“Smarts and action are on the same side of the equation where the sum is success.”

- Garrett Hazel

You may think you’re not in the same club as those making the big bucks in this world — clearly, the movers and shakers have something you don’t. But in fact, that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Success can be learned and the only thing that separates you from them is that they accurately apply a series of small habits to everything they do.

Essentially, that’s what success is: the sum of smart lifestyle choices. Below are some of those habits that you should take to heart in order to see your success rate go up.

1. Think like a winner.

Attitude is a huge part of success. Your outlook should never be defeatist. Visualize your accomplishments as you work toward them. See the glass as half full and aim for situations in which there are no other options than to come out triumphant. People follow winners, not pessimistic bores.

2. Be proactive.

Being proactive means thinking and acting ahead — basically, this means using foresight. Anyone who’s ever been hunting knows that you can sit in a camouflaged hut for the better part of forever and never get a kill. You have to get out there and follow the leads, get the game on the move, track it down. It’s the same in the workplace; don’t wait for assignments, go after them. Take the initiative, start new projects and don’t be afraid to attract new clients.

3. Keep the outcome in mind.

Everything we do in life has a reason. We always do these things in order to reach that result. It should be the same way at the office. Whatever lousy task you’re faced with should be tempered by the knowledge that you’re doing it for a purpose. Not only will this help you reevaluate the course of action, it will also give you a motive to go on when you feel despair creeping in.

4. Be methodical.

When on a project, go step by step without leaping over less interesting parts. You should always have a plan and follow it to the letter. If you burn steps, you will soon be lost and disorganized. For example, it’s more fun to shop for a new car than to talk to a banker about the financing. But what happens if you buy the car first and then discover that you won’t have enough money for your upcoming wedding? You have to prioritize.

5. Don’t criticize.

Some people — I’m sure you know some of them — only live to denigrate others. If you find fault with somebody’s work, point it out in a teacher-like manner, indicating their mistake. Don’t ridicule the person or overtly complain. Also, always give credit where credit is due. Praising people brings out the best in them.

6. Be a team player.

Success is often a team effort. The quarterback doesn’t win the game by himself. Your starting pitcher might be a star but if the rest of the team doesn’t perform on offense, his talent doesn’t matter. You have to realize you’re one of the spokes that makes the wheel go around. Do your tasks to the best of your ability and trust others to do the same. You will all come out on top.

7. Take on one problem at a time.

People who lack organizational skills often feel overwhelmed when problems arise. The best solution is to tackle one thing at a time. Movie producers like Jerry Bruckheimer are famous for being able to do just that. The studio lowers the budget, an actor is being difficult, and a stuntman gets injured in an accident. You have to address one problem at a time, see it all the way through, and then move on.

8. Lead by example.

Always do your best and get things done the way you’d expect others to do them. It’s the domino effect; you will start a chain of events that will echo throughout the company. If you have a minimum of clout, others will automatically emulate your actions and soon everyone will be doing things your way.

9. Exercise patience.

There’s no such thing as overnight success. Even those who seem to have made their fortune instantly like the Internet adventurers of late have most probably been working on the projects for a long time. And even if they did, they still need time to solidify their position and product in the market. Success takes time and you should always look at the big picture. Focus on your long-term objectives.

10. Learn new things.

The marketplace is always evolving and you should always keep up. Read up on the technological advancements and new ways people are conducting business. You might even consider going back to college to get another degree. The idea is to always remain ahead of the game.

11. Be polite.

I once was confronted by a salesman in a store who told me to choose something or get out since he was busy. Do you think I bought something there? Do you think I ever went back? You must always be polite and enthusiastic with everyone, not just clients. We are judged by the way we act with people that will not have a hand in advancing our careers. Constantly apply good manners and proper etiquette.

12. Be consistent.

Imagine a plane taking off. In the beginning, a lot of energy is spent to simply get moving down the runway. But as speed and momentum take over, the plane is pulled forward and up into the sky, faster and further by the second. Consistent action, no matter how small, has more power than you ever imagined.

13. Express yourself clearly.

When you follow every step cautiously, the only thing that can keep you from unlimited triumph is your communication skills. Picture yourself in a meeting. Your boss asks for your opinion. You’re fundamentally in favor of the proposal but have a minor boggle with one of the clauses. You voice your concern in such a way that people think you disagree with the entire project.

Soon, you find yourself cast out as everyone distances themselves from you because they think you went off the wire. So you should always be clear as to why you think the way that you do. Back up your reasoning with facts and figures.

14. Have great phone manners.

No matter what business you are in, the telephone is one of the most important tools. Sometimes it’s even more important than computers, as it is the instrument with which we network. The individual on the other end of the line should feel like they have your undivided attention so you must give it to them. Don’t eat, drink, or chew gum while talking to someone. Moreover, it’s a great mark of respect to return phone calls promptly when possible.

15. Dress sharp.

Before you leave for the office, you should definitely take a moment to make sure you’re wearing the right clothes. Some might say that it’s not the clothes that make the person, but that’s absolutely false. The business world is as much about appearances as anything else.

If you dress like you’ve already conquered the world, people will treat you as if you really have. Come on, would you take Donald Trump seriously if he went around dressed like Kid Rock? From this point forward, always look your best.

16. Handle criticism gracefully.

When somebody criticizes you, assess whether the source is credible. It’s easy to disregard criticism and say that the person is just jealous, but you must realize that we seldom see ourselves the way other people do. If you know the critic is known to make gratuitous accusations, you may discard it. Otherwise, consider the advice constructive and do your best to rectify the situation.

17. Trust your plan.

You’ll have up weeks and down weeks, and frustrating weeks that make no sense at all. The tools and strategies you’re learning will help you build a plan that makes a healthier lifestyle almost inevitable. If you consistently make the right choices and build healthy habits, weight loss is literally just a matter of time.

Succeeding takes time and effort; we have all noticed that it comes more easily to some people than to others. It is the intangibles that set them apart. These powerful strategies, when put into practice, could be the difference between a life of mediocrity and one bursting with accomplishment.

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