8 daily habits that set smart and successful women apart

We all admire those women who seem to have it all together. They exude confidence, fulfill their goals, and seem to navigate life’s challenges with grace and ease. You might wonder what their secret is or if they were simply born under a lucky star.

The truth is, these women aren’t just lucky – they’re disciplined, focused, and they’ve developed certain habits that propel them towards success. 

If you’re curious to know what these habits are and how they can potentially change your own life trajectory towards fulfillment and achievement, then you’re in the right place.

Here are 8 daily habits that set smart and successful women apart: 

1) They begin their day with purpose

The early morning light filters through the blinds, the world is quiet, and the day holds limitless potential. This is the moment when successful women set the tone for the day.

Rather than allowing their mornings to be consumed by the chaos of last-minute tasks or mindless scrolling through social media, these women dedicate their first waking hours to purposeful activities.

For some, it might be meditating or visualizing their goals for the day. Others may prefer to sweat it out with an invigorating workout, or nourish their mind with a chapter from an inspiring book.

The key here is mindfulness and intention. Successful women are proactive, not reactive. That’s why they set their intention for the day in the very first hour. 

Their routine helps them stay focused on their goals and reminds them of their ability to influence the outcomes of their day.

After all, as Annie Dillard once said, “How we spend our days is, of course, how we spend our lives.” And successful women understand this better than anyone else.

2) They prioritize their health

Another thing successful women understand is that their physical health is intimately linked with their capacity to perform at their best.

They are aware that a well-nourished and fit body is the vehicle that will carry them towards their goals, and they prioritize taking care of it.

This doesn’t mean they spend hours at the gym or follow restrictive diets. Instead, they integrate healthy habits into their daily routines in a way that is sustainable and enjoyable.

Here are the ways they stay healthy:

• Taking a brisk walk during lunch breaks
• Choosing nutritious meals
• Staying hydrated
• Ensuring they get adequate rest each night

Not only that, but their approach to health is holistic. They pay equal attention to their mental and emotional wellness too.

They make time for self-care, whether it’s a quiet cup of tea in the afternoon, journaling their thoughts, or taking regular breaks to avoid burnout.

That way, they have the energy, clarity, and resilience needed to tackle challenges and seize opportunities that come their way. They know that success isn’t just about what you achieve but also about how you feel along the journey.

3) They constantly seek knowledge

One of the most common habits I’ve noticed among successful women is their relentless pursuit of knowledge. They are always curious, always learning, always looking for ways to grow.

I remember a conversation I had with a successful entrepreneur a few years ago. As we sipped our coffees in a bustling café, she shared with me that her most treasured habit was her commitment to learning something new every day.

She saw life as an endless opportunity for growth and believed that constant learning was the key to staying relevant and adaptable in her field.

Inspired by her words, I started to incorporate this habit into my own life. Each day, I dedicate some time to learning – I read informative articles, listen to a podcast on a topic I’m unfamiliar with, or even just engage in a thought-provoking conversation.

This habit has not only broadened my knowledge and skills but also keeps me engaged with the world around me. It’s a constant reminder that there’s always more to discover, more to understand, and more ways in which I can improve.

As Albert Einstein once said, “Once you stop learning, you start dying,” and successful women seem to live by this mantra.

4) They set clear goals and act on them

Setting goals is part of that constant desire for learning and growing. But while it’s something we all do, what sets successful women apart is that they truly walk the talk.

Unlike me many moons ago. I had a long list of goals but little to show for it. My ambitions were grand, but my progress was painfully slow.

Fortunately, I met a successful businesswoman who eventually became my mentor, and she helped me realize where I was going wrong.

She shared her strategy with me – make a list of goals, then break them down into manageable tasks. Then…relentlessly pursue them!

Aside from that, she made a habit of reviewing her plans regularly to ensure she was on track and made necessary adjustments along the way.

Taking her advice to heart, I started to approach my goals differently. Instead of being overwhelmed by the enormity of my dreams, I started breaking them down into smaller, more manageable tasks. I made sure to take at least one step towards my goals every day.

This shift in my approach led to significant progress. That formula of “clear goals + consistent action” helped me achieve more than I ever thought possible. 

5) They cultivate a positive mindset

If we’re talking about successful women, I can’t help but mention Michelle Obama.

Throughout her journey, from the south side of Chicago to the White House, she has faced her fair share of challenges, both personal and professional.

In her memoir, “Becoming,” she speaks candidly about the obstacles she’s faced, from juggling motherhood and a demanding career to navigating the intense scrutiny of the public eye.

Instead of seeing these as setbacks, though, she looks at them as learning experiences. That’s how she has managed to be the epitome of grace, strength, and positivity.

Now, while it’s tempting to think that some people just naturally have a “glass-half-full” attitude, the truth is, cultivating a positive mindset is a deliberate choice and daily practice.

Science supports this habit. Research has shown that maintaining a positive mindset can lead to better problem-solving skills, increased resilience, and improved overall wellbeing.

So, it’s no surprise that successful women make it a daily practice to nurture an optimistic outlook, viewing every experience – good or bad – as a valuable lesson. It helps them persevere in the face of adversity and continue progressing towards their goals.

6) They are not afraid to say no

Just because you should maintain a positive attitude doesn’t mean you should be completely agreeable and try to please everyone, though.

The thing is, you don’t get to be successful without setting your boundaries and being firm on them. 

That’s why successful women master early on the art of saying “no” to things that don’t suit or serve them. 

They understand their limits and are very careful about safeguarding their mental energy. 

Plus, successful women know that time is a finite resource, and every “yes” to something unimportant is a “no” to something important.

Setting boundaries and being selective with their commitments ensures that they can give their best where it truly matters.

7) They nurture their relationships

Another thing you’ll notice about successful women is that they aren’t just about competition. They also remember to take care of their relationships.

In this fast-paced and cutthroat world, that’s quite an achievement.

So, how do they do it? 

Well, with these basics (which anyone of us can do, as long as we’re intentional!): 

• They make it a point to be present in their interactions
• They listen actively
• They provide support where needed
• They show appreciation

Because if there’s one thing they know, it’s this – success is rarely a solo journey. It’s the people you meet along the way, the connections you make, and the bonds you nurture that often make the journey meaningful and rewarding.

Which brings me to my final point…

8) They practice gratitude

Gratitude is a powerful habit that successful women incorporate into their daily routine. Why?

Well, as I mentioned earlier, they like nurturing their relationships and gratitude is part of that.

And also, it plays a huge role in staying positive during tough times.

Gratitude calls us to acknowledge the good in life and appreciating what we have.

It’s such a healthy habit to cultivate. In fact, practicing gratitude has been linked to increased happiness, reduced stress, and improved mental health.

Taking a moment each day to reflect on what they are thankful for fuels successful women’s drive towards success.