10 Things to Make You More Successful

Simple, intentional habits like time management, strategic investments, and effective communication can significantly enhance personal and professional success.

Self-help books take up one of the largest sections of shelves at any major bookstore. But you don’t always need to read another book before you can make small changes that will help. Fifty years of business ownership, more than 40 years in management consulting, and 20 years teaching at a large business school have taught me that there is always something one can do to be more successful.

Here are my thoughts:

1.  Get up early every day. No later than 6 a.m. – 5 a.m. or earlier is better. This is a time you can get work done that takes intense concentration because you will have fewer interruptions.
2.  Work off of a to-do list. Do what you least want to do first every day. That way you will get something done that needs to be done and feel better all day.
3.  Buy a good battery case for your cellphone. That way it will always make it through the day on a single charge. I don’t know why everyone doesn’t do this.
4.  Return all phone calls promptly. Leave a message when you do. If you cannot leave a message, send a text that you returned the call. It shows people you care.
5. Return all emails and texts promptly. See above.
6.  Any time you might need an audit trail for something, put it in an email. Then you know it’s there and can always go back to it. This can save untold grief later.
7.  Send thank you notes. Everyone loves them and if you get some personalized stationary you will look like you have some class.
8.  Put 10 percent of what you make into the stock market. Even if you change investments, don’t ever pull money out of that account. Keep reinvesting.
9. Buy a single family house in the best neighborhood you can afford that is close to the center of town where you live. These always hold their value and will appreciate the most over time.
10.  In business, spend your money on things that make you money. In the AEC business, my experience is that is people, IT, and marketing. Most everything else is just a cost that raises overhead.

I don’t know everything. The older I get the more aware I am of all the things I don’t know. That said, I have complete confidence that if you will just do these 10 things, you will be more successful! 

Mark Zweig is Zweig Group’s chairman and founder. Contact him at mzweig@zweiggroup.com. This article originally appeared in The Zweig Letter. Reprinted with permission.