7 mental habits that secretly create lifelong success, according to psychologists

Success isn’t always about big ideas or dramatic leaps. Quite often, it’s about the small habits that, over time, shape our lives in profound ways we may not even recognize.

Psychologists suggest that these subtle mental habits can be the secret key to lifelong success. They’re not flashy, they’re not always obvious, but their impact can be monumental.

In this article, I’ll take you through seven of these habits. They might seem simple on the surface, but don’t underestimate their power.

These are the mental routines that successful people weave into their daily lives.

They’re the quiet influencers of our actions and choices, nudging us towards success in a way that’s both gentle and powerful.

Lean in closer, because these seven mental habits are truly transformative – your path to lifelong success could very well start here.

1) Embrace the power of positive thinking

Attitude is everything, or so says the world of psychology. One of the pivotal mental habits that pave the way to lifelong success is positive thinking.

This isn’t about ignoring reality or pretending that everything is always perfect – far from it. It’s about choosing to focus on the good in any situation, and using that as fuel to propel yourself forward.

Dr. Martin Seligman, a renowned psychologist and proponent of positive psychology, once aptly said, “The good life is using your signature strengths every day to produce authentic happiness and abundant gratification.”

In essence, positive thinking encourages us to embrace our strengths and use them to our advantage.

It’s about turning challenges into opportunities, setbacks into learnings, and doubts into motivation.

By viewing things through a lens of positivity, we can navigate life more effectively. We can harness the power of optimism to overcome obstacles and push towards our goals.

Next time you find yourself stuck in a rut or facing a difficult situation, remember Dr. Seligman’s words. 

2) Practice mindful living

Mindful living, as the name suggests, is about being fully present in each moment.

It’s about not just going through the motions of life, but really experiencing it. And let me tell you, it’s a game-changer.

I remember a time in my life when I was constantly juggling multiple responsibilities.

Work, family, personal goals – it felt like a never-ending whirlwind. I was always thinking about what needed to be done next, and in turn, I missed out on truly experiencing the present moment.

Then I stumbled upon the teachings of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, a psychologist and mindfulness expert. He once said, “Mindfulness is the aware, balanced acceptance of the present experience.”

This resonated with me deeply and inspired me to practice mindful living.

By focusing on the now rather than worrying about the future or regretting the past, I found myself feeling calmer and more centered. I started appreciating little moments of joy that I would have otherwise missed.

Work became more enjoyable, relationships more meaningful, and personal goals more attainable.

The habit of mindful living not only brings peace but also sharpens our focus and boosts our productivity – key ingredients for lifelong success.

3) Embrace vulnerability

Is it scary to be vulnerable? To expose our true selves, warts and all, to the world? Absolutely. But it’s also incredibly powerful and liberating.

Vulnerability is often misconstrued as a weakness when, in fact, it’s one of our greatest strengths.

It allows us to connect with others on a deeper level, to learn from our mistakes, and to grow as individuals.

Renowned psychologist and author Dr. Brené Brown has famously said, “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.”

This quote struck a chord with me, and I believe it captures the essence of vulnerability beautifully.

No one is perfect. We all have flaws and insecurities. Embracing them rather than hiding them allows us to be more authentic, more empathetic, and more open to change.

In my own journey towards success, I have found that being vulnerable has not held me back but propelled me forward.

It’s helped me form genuine relationships, both personally and professionally.

It’s allowed me to learn from my failures and use them as stepping stones.

Being vulnerable is raw. It’s real. 

4) Foster a growth mindset

The way we view our abilities and potential can greatly influence our path to success. This is where the concept of a ‘growth mindset’ comes in.

A growth mindset is the belief that our abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work. It’s a love for learning, a resilience for challenges.

It stands in stark contrast to a fixed mindset, which sees abilities as static.

This concept was developed by psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck, who conducted a study on students’ attitudes towards failure.

In her research, she found that students who believed their intelligence could be developed (those with a growth mindset) outperformed those who believed their intelligence was fixed.

The power of this mental habit lies in its focus on continuous learning and improvement.

With a growth mindset, every challenge becomes an opportunity to learn something new, every failure a stepping stone towards success.

Adopting a growth mindset has personally helped me overcome obstacles and achieve my goals.

By viewing challenges as opportunities for growth, I’ve been able to push through difficult times and come out stronger on the other side.

Lifelong success isn’t about never failing; it’s about never stopping to learn and grow.

5) Cultivate gratitude

Gratitude is more than just saying ‘thank you’. It’s a way of seeing the world. It’s about appreciating what we have, rather than focusing on what we lack.

Famed psychologist Dr. Robert Emmons describes gratitude as a “felt sense of wonder, thankfulness, and appreciation for life”. This resonates with me deeply.

Over the years, I’ve found that cultivating a habit of gratitude has had a profound impact on my outlook on life and my journey towards success.

When things don’t go as planned or when faced with adversity, it’s easy to fall into the trap of negativity.

But by consciously shifting our focus to the things we’re grateful for, we can navigate through life’s ups and downs with a more positive and balanced perspective.

Keeping a gratitude journal has been a game-changer for me. Every night before bed, I jot down three things I’m grateful for that day.

It could be something as simple as a warm cup of coffee in the morning or something bigger like reaching a personal goal.

This simple practice has not only made me more appreciative of the little joys in life but also more resilient in face of challenges.

No matter where you are in your journey towards success, there’s always something to be grateful for.

6) Learn to let go

Contrary to what some might believe, holding on isn’t always a sign of strength. Sometimes, the real strength lies in letting go.

Letting go of past mistakes, of regrets, of things we cannot change – it’s a mental habit that can lead to a life of freedom and success.

As the renowned psychologist Dr. Carl Jung once said, “I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.”

We all make mistakes. We all have things in our past that we wish we could change. But dwelling on them doesn’t serve us; it only holds us back.

I’ve found that learning to let go has been liberating. It’s allowed me to focus on the present and the future rather than being stuck in the past.

It’s not about forgetting or ignoring these experiences but acknowledging them, learning from them, and then moving forward.

If you’re holding onto something that’s weighing you down, consider if it’s time to let it go.

7) Practice self-care

Self-care is not a luxury, it’s a necessity.

As Christopher Germer wisely said, “Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others.”

Taking time for ourselves, to rest and recharge, can have a profound impact on our mental well-being and, in turn, our journey towards success.

You can’t pour from an empty cup. Make self-care a habit.

Final reflections

Our journey towards success is deeply intertwined with our mental habits. They shape our actions, influence our decisions, and ultimately, define our lives.

By embracing a positive mindset, practicing mindful living, and fostering vulnerability, we can harness the power of our minds to propel us forward.

Cultivating gratitude and a growth mindset allows us to navigate life’s ups and downs with resilience and determination.

And finally, by learning to let go and practicing self-care, we can find balance and contentment on this path to lifelong success.

These are not just habits – they’re choices we make every day. They’re the quiet influencers of our lives, guiding us subtly yet powerfully towards success.

As you move forward on your journey, reflect on these habits.

You might just find that the key to lifelong success lies not in grand gestures but in these simple, powerful mental habits.

The post 7 mental habits that secretly create lifelong success, according to psychologists appeared first on The Blog Herald.