You might think that being intelligent or hardworking is the greatest predictor of success, but you’d be wrong. Those are tremendous attributes to possess, but it’s easy to find people with those qualities who aren’t highly successful. You probably know someone that is very intelligent but isn’t doing well in life.

You also know someone that works three jobs to make ends meet but is still struggling. Many manual labor jobs require hard work, but most of the people with these jobs aren’t commonly viewed as successful.

Conscientiousness is the best character trait to possess if you want to be successful. Someone that is conscientious does what needs to be done and does it with the intention of doing it well. Think about how much easier your life would be if you could just be more conscientious.

It’s simply the trait of taking care of one’s business and doing it at a high level. Think about the conscientious people you know. They are successful beyond what you’d predict from their intelligence and skills.

Practice these tips to become more conscientious, and you’ll become more successful:

1. Understand the importance of conscientiousness.

Knowing how important it is to your future will fuel your motivation to build this important trait. Understanding is a great first step to developing a higher level of conscientiousness.

2. Be on time.

A simple way to begin building conscientiousness is to take more responsibility for your time. When you decide to be someplace at a certain time, hold yourself to that agreement with yourself. Life is a lot easier when you’re not running late. The people that might be waiting on your arrival will be happier with you, too.

3. Plan your day and follow your plan.

This is the bread and butter of building conscientiousness. Have a plan for your day in place before you begin your day. You’ll waste far less time and accomplish far more. All you have to do is put your head down and follow the plan.

4. Finish what you start.

Conscientious people are great at finishing what they begin. Avoid leaving any task unfinished. Push through any resistance you feel and be a finisher. For example, if you plan on spending 30 minutes on the treadmill, don’t let yourself quit at 25 minutes. Don’t stop until it’s done.

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It’s great to be able to kill two birds with one stone. Or, to satisfy multiple needs with one activity. Most people could use more time each day, so it’s great to accomplish two things with one activity. For example, it’s possible to listen to a book on tape while walking on a treadmill.

At a higher level, it’s possible to engage in an enjoyable hobby while also meeting one or more of your emotional needs. It’s also easy to get yourself to participate in enjoyable activities!

It can take some thought, but there are plenty of hobbies that you’d enjoy that will also allow you to feel creative, helpful, fulfilled, adventurous, or any other emotional state that you desire. A hobby can be more than just a fun activity.

Try these activities to find a hobby that soothes your soul:

1. Writing.

Writing is a great way to be creative and put your ideas out into the world. Writing is something you can do by yourself at any time in any location. You may not have enjoyed writing in school, but writing about things that interest you can be very rewarding on multiple levels.

2. Painting,

sculpting, or other artistic activity. Allow the artist in you to blossom. There are many forms of artistic expression. Consider giving yourself the gift of creating something completely original.

3. Dancing.

Perhaps painting and writing aren't your thing. Maybe you've always wanted to dance. Now is as good a time as any to pursue this interest. This can be a great way to make new friends, too.

4. Volunteering.

Volunteering can be another way to meet your emotional needs. Few things feel as good as spending your time helping someone other than yourself. Volunteering can be rewarding in countless ways.

5. Animal rescue.

Do you love animals? If so, perhaps you could work at an animal rescue or maybe even start your own. Have you ever wanted to be a wildlife rehabilitator? Many people greatly enjoy the time they spend with animals.

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Do you take enough responsibility for your life? Those that don’t often have challenging lives. There are so many forces working against you that it’s imperative to actively participate in your life.

Blaming others, relying on luck, playing the victim, or hoping that randomness will be in your favor is a loser’s game.

Your destiny is under your control, but only if you exercise that control.

Use these strategies and take greater control of your life:

1. Own your problems.

Every problem you have is your responsibility to manage. Whether you have terrible parents, a bald head, ugly knees, or a lousy boss, you’re the only person that can save you. Own your problems and you’ll stop waiting for someone else to save you.

2. Make yourself a priority.

It’s okay to put yourself first. If you don’t, who else is going to? No one. You and your life are important to you. If you don’t make yourself a major priority in your life, your life will suffer for it.

3. Avoid complaining.

Complaining implicitly suggests that you don’t have control over the thing you’re complaining about.

● If you can’t fix the thing that’s bothering you, then why complain? If you can fix it, then fix it. But fix it without whining.

4. Avoid making excuses.

Excuses make you weak. There are people that look for excuses so they can let themselves off the hook and take a passive position. Forget about making excuses and look for solutions. Excuses undermine your power over your life.

5. Schedule your time.

How you spend your time is critical. Avoid living your life by the seat of your pants. Make a plan for each day and follow it to the best of your ability. You’ll be stunned by how much more control you have over your life if you use your time wisely.

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Some people do need to treat their anxiety with medication. But there are also other ways of dealing with anxiety that can be effective for many people.

Almost everyone has some anxiety, but few of us are actively doing anything to relieve our anxiety. Learn how you can easily do things to help you avoid anxiety and incorporate these strategies into your everyday routines.

Take these steps to feel more relaxed:

1. Eat breakfast.

There are some studies that show that a substantial breakfast with high protein and fat reduces the level of anxiety experienced throughout the day. If you’re one of those people that skips breakfast, it might be making your anxiety worse.

2. Eat well.

Eating well means eating natural foods. Processed foods have a variety of chemicals and other artificial ingredients that affect many people in negative ways. Cleaning up your diet can have a profound impact on anxiety for many people.

3. Take a short walk.

A short walk can be a great way to clear your head and shake off some nervous energy.

4. Exercise daily.

Daily exercise isn't the easiest habit to instill but isn’t brutally difficult either. This is a great way of managing anxiety without medication. A good anti-anxiety workout will leave you feeling like you put some work in but won’t exhaust you. How you get this exercise is entirely up to you.

5. Focus on your environment.

You can’t feel anxious if you’re not thinking about something that makes you anxious. You’re inside your head when you’re anxious. Focusing on the sights and sounds around you is one way to put your attention on something real rather than your thoughts.

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Low self-esteem is practically an epidemic. We’re bombarded with images of impossible success and beauty on a daily basis. It’s hard to avoid making comparisons, and those comparisons never seem to work out in our favor.

Add to that a few mean comments received in childhood, a workplace bully, and a few extra pounds, and your self-esteem is in the toilet.

Recognize the signs of low self-esteem:

1. Difficulty accepting compliments.

If you have a hard time hearing someone say something nice about you, you might be suffering from low self-esteem. Most people enjoy receiving a genuine compliment, but those with a low opinion of themselves feel very uncomfortable being on the receiving end of praise.

● Start by giving yourself compliments in the mirror. Keep doing this each day until the discomfort is greatly diminished.

● Next, ask people if they like your shoes, new haircut, or your brand-new gas grill. People will almost always say they do. Enjoy the compliments.

2. Overly sensitive to criticism.

On the other hand, those with low self-esteem can’t handle criticism either. They tend to overreact and to take criticism too personally.

● Even constructive criticism is handled poorly. Do you bristle when someone offers a helpful suggestion for improvement? If so, your lack of self-esteem might be the reason.

● Ask someone for advice about how you could improve how you currently do something. Then, thank them for it and make good use of their feedback.

3. Fear of failure.

Low self-esteem and avoidance are commonly found together. Those with low self-esteem expect to fail, and who is going to try to do something if they expect failure?

● Do things that will likely result in failure and realize that it isn’t so bad. Apply for jobs you have little hope of landing. Ask out a stranger for coffee.

4. People-pleasing behavior.

While compliments are hard to handle, who doesn’t like the gratitude of others? When people show appreciation to someone with low self-esteem, that appreciation is soaked up like a dry sponge soaks up water. People-pleasing is done to feel a sense of value and worth.

● Do what needs to be done without trying so hard to make others happy. Do something that makes YOU happy.

● That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider the negative impact your words or actions can have on other people.

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How well you do in high school determines the universities and the majors that are available. Success in college determines the jobs and graduate schools that are available to you.

Doing well in college isn’t a secret. There are things that need to be done and things that need to be avoided.

Get the most from your college experience with these strategies:

1. Pick your major wisely.

You can always change your major, but it’s often at the expense of time and money. Some majors are more lucrative than others. Some majors will interest you more than others.

● More than a few people wish they could use a time machine to travel back and choose a different major or university. Choose wisely.

2. Schedule your courses wisely.

For example, are you an early bird? Then morning classes make sense. If you don’t like to get up before noon, early classes could be the end of your college career.

● Think about what time you want to have classes and which days work best for you. Some people like to spread their classes out over the entire week, others prefer to have a couple of days off.

3. Go to class and be on time.

College is expensive, so get the most out of it. You’ll learn more and earn better grades.

● Your professors like it when you go to class. They often feel insulted when you skip.

● Be respectful to your professors and classmates by being on time.

4. Remember why you’re in school.

It’s easy to be lazy or distracted by all the social opportunities but remember why you’re there. There’s a purpose to spending all that money to go to school. Identify yours and remind yourself of it daily.

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It’s not easy for most people to study. It’s even more challenging for those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Those with ADHD have above normal levels of hyperactivity and a below normal ability to focus on a single task. This makes studying especially difficult for adults and children with ADHD.

These strategies can make studying less of a challenge:

1. Remove distractions.

Most of us are easily distracted these days. Those with ADHD are even more susceptible to distractions. It’s worth the effort to create a place to study that is as devoid of distractions as possible.

● A completely bare room with a desk and maybe a clock is ideal. The fewer the number of distractions the better.

2. Focus on one task at a time.

No one is particularly good at switching back and forth between tasks. This is even more challenging for someone with ADHD. Choose a task and commit to working on it until either the task or the allocated time is complete. Then, take a break and move forward.

3. Take regular breaks.

There are people with very short attention spans that have accomplished amazing things by alternating 10-minute work periods with 10-20-minute breaks.

● Remember that a break doesn’t necessarily mean sitting there staring into space. It can be a good time to do a chore around the house, do some pushups, or call a friend.

● Find the right ratio of working time to break time for you. You’ll never know what works for you without experimenting. There’s a right combination for everyone.

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Have you ever tried to cultivate gratitude? It can be more complicated than it sounds.

Our brains are usually wired to pay more attention to negative events. Hurricanes and heartbreaks create deeper impressions than rainbows and family dinners.

Sometimes, you’re just so busy that you forget about your resolutions on your way to work and don't realize it until you’re brushing your teeth at night.

With a little help, you can make thankfulness more automatic. Try these ideas for increasing your gratitude.

Benefits of Growing Your Gratitude

If you want to change your habits, it’s important to build your motivation. Keep reminding yourself of the advantages of being more appreciative. It will give you a powerful sense of purpose.

Consider these benefits:

1. Boost your mood. Gratitude can make you happier.

It increases your energy levels and reduces daily stress.

2. Enhance your wellbeing.

Many studies have found a connection with physical health too. Gratitude may strengthen your immune system, lower your blood pressure, and protect you from diabetes and other chronic conditions.

3. Deepen your relationships.

Expressing your thanks also helps you to bond with others. You’re likely to feel more empathetic and experience a greater sense of belonging.

Daily Practices for Growing Your Gratitude

Work out your gratitude muscles the same way you train your body. Gradual and consistent actions help you to accomplish big goals with less stress.

These techniques will help you to include gratitude in your everyday life:

1. Keep a journal.

You’ve probably heard suggestions about starting a gratitude journal. It can be an effective tool for staying on track and evaluating your progress. That’s especially true if you update it each day and review what you write, so you can spot patterns and reinforce positive choices.

2. Write letters.

Did your parents remind you to write thank you letters? It’s a tradition worth passing on to your own kids. Let others know how they’ve made a positive difference in your life. Tell them in person too.

3. Minimize materialism.

Being overly concerned with possessions and physical comfort makes it more difficult to feel grateful. Focus on spiritual values and personal relationships rather than retail therapy. Try to be content with what you have.

4. Resist comparisons.

Envy is another obstacle to counting your blessings. Take pleasure in fortunate events that happen to others. It will make you feel happier in the long run. Examine your feelings to see if they’re pointing to some changes you want to make in your own life.

5. Welcome setbacks.

You may even find yourself being thankful for things that seem like disappointments at first. Challenges teach us how to build character and resilience. Losses sometimes make room for new opportunities.

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Are you an early bird? If so, good for you! If you’re not, you might want to consider trying out a new schedule. There are a lot of advantages to being an early riser.

Studies show that early birds are more productive and healthier.

It’s a great way to live. All you have to do is get up a couple of hours earlier. The benefits are worth the momentary discomfort each morning.

Still not convinced? Read on.

See why the early bird really does get the worm:

1. It’s healthier.

It’s been found that the sleep patterns of those that get up early are healthier. You might live longer by being an early bird. Spending less money on medical care is another bonus.

2. It’s more natural.

Most animals are active during daylight hours and asleep while it’s dark. We don’t see well in the dark, so we’re clearly not designed to be active at night.

3. You’ll be thinner.

On the average, early birds are leaner than night owls. Maybe it’s the late-night snacking that many night owls like to do.

4. You’re more focused.

There are fewer distractions early in the morning. You can get more done by having a greater level of focus. There’s no one around to intrude on your time.

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The world becomes more interesting and far vaster when you’re open-minded. However, it can be challenging to keep an open mind.

We all have our beliefs, values, preferences, and prejudices that blind us to the truth and to new experiences. Our view of the world is tainted in ways we don’t even recognize. It’s a significant challenge to be open-minded.

Consider these advantages of becoming a more open-minded person:

1. You learn more.

Open-minded people are much more interested in learning about different ideas, people, places, and cultures. Close-minded people think they already know everything. They aren’t open to learning something new.

2. You experience fewer negative emotions.

Close-minded people are more easily annoyed and offended than are open-mind people. Open-minded people tend to have fewer negative emotions and more positive and neutral emotions.

● They more often give someone the benefit of the doubt, figuring that they might have good reasons for their actions.

3. You get along better with others.

Open-minded people like a greater variety of people. They are also more likeable in general and are less likely to get into disagreements and arguments.

4. You have a broader range of experiences.

When your mind is open to more possibilities, you’ll enthusiastically engage in new experiences. Close-minded people have much more limited lives.

5. You’ll be wrong less frequently.

The more open you are, the less likely you are to come to an incorrect conclusion. You’ll consider all the possibilities. You’ll also have a greater range of experiences and have learned more. All of these things will result in you being right more often!

6. You have the opportunity to learn more from your mistakes.

When an open-minded person makes a mistake, they can think about what went wrong on a deep level. They’ll consider that maybe they made an error in judgement, their knowledge is incorrect, or they just need more practice.

● A close-minded person, on the other hand, is less likely to consider all the possibilities for their failures, so it’s harder for them to benefit from the lesson.

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