How to Be Successful in Life

Regardless of how old you are, where you live, or what your career goals are, more than likely your ultimate goals in life are to be happy and successful. The key to being successful is more than just having money and making your mark. It is identifying your passions, living purposefully, and enjoying the present moment. This wikiHow will show you how to achieve both external and internal success, as well as putting yourself in the right environment.

Identify your passions. Before you can achieve success, you will have to define what success means to you. While it may take years to realize what you want to do with your life, identifying your current passions, interests, and values will help you set goals and give your life a sense of meaning. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What do you want your legacy to be?
• How would you like to be remembered by others?
• How do you want to make your community a better place?
• What are some favorite subjects of interest in your life?

Make a list of your goals, and what you might do to achieve them. Be sure to address both short-term and long-term goals; try to think beyond financial/career goals.

• Consider which subjects you enjoyed studying in school, and why. This can help give you an idea of what you may be best at or more interested in.

1. Live purposefully. In order to achieve your dreams and be the person you want to be, you will have to start paying attention to your actions. Ask yourself, "Is what I'm doing going to lead me to where I want to be in life?"

   • If you find yourself constantly bored, daydreaming about the future or past or counting down the minutes until the day ends, it is probably because you feel disconnected from what you're doing. Consider changing careers or majors to a field that you care about, but remember such a move could have unexpected consequences. Does the job you are considering pay enough to support yourself? Is it something you might get bored with eventually? Do you really want to commit to that job?
   • Cherish your time. Try to spend your free time doing things that you enjoy doing, rather than wasting time. For example, rather than spending your weekends watching television, spend them partaking in your hobbies or spending time with loved ones and new friends.
   • Remember that the concept of "wasted time" is relative. Not everything you do has to be productive in the conventional sense, but activities should be engaging and enjoyable.
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1. Make a commitment and stay with it. Planning is not sufficient; trying hard to keep your word is also important.
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   Be educated. Education gives you the knowledge, skills, and credibility to achieve your maximum potential. In terms of financial success, statistics have shown that the more education you have (i.e. the higher degree you achieve), the more money you are likely to make.

   • In 2011, the median weekly earnings for high school graduates was $638 while those with bachelor's degrees made $1053. That same year, those with masters or doctoral degrees made $1263 and $1551 respectively.
   • Not all education has to be formal. Apprenticeships and long-term training programs are also positively correlated with higher incomes. Obtaining a Certificate in your field can help to increase your salary.
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   Manage your finances. Learning how to manage your money will help ensure your financial stability over time, regardless of your income.

   • Keep track of your expenses. Review your bank statements often and notice where you spend your money. If you do your banking online, be sure to keep personal records as well. This will help you prevent over-spending and ensure that your bank statements are correct.
   • Understand your income. When calculating your income, be sure to take into account the federal, state, and social security taxes that will be deducted from your gross pay. Don't overlook miscellaneous deductions, such as health insurance premiums, savings bonds and loan payments. The resulting number is your net pay, which is what you end up taking home with you.
   • Prioritize spending. Your first priority should be spending money on basic necessities like food, shelter, and clothing. Don't spend money on luxuries like expensive clothes, cars, or vacations until you have first satisfied your basic necessities. Be honest with yourself and differentiate between your basic needs and your luxuries.
   • Save money. Every month, you should deposit some of your money into a savings account. Consider asking your employer to directly deposit a portion of your income into your savings account.
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   Manage your time. Putting off important tasks until the last minute can cause you unnecessary stress, and increase the likelihood of errors and negligence. Manage your time so that you have enough time to complete tasks effectively.

   • Use a paper or electronic planner to help keep you organized throughout the day, week, and month.
   • Set reminders on your smart phone and make use of its electronic timer for better time management.
   • Make a list of all the things you need to do in a given day, and check off each task as you complete it. This will help you stay organized and motivated.

MEDITATION

I'm now 33 and have been meditating for almost nine years. I started because friends kept telling me it would be helpful for the anxiety and compulsive eating that resulted from a traumatic incident. I honestly didn't want to meditate because I assumed it would be "New-Agey" and weird. However, the difficulties with food made me willing to at least try.

I practice secular Mindfulness Meditation, which means I focus on being aware of the present moment. Of course I get lost in thoughts-like planning something for work-and then I realize I'm thinking and instead just watch the thoughts pass by like clouds in the sky. Over time, I found that, as I became curious about my anxiety and food cravings-rather than thinking they had to go away-I was able to be calmer and more compassionate about them.

Not only has meditating helped me deal with emotional and physical pain and stress, but it has also helped me feel more comfortable in my own skin. My inner-critic no longer has a strangle-hold on me. As I become more compassionate toward myself, I'm also more sure of myself and kinder when relating to others. I am finding that the world is a safer and more beautiful place to be.

—Klia Bassing