Unlocking Success: The Habits That Set Successful Women Apart

27 May

The Concept of a "Successful Woman"

The concept of a "successful woman" is multifaceted, it might include holding a leadership position, achieving a certain level of wealth, or maintaining a harmonious work-life balance. Regardless of the specific definition, the rise of social media has provided us with the opportunity to closely observe the journeys of women who embody our personal ideals of success.

In a recent study, Dojo For Business followed the daily habits of 26 female business owners, CEOs and founders and identified that successful women often share a set of core habits that elevate their careers and personal lives. These habits are not just about hard work; they embody confidence, a positive mindset, and an unwavering commitment to self-improvement and women's empowerment. Understanding these key behaviors can provide invaluable insights into navigating the challenges of a high-achieving lifestyle while maintaining a sense of balance and self-awareness. It's about the journey toward success, redefined on one's own terms, highlighting the significance of individual paths in the realms of career and personal fulfillment.

This article delves into the habits that set successful women apart, exploring how early rising contributes to productivity, the importance of planning daily goals, and prioritising self-care to sustain long-term achievement. It further examines the impact of continuous self-improvement, achieving balance between professional and personal life, and how these strategies foster leadership and entrepreneurship. These insights are aimed at empowering readers with actionable strategies for personal and career growth, illustrating how women in leadership and women in business cultivate habits for success that resonate not just on a professional level, but in all areas of life, paving the way for a generation of confident, resilient, and successful women.

1. An Early Riser

Many successful individuals have harnessed the power of rising early to maximise their productivity, utilising the time for exercise, catching up on communications, and setting a proactive tone for the day. Former first lady of the United States, Michelle Obama, is amoung this group of early rises mentioning the "aha" moment she had shortly after the birth of her first daughter. Waking up at 4.30am to fit in an hour of exercise became a habit built around her daughters first feed of the day but it has continued to be a vital step in her routine as a strategy to prioritise her daily excerise goal.

Starting the day early is not just about getting a head start on emails or exercise; it also aligns with better mental health and productivity. Simon Ong, a life coach, wakes at 6.15am daily, using the time for a powerful workout that he believes sets a positive tone for his mental state throughout the day. Research supports this, indicating that those who shift their sleep schedule earlier might see improvements in mood and a reduction in stress and depression levels.

For those not naturally inclined to wake early, gradual adjustments to bedtime can facilitate an easier transition to morning routines. Shifting sleep patterns earlier can lead to significant benefits such as enhanced performance during the day and better overall health. This adjustment period can also foster habits conducive to personal and professional growth, such as increased time for morning exercise and a nutritious breakfast, which contributes to sustained energy levels and focus.

By integrating these practices, individuals not only optimise their productivity but also enhance their well-being, setting a precedent for a successful and balanced lifestyle.

2. Organising Daily Goals

Successful women understand the importance of organisation in their daily routines. They often begin planning the night before, ensuring that everything needed for the upcoming day is prepared, which helps to streamline morning activities and reduce stress. This proactive approach includes writing down goals to narrow their focus and prioritise their day. By listing tasks and their estimated completion time, they can manage their day efficiently without feeling overwhelmed. This method not only helps in keeping track of tasks but also provides a sense of accomplishment as each task is completed. Additionally, setting clear, actionable steps helps in breaking down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks, making them easier to achieve.

CEO and Co-founder of TALA fitness, Grace Beverley forten uses the Eisenhower Matrix to compartmentalise her tasks. This method has you arrange you tasks into these four catagories:

This tool eliminates time-wasting and creates mental space to make progress with your goals.

Regardless of the goal setting tools and frequency of tasks, the key is to stay flexible and adapt to changing circumstances, which allows them to remain focused and effective in their goal achievement.

By incorporating these practices into their daily routines, successful women can enhance their productivity and ensure that they are consistently moving towards their personal and professional objectives.

3. Self-Care

Successful women recognise the importance of incorporating self-care into their daily routines. For many, this includes both physical activity and mental health routines such as meditation, deep-breathing exercises, or simply moments of quiet reflection. Talk show host Oprah Winfrey, is one such woman, who starts her day by taking her dogs for a walk before undertaking a series of spiritual exercises.

Movement

Engaging in regular physical activities not only boosts physical health but also enhances mental well-being. Scheduling time for activities like walking, yoga, or swimming can significantly uplift one's mood and energy levels. Embracing movement as a daily practice, whether it's a morning jog or a midday stretch session, helps in maintaining vitality and managing the stress that comes with juggling multiple roles.

Mental Health Practices

Mental health is pivotal for sustaining high performance in both personal and professional realms. Successful women prioritise mental health by establishing practices that provide a foundation for clearer thinking and improved decision-making, which are crucial for leadership and effective management. Setting boundaries and allocating specific times for self-care are essential strategies that allow women to manage their responsibilities without compromising their well-being. Moreover, seeking support through counseling or coaching can be instrumental in navigating personal challenges and reducing mental load, thereby enhancing overall resilience and productivity.

4. Self Improvement

Successful women often redefine personal growth by focusing less on acquiring and more on shedding unhelpful beliefs and practices. This process involves removing burdens, obligations, and misperceptions of worth that hinder true potential. By letting go of these unnecessary weights, women create space for what truly matters, allowing them to focus on their strengths and enjoy their life and work more fully.

The Power of Mindset Shift

A crucial aspect of self-improvement involves shifting one's mindset from feeling perpetually inadequate to recognising one's inherent worthiness. This is about rewiring how we perceive ourselves and our capabilities. Such a transformation supports women in focusing on enriching the greatness already within them, rather than chasing external validation.

Engaging in Growth-Promoting Activities

Actively engaging in activities that promote personal growth is another key strategy. Whether it's pursuing hobbies, setting and achieving goals, or seeking new experiences and skill enhancements, these activities help women explore and develop their identities and improve their competancies further. Such engagement not only leads to personal growth but also increases overall job satisfaction.

5. Creating Balance

Work-life balance, often discussed as a distinct separation of professional and personal life, is increasingly viewed as an integrated experience, especially for career-driven women. The concept that work is not separate from life but a part of it highlights the continuous interplay between various life roles. This perspective acknowledges the challenges of maintaining distinct boundaries and emphasises the importance of integrating these aspects smoothly into one's lifestyle.

Alyce Tran, the co-founder of The Daily Edit, shares her unique perspective on finding balance in her life. Tran, who has successfully built a career she loves, expresses her thoughts on the matter: “Balance is hard, I have just integrated my work life into my personal life, I love my work so much so I don't feel like I'm working most of the time.”

For many successful women, prioritising the non-negotiable aspects of life such as health, relationships, and personal passions is crucial to maintain focus and fulfillment across all life domains. This can be acheived through effective task management and delegation to reduce stress and prevent burnout, allowing for a more balanced approach to daily demands.

By integrating the right strategies, women can navigate the complexities of their roles more effectively, leading to a more satisfying and balanced life.

Conclusion

The journey toward success, as explored in this article, is deeply individualistic, yet there are common habits successful women share that are pivotal in navigating the complexities of career and personal life. By adopting practices such as early rising, strategic planning, continuous self-improvement, and a commitment to self-care, women are carving paths to success defined not only by their achievements but by a balanced and fulfilling life. These habits underscore the importance of self-awareness and resilience, emphasising that true success encompasses both professional accomplishments and personal well-being.

As the narrative of successful women unfolds, it serves as a beacon for future generations, encouraging a holistic approach to success that values both achievement and personal fulfillment, armed with the insight that the journey is as important as the destination.

Lauren Reeve