What types of habits separate high-achievers from the rest of the population?
It’s an interesting question.
After all, your daily actions determine your life’s outcomes. So, look at someone’s habits if you want to understand their success.
Transform your habits, and you will transform your life.
It’s that simple.
Instead of just giving you examples, I will provide a simple framework for the 7 types of habits to live a full life.
That way, you create a personal plan and build better habits for your situation.
Let’s dive in!
Why 7 types of habits?
Living an optimal life requires a healthy balance in several dimensions.
For example, you can be very wealthy, but if your relationships are in shambles, how much is your money still worth?
Of course, set goals and priorities.
But also make sure you have some habits in place for each area that Tony Robbins describes as the Pyramid of Life and Mastery.
If you want to achieve meaningful success without sacrificing joy and happiness, you want to have different types of habits for each of these areas.
The bottom of the pyramid forms the basics, so you should certainly start there. For example, starting an exercise routine is one of the best first steps you can take if you’re a complete mess.
Physical health benefits the second layer, mental health.
Better physical and mental health benefits your ability to create relationships.
And so on.
Mastering each step of the pyramid is a personal transformation on its own. And while working from the bottom up is a good approach, you should adopt at least one habit for each stage of the pyramid as soon as possible.
Here’s how you can do that:
Type 1: Physical health habits
The first type of habit relates to your physical body. Poor health leads to lower energy levels and self-esteem, affecting every other area in the pyramid.
Pretty obvious, right?
Yet, unfortunately, so many people lack health habits. Why? Because humans love comfort. And the world caters to it. Today, you can get anything with the press of a button.
But at what cost?
It didn’t take me long to find an example.
According to Our World in Data, 39% of adults are overweight or obese. A shocking number if you consider that another large part of the world is still struggling with hunger and starvation.
And that’s just one statistic…
If you often experience fatigue or lack energy, audit your health habits. Which ones contribute to this behavior?
Then, think about a new health habit you could introduce.
Here are some examples:
- Going to bed and waking up at consistent times
- Get at least 7 hours of high-quality sleep.
- Cook every meal instead of takeaways
- Swap unhealthy snacks for healthy alternatives
- Start a 30-minute daily exercise routine
The best habit to adopt?
That depends on your goal, motivation, and schedule.
Say you want to start an exercise routine, what should you do? The best option is a habit you can stick with forever. Think of your habits as lifestyle decisions rather than quick tactics.
Do you prefer a team sport? Do you want to build muscle? Do you have a love for running? How much time would you like to invest every day?
Let those questions guide you to find the best habit.
But everyone should have a practice for one of the most essential types of habits. So, make maintaining your vehicle a priority.
Type 2: Mental health habits
The number of people with mental health issues is alarming.
The main problem?
The main problem?
No one taught you how to control your thoughts and manage your emotions. There’s no class in school about self-management.
And what do we do when mental health issues arise?
Rather than solving the underlying problem and providing useful solutions, they diagnose you and give you a bunch of pills.
That’s their solution?
Who benefits from that? Big pharmaceutical companies… But what about you? Pills give you short-term relief but at what cost?
It rarely benefits you long-term…
So, what else to do?
Adopt mental health habits. Become curious about your thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Seek to understand where they’re coming from.
Self-awareness is the keyword here.
Feelings and emotions are merely tools of the body. And when you become self-aware of them, you can act and solve the issues before it grows further.
There are different types of habits you can adopt here.
Here’s a list of things to try:
- Have habits for the physical body
- Spend time self-reflecting
- Use a journaling practice
- Go for a 4+ hour walk
- Start meditating
- Create a personal vision statement
- Use positive affirmations
- Cut down on social media
- And read more instead
Type 3: Social habits
We are social creatures, and we need connection.
That’s a given for extroverts, who gain energy from being around people. But introverts, like myself, need connection just as much.
Social interaction lifts you up.
However, the way we socialize matters. For example, I struggle in social settings like bars and clubs. Since that was my only social outlet, I felt destined to be alone.
Today, I learned that I need meaningful conversations with like-minded folks. So instead of going to bars and clubs, I prefer masterclasses and networking events on topics I enjoy.
Find out what social settings give you energy.
- Do you prefer bigger groups?
- Do you prefer 1:1 conversations?
- When do you feel most energized in social settings?
- Do you like to have many friends?
- Or do you prefer to have a few deeper relationships?
Everyone has social needs, but it’s also different for everyone.
And the key lesson I’ve learned is to find out what my social needs are and then cater to those needs. And I recommend you do the same.
Then, figure out some habits you can adopt.
- Want to make new connections? See if there are any weekly local meetups you can join.
- Looking for an intimate relationship? Try dating every other week.
- Want to stay in touch with close friends? Why not make sure you send them a regular text?
For most extroverts, a social habit is automatic. But if you’re an introvert, schedule time to connect with others – even if that requires you to get outside your comfort zone.
It’s worth the effort.
Type 4: Time habits
The next type of habit has everything to do with your most valuable resource: time.
And unfortunately, most people waste a ton of it. For example, take some of these work-related statistics from Zippia:
- 89% of workers admit to wasting time every day at work.
- 36% of a US workday is spent on non-work activities.
- Over 50% of our working time relates to meetings.
- 64% of employees admit to visiting non-work-related websites at work every day.
The reason may seem obvious at work. Most people have a job to get a paycheck, not because it’s meaningful to them.
But how often do you waste time in your personal life?
- How often do you scroll through social media for countless hours (without feeling fulfilled or rested)?
- How often do you engage in joyless activities only to kill time?
- And how often do you work on minor things that lack importance and avoid the daunting but meaningful tasks?
Back in the day, I used to play a ton of video games but rarely got real joy from them. Instead, it was a way to escape a void of boredom, frustration, and the lack of meaning in my life.
Even though I still play games today, it’s to recharge myself. I no longer use it as an escape mechanism. That’s a big difference.
What changed?
How can you regain control over your time?
It starts with a meaningful pursuit, a sense of purpose. What’s most important to you, and how can you prioritize those things?
The most challenging part?
It may include making uncomfortable changes, like learning new skills, changing careers, building new relationships, etc.
But to master your time, develop habits that allow you to spend most of it on meaningful work, fulfilling relationships, and interesting hobbies.
And never let other people determine how you should live your life.
Type 5: Career habits
There’s nothing wrong with having a job to get a paycheck…
… the thing is that a career can be so much more than that. What if you could gain purpose and joy from the item you spend so much time on?
It starts with a personal vision and goals.
That could mean a position in the C-suite, owning a successful business, having flexibility as a freelancer, or becoming the very best employee in what you do.
There’s no right or wrong path.
But you need to have a vision for your life.
Too many people feel empty inside because they overvalue money in their decision-making process. Instead, prioritize meaning and joy.
That’s what Insideout Mastery is all about.
Start within.
Find out what’s meaningful and joyful to you – and pursue that.
What types of habits do you need in this regard?
- A habit of reviewing your mission, ambition, and goals.
- A growth habit to consistently learn new skills, acquire knowledge, and develop traits that move you towards fulfilling your goals.
You are guaranteed to enjoy a meaningful career when you often seek clarity, pursue growth, and act on what you learn.
Type 6: Financial habits
We have all heard the phrase: money doesn’t buy happiness.
And while that’s true, not having any money certainly impacts the quality of life. And sometimes, it has disastrous consequences.
Everyone should aim for financial independence.
The problem?
Most people struggle financially. On average, Americans under 35 have less than 3.5K dollars in their bank account. And 58% of Americans have less than 5.000 in savings.
| Average savings amount | Share of Americans |
| Less than $1,000 | 42% |
| $1,000-$5,000 | 16% |
| $5,000-$10,000 | 9% |
| $10,000-$25,000 | 8% |
| $25,000-$50,000 | 5% |
| $50,000+ | 20% |
Most people lack money for a rainy day.
As a result, people experience financial insecurity and fear losing their job. You need basic financial habits to live an optimal life for success and happiness.
So, how do you get out of these statistics? How can you achieve financial independence, or better yet, financial freedom?
The principles are simple:
- Spend less than you earn;
- Save for a rainy day;
- Invest the difference.
You will never become financially independent if you spend more than you earn – regardless of how much you make. That’s why people who earn millions a year can still end up broke.
Develop habits to earn more, spend less or do both.
A good strategy is to tax yourself. Take a cut of your earnings and put it away. Here’s an illustrative example:
- First, 5% into a savings account
- Second, 5% into investments
- Then use the remaining 90% for living expenses
Once your savings account fills up to a specific number, say 3-6x your monthly income, you can allocate 10% to investments in yourself or businesses.
If your living expenses are too high, you’ll need to create a plan.
Can you cut your living expenses? You can even consider moving to a cheaper location, a smaller house, or sharing a place.
Or, can you earn more?
Whatever your strategy, make sure you adopt some good financial habits to create the freedom you desire.
Type 7: Spiritual and contribution habits
Making sure that your life is in order is a primary responsibility. But the next step to level up your life is through contribution.
It’s why so many successful people donate chunks of their money.
It feels good to give back to the world.
But money isn’t the only way to give back to the world. Other forms of contributing are through a donation of your:
- Time
- Money
- Energy
- Resources
Time is the most valuable donation. After all, it’s your most valuable resource that, once spent, you can never get back.
But there are smaller ways to make a difference too:
- Being respectful towards others, especially in disagreement.
- Recognizing others for the efforts they make – and doing that often.
- Making others feel heard by genuinely listening to them.
While there are degrees to your spiritual contribution, there’s no reason why you cannot develop this type of habit today.
Start small and then build it out.
Summary
There are seven types of habits that are essential for a fulfilling life:
- Physical health habits to maintain energy and vitality.
- Mental health habits to better navigate difficult moments.
- Social habits to connect with others.
- Time management habits to master your most valuable resource.
- Career habits to experience meaning, joy, and growth.
- Financial habits to achieve financial independence.
- Spiritual habits to give back to the world.
What are the best habits in each category?
That depends entirely on who you are, what’s important to you, and your goals and priorities. Start small and gradually develop more habits and improve existing ones.
Finally, there are many ways to combine different types of habits.
For example, play a team sport or join a company with a mission aligned with your values. Know what works for you and build your life around that.
The most effective way to ensure you’ll tap into all these habits is by developing a morning routine.
Do you want to unleash your full potential?
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