Achieving career success often requires more than just talent and hard work. We asked industry experts to share one habit they’ve developed that has significantly contributed to their career success. Here are their strategies that you can implement to unlock your full potential and advance your career.
- Pursue Continuous Learning in Your Field
- Master Time Management for Success
- Schedule Weekly Self-Reflection Sessions
- Practice Daily Intentional Reflection
- Challenge Yourself with Uncomfortable Asks
- Conduct Daily Business Check-Ins
- Prioritize Deep Work for Real Progress
- Empower Your Team Through Delegation
- Develop a Task Prioritization System
- Protect Your Time with Structured Boundaries
- Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity
- Focus on High-Value Tasks First
- Keep a Daily Experience Log
- Challenge Self-Doubt with Targeted Questions
- Dedicate Time for Professional Development
- Cultivate Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn
- Be Persistent in Your Career Journey
17 Habits for Career Success
Pursue Continuous Learning in Your Field
A habit that has significantly propelled my career forward is my relentless pursuit of understanding and learning in the field of movement science. This dedication to ongoing education has been crucial in developing cutting-edge manual therapy techniques that improve patient outcomes. For example, after attending specialized seminars at Michigan State University, I improved my spinal mobilization skills, which contributed to successfully treating patients with complex conditions like Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.
To implement this habit, I recommend setting aside regular time to explore new advancements in your field. This could involve attending workshops, taking online courses, or even diving into scholarly articles. By continuously expanding your knowledge and skills, you’ll not only improve your professional capabilities but also provide more effective and personalized solutions for those you serve. Sharing this gained knowledge with your team can further amplify its impact, fostering a culture of innovation and excellence.
Lou Ezrick
CEO, Evolve Physical Therapy + Sports Rehabilitation
Master Time Management for Success
One habit that has truly shaped my career and how I show up every day is becoming a deliberate steward of my time. I don’t just mean blocking off a meeting or scribbling a to-do list. I mean scheduling everything from prep time before a call, follow-up after a meeting, breaks, deep work, eating, and even space to breathe and reset.
It’s about building your day around what really matters so you can stay on course and complete what is important.
When your calendar reflects your actual goals, your energy, your priorities, and your capacity—it becomes more than just a schedule. It becomes your roadmap. This habit has helped me stay productive and well. It centers me on what truly moves the needle and reminds me to put first things first, even the tasks I might normally put off.
Managing time this way is a next-level skill. And it’s essential if you want to grow something that lasts. This habit has allowed me to build a substantial career and business, and I use it to help others realize their next level of success.
Julie Riga
Executive Coach, Stay on Course
Schedule Weekly Self-Reflection Sessions
Regularly checking in with myself to assess what’s working well, what’s not, and what adjustments I need to make has helped me continue growing professionally and stay clearly focused on my goals. Without dedicated reflection, it’s easy to keep working hard without necessarily knowing whether your efforts are effective or aligned with what truly matters most.
To build this habit yourself, schedule a weekly reflection session in your calendar. It doesn’t need to take long. About thirty minutes to an hour is enough, but make sure it’s consistent, just like any other important commitment. During this time, ask yourself direct but constructive questions, such as: “Which tasks or decisions had the best outcomes, and why? What slowed me down or caused frustration? In what areas can I realistically improve?” Be open and honest with yourself, and write down your answers.
By consistently reflecting on your progress, you will increase self-awareness, recognize patterns more clearly, and direct your efforts toward actions that truly move you forward.
Bayu Prihandito
Psychology Consultant, Life Coach, Founder, Life Architekture
Practice Daily Intentional Reflection
One habit that has significantly contributed to long-term success is setting aside time each day for intentional reflection. This isn’t about overanalyzing, but about creating space to zoom out and connect daily actions with long-term goals. In leadership, it’s easy to get pulled into constant execution. But stepping back—even briefly—helps ensure decisions aren’t just reactive, but strategic and values-driven. That pause has often been the difference between a quick fix and a lasting solution.
This habit started with just ten quiet minutes at the end of the day, reviewing what worked, what didn’t, and why. Over time, it sharpened clarity, improved emotional resilience, and strengthened decision-making under pressure. It’s simple, but powerful—and completely accessible to anyone willing to slow down just enough to think ahead.
Anupa Rongala
CEO, Invensis Technologies
Challenge Yourself with Uncomfortable Asks
I engage in “uncomfortable asks” every week, without fail. I reach out to a mentor I admire, pitch a dream client cold with zero introduction, or confidently ask for a testimonial or better rate. This micro-habit has completely rewired my risk tolerance. I’ve learned that fear doesn’t mean stop—it means signal.
Anyone can build this habit using a weekly challenge system. Write down one ask that makes your stomach tighten. Do it quickly before your brain talks you out of it. You don’t need a yes—you just need the repetition. Over time, rejection becomes data, not identity. That mindset has forever changed my business ceiling.
Jason Hennessey
CEO, Hennessey Digital
Conduct Daily Business Check-Ins
I’ve spent more than 15 years in the world of manufacturing. I’ve assisted large pharmaceutical organizations in repairing their plants and streamlining their systems. I’ve spearheaded change in more than 80 various manufacturing facilities. Now, I operate a company that assists cosmetic and skincare organizations in launching their products quickly, safely, and intelligently.
How did I end up here? Much of my success stems from one simple habit.
I spend every day checking on how things are actually going in the business. I look beyond numbers on a screen; I see where the work is occurring. I observe how products are produced. I check if the systems are functioning correctly. I check in with the team. I inquire. I ensure the process is clean, clear, and fast.
In the healthcare world, physicians visit patients daily to ensure that they are healing. I perform the same functions, but on machines, humans, and systems.
This habit helps me:
- Rectify small problems before they escalate
- Ensure products comply with quality regulations (such as GMP)
- Keep the team engaged and on standby
- Deliver results in half the time, often in 6-8 weeks
This habit helps us remain quick, adaptable, and dependable.
You don’t have to be a CEO to begin this habit. Give it a try:
- Choose something you’d like to improve in—your job, a specific project, even your daily routine at home.
- Check it each day at the same time.
- List what is working and what isn’t working.
- Fix one small item every day.
This daily exercise builds confidence. In time, you’ll notice significant gains, and so will the people around you.
Being an expert isn’t simply a matter of using big words or sporting a fancy title. It’s putting in the effort day in and day out and enabling others to do the same, better.
This single habit has served me well in advancing from working for large companies to starting my own. It is nothing special. It is simply a matter of showing up and paying attention, consciously.
And that’s something that anyone can accomplish.
Vincent Caballer
CEO, Medpak Solutions
Prioritize Deep Work for Real Progress
It involves setting aside dedicated time for deep work. In today’s world, it’s easy to get lost in constant emails, meetings, and quick tasks. But I’ve learned that real progress only happens when you remove distractions and truly focus. For me, this means turning off my phone, closing unnecessary tabs, and committing to hours of uninterrupted work. This habit might sound hard to fit into a busy schedule, but it’s actually what makes everything else smoother and more effective.
For example, when I dive into strategy work or big picture projects without interruptions, I produce far better ideas. It’s in those quiet, focused hours that I solve complex problems and make decisions that matter. The more I prioritize this, the more productive I become overall. The result is a continuous cycle of growth and accomplishment. If you want to see real progress in your work, try blocking out time for deep work—no distractions, no multitasking. It’ll transform the way you approach tasks and ultimately drive your success.
Justin Abrams
Founder & CEO, Aryo Consulting Group
Empower Your Team Through Delegation
One habit that has helped me grow as a leader is delegating tasks and trusting my team. Initially, I struggled with letting go of control, but I realized that empowering others leads to better results. To implement this habit, others can begin by identifying tasks they don’t need to handle personally and start handing them off to capable team members. Trust is key—by providing clear expectations and support, you create a sense of ownership within your team and free yourself to focus on higher-level tasks.
Mark Childress
Attorney, Law Offices of Mark M. Childress, PLLC
Develop a Task Prioritization System
It took some time for me to devise a personal habit to combat procrastination. Each morning, I compile a list of tasks to accomplish by day’s end, prioritizing them accordingly. Urgent matters take precedence, and I refuse to leave until they’re resolved, even if it means staying late into the night, a habit from my younger years. I put a cut-off on the lower-priority tasks on my list that don’t absolutely need to be done that day.
Unfinished tasks roll over to the next day’s agenda, ensuring nothing slips through the cracks. By week’s end, my goal is always to have the list cleared. I’ve noticed procrastination tends to creep in during the afternoon, but the list serves as motivation to finish promptly and avoid extended office hours. This habit, I feel, is one of the best habits I have for being a successful business leader.
Evan McCarthy
President and CEO, SportingSmiles
Protect Your Time with Structured Boundaries
One habit significantly contributing to my career success is ruthlessly protecting my time and energy through structured boundaries. As someone running multiple brands, I’ve learned that success doesn’t come from doing more; it comes from doing the right things with focus and intention. I block time for strategy, creative thinking, and high-impact decision-making—and I don’t let meetings, DMs, or distractions interrupt that.
For others looking to implement this, start by identifying your peak productivity windows and protecting them like your business depends on them—because it does. Set clear “deep work” hours, limit context switching, and automate or delegate anything that doesn’t require your brain. Over time, this habit not only improves productivity but also helps you lead with clarity, creativity, and confidence because you’re no longer reacting to everything. You’re choosing what gets your attention.
Kristin Marquet
Founder & Creative Director, Marquet Media
Embrace Failure as a Learning Opportunity
Instead of fearing failure, I’ve developed the habit of embracing it as a learning opportunity. Don’t let setbacks discourage you. Instead, reflect on what went wrong and how things can be improved next time. Shift your mindset to view mistakes as stepping stones, and keep a journal to track misfires and the lessons learned. This allows you to approach challenges with a growth mindset, knowing that each mistake gets you closer to success.
Mick S. Grewal
Founder/Managing Partner, Grewal Law
Focus on High-Value Tasks First
One habit that changed the game for me? Relentless prioritization. Every day, I ask: “What’s the highest-value thing I can do today to move the needle?” And then—I do that first. Not emails, not busy work, not “feeling productive.” The one thing that actually grows the business.
Most people drown in low-value tasks. They’re busy but don’t achieve success. Why? Because they confuse activity with achievement. But success doesn’t come from doing more. It comes from doing what matters most—repeatedly, without distraction.
Here’s how you implement it:
1. Every night, write down the one thing that would make the biggest difference tomorrow.
2. First thing in the morning, do that first—before meetings, before checking your phone, before the chaos starts.
3. Protect that time like it’s a million-dollar investment—because it is.
Dave Lavinsky
President, PlanPros
Keep a Daily Experience Log
One habit that’s had a serious impact on my career growth is keeping a simple “Daily XP Log.” At the end of each workday, I take five minutes to jot down what I accomplished, where I struggled, and what small wins I want to acknowledge. It sounds basic, but that daily check-in helps track progress in a way that to-do lists never did.
I started it during a stretch where I felt like I was busy all the time but getting nowhere. After a week of logging, I noticed I was spending tons of time on reactive tasks—and almost none on the projects that actually moved my career forward. That clarity changed how I prioritized my days.
To implement it, just pick a consistent time (right before logging off works great) and do a short brain-dump. No need for fancy templates–a simple doc or notebook is enough. The goal is to turn your day into something you can learn from, not just get through. Over time, those small reflections stack up like XP—and you’ll start noticing patterns that help you make smarter moves.
Murray Seaton
Founder and CEO of Hypervibe / Health & Fitness Entrepreneur, Hypervibe (Vibration Plates)
Challenge Self-Doubt with Targeted Questions
To get in front of my tendency to let self-doubt rule, I ask myself a series of questions:
- Do I have the knowledge and skills necessary to lean into this space, solve this problem, or make a positive difference or impact?
- If not, do I have enough to build upon?
- If yes to number 1 or number 2, if I didn’t do it, who would?
- If no one would, then clearly I should. If others would, would they do it better? If not a definite yes, then I still should.
Forcing myself to imagine I was already leaning into the space, highlighting my knowledge and skills, and challenging the imposter syndrome voice before it even arises has allowed me to create a unique and fulfilling career that I couldn’t have even imagined a decade ago!
Ashley E. Poklar
Clinical Director, Sentinel Foundation
Dedicate Time for Professional Development
As you progress in your career and continue to be busy with meetings, emails, projects, etc., it’s often easy to neglect professional development. A habit that I’ve developed that has helped me to be successful is spending approximately one hour a month on something career-oriented outside of the day-to-day activities. For example, I intentionally set time aside to look through Slack groups I’m a member of, take time to read newsletters I receive, or write a thoughtful LinkedIn post.
This practice has significantly contributed to my career success because not only have I learned something new, but I’ve also been able to meet new people, enhance my skill set, and remain up-to-date with current trends and technology.
Megan Dias
Career Services Coach, Parsity
Cultivate Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn
One habit that has significantly contributed to my career success is actively managing my professional presence on LinkedIn to cultivate a personal brand. In today’s competitive job market, technical expertise alone won’t set you apart. To accelerate your career, you must take ownership of your professional narrative and position yourself as a thought leader. LinkedIn has been a powerful tool in helping me showcase my expertise, connect with leaders, and ensure my contributions are visible to the right people. This habit has led to career opportunities, new connections, and an expanded influence. Here’s how I executed it:
Your LinkedIn profile is often the first impression you make with potential employers or collaborators. It should reflect your skills, values, and aspirations. I’ve ensured my profile highlights not just job titles but my impact, contributions, and ambitions. A compelling profile helps you stand out, attract opportunities, and align with long-term goals.
Posting and engaging with relevant content has been key to positioning myself as an expert. Whether sharing articles, commenting on trends, or offering insights, my active participation keeps me visible and establishes credibility. Engaging consistently ensures I stay top-of-mind, keeping my brand connected to meaningful conversations.
Effective networking isn’t just about adding connections; it’s about building meaningful, mutually beneficial relationships. I focus on professionals who align with my goals or whose work I admire. Initiating genuine conversations, sharing knowledge, and fostering relationships has led to mentorship and career growth.
Staying informed is crucial to remaining relevant. I follow leaders, organizations, and thought influencers to stay up to date. Engaging with their content opens doors for knowledge-sharing, expands my visibility, and enhances my influence.
Ultimately, the true value of your achievements and skills lies in how you share them with the world. Acquiring new certifications or mastering a skill is only part of the equation—without visibility, their impact remains limited. By actively managing your profile, cultivating your personal brand, and engaging with your network, you unlock new opportunities, build lasting connections, and position yourself for sustained success.
Geraldine Olea
Diversity Advocate | Media Contributor | Founder & Owner, Academy Olea
Be Persistent in Your Career Journey
One strategy for building a successful career is to be persistent. When you’re first starting in your career, it can be hard to know how to get ahead. You might find yourself working long hours, doing the same tasks daily, and being unsure how to move up the ladder or even if there is a ladder! But if you’re persistent and keep showing up every day with your best foot forward, you’ll soon see results.
Your boss will notice that you’re always willing to go above and beyond what’s expected of you, and they’ll take notice when you suggest new ideas that could help their business grow. And as those small wins increase over time, eventually, people will start noticing what an asset you are to the team, and before long…BOOM! You’re promoted!
Nick Cotter
Founder, Growann
