can spread like a virus.**

Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):


You want to learn and grow — but you want to be learning the right things and growing in the right way.

**Having a diverse set of co-workers can make you much more productive.**

Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

We all know [mentors and role models are valuable](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/02/find-best-mentor/).

What most people don’t know is that these aspirational figures must “fit” with your career goals.

**Role models who aren’t relevant or whose achievements are unattainable can make you 22% less satisfied with your career.**

Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

(Learn how to use context to your advantage [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/04/whats-the-most-effective-way-to-change-you-be/).)

## Learn People Skills

You cannot go it alone. A [big network](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/01/wildly-successful/www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/05/how-to-network/) and [being liked](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2014/01/wildly-successful/www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/10/how-to-make-people-like-you/) pay huge dividends.

**80% of CEOs feel that people skills are not only essential at work but also make them happy at home.** 

Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

**Being defensive not only makes you disliked, it also makes it hard to learn anything.**


Via [The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People](http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000FC10GG/?tag=spacforrent-20):

(How do you learn people skills? Start [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/10/how-to-make-people-like-you/).)

## Sum Up

Seven things that will make you more successful:

1. **First, Build A Better You**
2. **Quality, Not Quantity**
3. **Make Plans And Goals**
4. **Focus On The Small Wins**
5. **Know What Motivates You**
6. **Choose The Right Workplace**
7. **Learn People Skills**

What’s the easiest way to get started? Go [here](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/07/make-your-life-better/).

**Join 45K+ readers.** Get a free weekly update via email [here](http://eepurl.com/o6uAD).

Related posts:

[8 Things The World’s Most Successful People All Have In Common](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/12/successful-people/)

[What 10 things should you do every day to improve your life?](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2012/05/what-10-things-should-you-do-every-day-to-imp/)

[How To Make Your Life Better By Sending Five Simple Emails](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/2013/07/make-your-life-better/)

_This piece originally appeared on_ [_Barking Up the Wrong Tree_](http://www.bakadesuyo.com/)_._

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