Over a 24 year career, FBI Firearms instructors made us repeat the same series of actions on the firing range. After awhile, it got so repetitive that I wondered how I would fare in a shootout if I didn’t have my firearms instructor barking out orders on what to do next!
In fact, our repeated behavior patterns became involuntary. In short, they became a habit.
I no longer needed to think about what to do when pulling my gun and aiming it at a target. My actions were involuntary so my mind could be used for something more productive—like assessing the crisis unfolding in front of me.
Good habits are the product of mental toughness—managing your emotions, thoughts, and behavior in ways that set you up for success in business and life. Smart leaders use good habits to direct their time and energy into activities that are important to them as they move toward reaching their goals.
Here are 6 habits that smart leaders never forget:
1. Look for Happiness, Not Success
Smart leaders pursue the things in life that brings them happiness.
They are not seduced into thinking that success and happiness are the same things. When they hit tough times, they use mental toughness to keep moving forward because their heart and passion are hitched to a cause—failure or adversity is not enough to compel them to quit and move on and settle for something that provides less value and meaning in their life.
TIP: Ask yourself these two questions: “What will make me happy?” and “What will make me successful?” Do not mistakenly assume these two questions are one in the same.
2. Examine Every Mistake For Lessons Learned
Smart leaders know that mistakes teach you some of the most important lessons in life.
They understand that the only real mistake they can make in life is not learning from their misstep, or choosing to do nothing because they were too afraid of making another one.
TIP: Become a smart leader by taking chances—opportunities are where luck hides. It’s not about something falling into your lap; it’s about taking chances and finding your luck.
3. Explore All Opportunities, Whether You Feel Prepared Or Not
Smart leaders do not need to feel 100% ready when an opportunity arises.
They understand that all great opportunities will stretch them beyond their comfort zone. They will be stretched emotionally, intellectually, and philosophically.
TIP: Since luck hides in opportunities, move forward with mental toughness so you can manage your emotions, thoughts, and behavior in ways that will set you up for growth. These opportunities will continue to show up throughout your life, so make the most of them—even if you don’t feel 100% ready!
4. Focus On Priorities And Say “NO” To The Rest
Smart leaders know how to say no, both to themselves and others.
They have learned that self-control helps them avoid impulsive decisions, stress, and burnout. Saying “no” is very different from saying, “I don’t think I can.” Saying NO to things, people, and opportunities that are not a priority for them is a powerful way to exert self-control.
TIP: Saying NO is a way you can honor your goals and priorities so you can find the time to successfully achieve them.
5. Pursue Peak Performance, Not Perfection
Smart leaders focus on developing peak performance by continually moving into their discomfort zone.
They know that they will never reach their full potential if they become complacent and comfortable, so their grasp is always a bit beyond their reach.
TIP: Researchers agree that the gap between your skill level and your peak performance should hover around 4%. Anything more will discourage you from trying harder; anything less will not push you hard enough to move forward.
6. Cultivate A Culture of Flexibility
Smart leaders have an agile mind so they adapt to changes in their environment.
They know that fear of change is paralyzing and a major roadblock to their happiness. They learn how to embrace changes by continually placing themselves in situations where they are uncomfortable and change can be expected. And then, when they are confronted with the unknown in business and life, they are better able to predict their response.
TIP: Intentionally place yourself in situations where the outcome is not known. These situations will create new ways of thinking about obstacles and roadblocks that show up unexpectedly in your life. You will have the confidence to keep moving forward instead of reacting with fear and paralysis.
While success and happiness can be defined in many different ways, learn how to make these 6 habits your own.
What habits have helped make you successful?