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12 Things Successful People Don’t Want You To Know About Creating A Fulfilling Life

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These are the not-so-secret secrets to success.

An elderly woman with gray hair sits at a desk, gazing thoughtfully out of the window. She rests her chin on her hand, and a laptop, cup, and small plant are on the desk. Sunlight streams in through large windows in the background.

Success comes in many different forms, and there are certain truths about attaining that success, many of which are not widely known or accepted. Here are some things that you need to realize if you are to taste the sweet joy of achieving something great.

1. There is no reward without risk.

A person in a red hoodie works on a laptop at a long wooden desk by large windows in a modern building. Natural light floods the space, and the view outside is slightly blurred, suggesting an urban setting.

Few successful people have attained what they did without some measure of risk. Lifting heavier weights comes with the risk of injury, and starting a business comes with a risk of financial failure. The key is to remember that nothing of real worth was ever achieved by playing it completely “safe”.

2. Being comfortable with discomfort is immensely beneficial.

A person with short hair and a beard wears black-framed glasses, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression. The background is blurred.

Part of your journey towards success will undoubtedly involve discomfort—either physical or mental, depending on your end goal. Learn to be comfortable with this discomfort instead of avoiding it or moving to alleviate it, and you’ll become much more resilient, as well as more likely to reach your target.

3. It’s okay to not have everything figured out all at once.

A man with glasses and gray hair works intently on a laptop at a table in a modern kitchen. He is wearing a blue sweater, and there is an open notebook with a pen nearby.

Although you might believe that successful people woke up one day with a map to greatness in their minds, this isn’t the case at all. It’s completely normal to not have an idea of where to go and to fill in the blanks as you move along, rather than a meticulous plan to adhere to from start to finish.

4. Dedication is more important than you know.

A woman with long red hair types on a laptop at a cozy café. She is wearing a red polka-dotted dress and appears focused on her work. Pendant lights hang above her, and there are plants and a glass of water nearby. The atmosphere is warm and inviting.

Many people wake up in the morning and absolutely do not want to do The Thing that’ll help them get closer to their goals. Their quads hurt and they don’t want to hit the gym. They’re tired and don’t want to reach their daily 5k word goal for their novel. But they do it anyway.

5. Being organized will make your life significantly easier.

A woman with dark hair, tied in a ponytail, is seated at a wooden desk in an office, analyzing a chart with a pencil. Two computer monitors, a keyboard, a mouse, a glass of water, and open documents are on the desk. The background shows bookshelves and large windows.

Keeping files and folders, and using apps to keep you on track will make your life a lot easier than simply trying to stay abreast of everything on your own. We all need reminders at times, and if you can’t afford a personal assistant, use what you have available to keep you on schedule.

6. All work and no play will drive a person insane.

A man with gray hair is sitting on a bus, resting his head on his hand against the window, appearing to be sleeping. He is wearing a light button-up shirt and has a strap across his shoulder. The background shows an unfocused passenger.

Whenever something is unbalanced in nature, failure to thrive is inevitable. Just like a plant will wilt and keel over if it gets too much sun (or too much water), a person who works 24/7 and doesn’t take time for replenishment and personal pursuits will wither and fail to thrive as well.

7. There are many different ways to go about doing something, and what’s “right” for one person may be wrong for another.

Two men are running on an outdoor track. The man in the foreground is wearing a grey tank top and blue shorts, while the man in the background is wearing a blue outfit. They are running on a red track with green grass and trees visible in the background.

One person might reach their productivity goals with the help of a metric ton of coffee, while another will achieve theirs with green tea and hot yoga sessions. Determine the approach that works best for you, regardless of what other people recommend. Just because it worked for them, doesn’t mean it’ll suit you.

8. There’s always room to learn more from others.

You might be an absolute master at your craft, but there’s an elderly craftsperson in another country whose mastery puts yours to shame. A wise person will approach that elder and ask if they can learn some of their techniques. Nobody has ever reached a point where there’s nothing left for them to learn.

9. Nobody can do everything themselves.

A group of five people sitting around a table, collaborating and discussing. They are looking at documents and blueprints, smiling and engaged in conversation. The atmosphere appears positive and productive.

A person who tries to do everything on their own is a person who’s going to burn out or have a nervous breakdown. It takes a village to do anything of real importance, so be sure to lean on those around you for support—whether it’s employees, friends, or family members.

10. Boundaries are vitally important for everyone involved.

A woman with curly brown hair holds her hand up in a "stop" gesture, her palm facing outward. She has a serious expression, wearing a necklace with a cross pendant. The background is a solid blue color.

Anyone who’s spent a fair amount of time with children knows that they appreciate structure, schedules, and boundaries. In truth, people don’t actually grow out of that: just about everyone is more comfortable when they know which boundaries to work within. Set fair ones, defend them for your own peace, and respect others’ boundaries in turn.

11. Self-care is a top priority.

A man with a beard is lying on a gray sofa, propped up against green and orange cushions, reading a book. He is wearing a casual, light-colored outfit and appears relaxed in a comfortable, well-lit room.

You won’t be successful at anything if you get so run down that you end up bedridden for months. Self-care goes beyond occasional shiatsu treatments and kale smoothies: it means recognizing when you need to rest and replenish, instead of powering onwards and damaging yourself (and delaying progress) in the process.

12. Success is measured in individual terms, not someone else’s ideas or expectations.

A smiling person with a shaved head is standing against a gray wall with their arms crossed. They are wearing a blue denim shirt over a white t-shirt and bracelets on their left wrist.

Someone else’s idea of success might involve becoming a millionaire, while another’s may revolve around leaving their community in a better, healthier state than how they found it. Determine how you measure success as an individual, and never mind how other people may choose to define it. This goal is yours—not theirs.

About The Author

Finn Robinson has spent the past few decades travelling the globe and honing his skills in bodywork, holistic health, and environmental stewardship. In his role as a personal trainer and fitness coach, he’s acted as an informal counselor to clients and friends alike, drawing upon his own life experience as well as his studies in both Eastern and Western philosophies. For him, every day is an opportunity to be of service to others in the hope of sowing seeds for a better world.