It’s common for people to want a little more out of life. Many are typically harder on themselves than they are on anyone else around them, so when you’re stuck in your day-to-day routine and you feel like you’ve lost direction, you can find comfort in knowing you’re not alone. Oftentimes, some of your biggest role models in this world have all gone through the same obstacles you have. If you want to change and grow for the better, it’s time to start thinking about your lifestyle and how it encourages success. Success is a hard word to define because it’s vastly different for everyone. There are numerous ways to measure it; some of us see success in the amount of money we have while others think of it in terms of their career. One agreeable way to characterize success, however, is one’s quality of life. In other words, if you’re happy, healthy, and living life to your best potential, chances are you’re on the right track. Here are some habits of successful people that you should pick up.

The 6 Habits of Successful People:

Budget

While money isn’t the only measure of success, the way you handle your money can definitely make your life more or less comfortable. Managing your finances to be able to go shopping, go on vacation, and pay your mortgage at the same time is an acquired talent– one that comes with much time and effort. So, it’s important to teach yourself to limit spending and save money so you can do the things you want to without digging yourself into a hole.

The first step to successful budgeting is assessing your needs and wants. What can you live with and what can’t you live without? Cut out those pesky monthly payments from services you rarely use or minimize the expenses you can’t go without by doing your research and opting for cheaper alternatives. Did you know major payments like mortgages can be reduced through refinancing? This can give you more freedom to spend or save as you please and live your happiest life.

Invest

Many well-off individuals who have few concerns when it comes to money have something in common– they have two sources of income. While having a side hustle is a sure-fire way to pull in more money, not everyone has the amount of free time a second job requires. An easy way to increase your wealth without working two jobs is to invest the money you already have. 

Investing isn’t as scary as it seems initially. If you don’t know much about it, there are still ways to invest with little prior knowledge or little money, and you might even be doing it already. Efforts could be as small as putting your money into a savings account to generate a nest egg plus interest from the bank. You can also allocate a portion of your salary to your company’s retirement plan, which similarly builds interest the longer time passes. Or, look into some common investing apps that will guide you through your first investment. 

Seek new learning opportunities

It’s easy to coast through the day going through the motions. Workdays become monotonous, motivation is lacking, and you’re used to doing the bare minimum. However, whether at work, in school, or out in the real world, there is so much to discover. Successful people find time each and every day to seek new learning opportunities, no matter how small. 

The best way to stand out amongst others in the professional world is to expand your knowledge and find ways to utilize it, especially when it involves your career. Pursuing new information and refining skills so that you can share it with others demonstrates leadership qualities and helpfulness. It can stimulate your thinking and encourage growth, so when you see something you could learn more about, take that chance and better yourself. 

Help others

So many well-known people claim that the greatest gratification in life doesn’t come from money, but from helping others. Many find a greater purpose in putting efforts toward making other people’s lives better, whether that means volunteering, donating to charity, or simply being kind. 

Find ways to help your peers in your everyday routine. Volunteer your time or just a shoulder to lean on when you notice someone in need. Not only will the gratification lift your spirits, but it can make someone’s day, or even be a major saving grace for others. Offer kind words, let others know how much you appreciate them, and you’ll find that your mood improves along with your interpersonal relationships. Spreading happiness and good vibes can be contagious, so start the trend if you want an overall better life. 

Think positive

People of all backgrounds and qualifications go through tough times. Life throws obstacles at you that make you want to throw in the towel. It doesn’t matter if you’re a CEO or it’s your first day on the job. What sets you apart from the rest is the way you handle the difficult situations you’re faced with. Instead of getting upset, complaining, or quitting altogether, you should change your way of thinking. 

When your car breaks down, you’re passed up for a promotion, or you’re simply in a bad mood, force yourself to change your mindset. It can be hard, but when your car dies, think of how thankful you are that you’re safe and sound. When you don’t receive the promotion, come up with ways to become a better employee. Twist your normal ways of thinking to be more positive. A positive mindset will help you stand out and make for a happier life.

Set goals

If you don’t have a sense of where you want your life to go, it can be difficult to find the motivation to grow. Even if you don’t have a specific vision for your future, it’s still helpful to set smaller goals. This gives you a sense of direction and motivation. It can drive your focus and allow you to measure any progress you’ve made when it comes to your goals. 

One of the first steps for goal-setting is to sit down and think about who or where you want to be years into the future. Write down a vision and come up with smaller things you can do to reach that point. If you want a promotion at work, jot down ways to showcase your professional growth. Maybe that means acquiring any certifications or running a focus group. Perhaps your goal is to make a big purchase like a home or a car! Write down dates as checkpoints to ensure you’re saving an appropriate amount of money to keep you on track. 

If you look at this list and start to panic, don’t. Everyone experiences personal growth on their own time– there is no pace too fast or too slow. Remember not to be so hard on yourself. Make lifestyle changes, no matter how big or small, to get you to the point where you want to be. Incorporate these habits into your work, social, or daily lif. Soon, you’ll start to see growth in ways you haven’t seen before.