Have you ever wondered what the secret to success is? Is it working harder than everyone else? Having more talent? Being lucky? The truth is, success is not the result of one big thing, but rather the accumulation of a series of small habits that are repeated consistently over time. In this article, we will explore 15 small things you can incorporate into your daily routine that will help you become more intentional with your time and ultimately, more successful.

1. Define your priorities.

Before you can be intentional with your time, you need to understand what your priorities are. What are the three most important things in your life? Are you spending the majority of your time on those things? If not, it’s time to make a change. Spend some time thinking about how you want to spend your life and then create a plan to make it happen.

2. Set a schedule for the following day.

Time is our most precious resource and it’s important to use it wisely. Every evening, take a few minutes to create a schedule for the following day. This will help you stay focused on your priorities and avoid getting sidetracked by things that don’t matter.

3. Eat the frog.

Mark Twain once said, “Eat a live frog first thing every morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” In other words, tackle your most challenging task first thing in the morning. This will give you a sense of accomplishment and momentum that will carry over to other tasks throughout the day.

4. Be honest with the person in the mirror.

Successful people are honest with themselves about their strengths and weaknesses. They know when they work best and they set their goals accordingly. Be honest with yourself about your habits and tendencies, and use that information to create a plan that works for you.

5. Give yourself deadlines.

Parkinson’s Law states that work will expand to fill the time available for its completion. In other words, if you give yourself a week to complete a task, it will likely take you a week to do it. Use this to your advantage by setting deadlines for yourself. This will help you stay focused and avoid procrastination.

6. Minimize distractions.

Distractions can be a major productivity killer. Set your phone to silent, close your email, and avoid anything else that might pull your attention away from your work.

7. Pause.

It’s important to take care of yourself both physically and mentally. Make time each day for exercise or quiet reflection. This will help you recharge and stay focused on your goals.

8. Plan backward.

If you have a big goal, it can be helpful to plan backward to create a roadmap for achieving it. Break the goal down into smaller, manageable steps and then create a plan to accomplish each one.

9. Write it down.

Research has shown that the act of writing down your goals can significantly increase your chance of achieving them. Take the time to write down your goals and then refer to them often to stay focused.

10. Find an accountability partner.

Accountability partners can be a great source of motivation and support. Find someone who shares your goals and work together to hold each other accountable.

11. Compare yourself to others only to fuel your determination.

Comparing yourself to others can be a recipe for unhappiness and self-doubt. Instead, focus on comparing yourself to your own goals and using the success of others as inspiration to keep pushing yourself forward.

12. Seek out a mentor.

If there is an area of your life where you would like to improve, consider seeking out a mentor. Look for someone who has achieved the kind of success you are striving for and learn from their experience.

13. Celebrate small victories.

Success is not all about achieving big goals. Take time to celebrate small victories along the way. This will help keep you motivated and make the journey more enjoyable.

14. Focus on progress, not perfection.

Perfection is an illusion. Instead of striving for perfection, focus on making progress. Take small steps every day to move closer to your goals and celebrate your progress along the way.

15. Take time to reflect.

It’s important to take time regularly to reflect on where you are and where you want to be. This will help you stay focused on your goals and make any adjustments necessary to achieve them.

In conclusion, success is not a destination, but rather a journey. By incorporating these 15 small things into your daily routine, you can become more intentional with your time and ultimately, more successful. Remember that success is not about achieving perfection, but rather making progress every day toward your goals. So take small steps, celebrate your victories, and never stop striving to be the best you can be.