The conventional wisdom of success often relies on willpower, motivation, and forcing ourselves to change, which tends to be ineffective at best and downright wrong at worst. The truth is that humans are designed to combat our limited willpower through habit formation, and incorporating small, simple habits into our daily routine can help us achieve success. In this article, we’ll explore 15 simple habits that will make you successful and create momentum in your life.

1. Gratitude
Expressing gratitude has been shown to increase well-being and help individuals focus on what’s working in their lives. By shifting our focus from our problem-seeking mindset to what we’re grateful for, we can set a positive tone for the day. Start your day by writing down three things you’re grateful for in the morning.

2. Airplane Mode
Protecting our attention from endless distractions is crucial. Instead of immediately grabbing your phone and starting the day off being reactive, take control and start the day on your terms. Start the day on airplane mode for at least 15 minutes and work your way up to 60 minutes or more.

3. Physical Movement
Physical movement is not only vital for our health but also for our mindset and neurochemistry. Incorporate physical activity into your daily routine by timing yourself doing one activity for at least 10 minutes.

4. Creative Work
Engaging in creative work every day can flex a much-needed muscle that translates into other projects you’re working on. Set aside at least 20 minutes every day to work on something creative.

5. Appreciation
Sending appreciation messages to people can deepen connections and make us feel better. Make it a habit to send at least one appreciation message every single day.

6. Focused Time
Less is more when it comes to productivity. Set aside focused time in your day with 25-minute Pomodoro sessions at least once a day.

7. Mindfulness
Incorporate mindfulness and meditation into your daily routine to increase well-being and boost creativity.

8. Journaling
Journaling can provide clarity, amplify meaning, and help you to recognize patterns of thinking and behavior. Make it a habit to journal once a day for at least five minutes.

9. Learn Daily
Learn for at least 10 minutes a day to gain above-average expertise in nearly any field. Set a marker for learning every day, whether it’s reading ten pages a day or a specific time you’re blocking out.

10. Close Open Loops
Close at least three open loops every day to create clarity and practice the skill of decision-making.

11. Set Boundaries
Set boundaries to protect your time, energy, and attention. Find one way every week to ensure you protect your time, whether it’s creating a calendar or having a conversation with someone about your current focus.

12. Seek Novelty
Introduce novelty into your daily routine by trying something new, whether it’s changing your workout routine, reading a book in a different genre, or taking a new route home from work.

13. Celebrate Wins
Recognize your own growth by celebrating your wins. By doing so, you’ll focus on what is working, harness progress, and drown out the part of you that relies on pointing out how you could be further along. Celebrate three wins every day by writing them down.

14. Prioritize White Space
Create pockets of white space in your life to unplug, recharge, and get some much-needed downtime in a world full of stimuli. Carve out daily white space as a habit and remember that it’s much less about quantity than it is about quality.

15. Shutdown Routine
Have a shutdown routine to switch off and unwind from the day. The personal growth space is littered with morning rituals for success, but it’s equally crucial to have a routine to shut off at the end of the day.

In conclusion, success is not about forcing ourselves to change or relying solely on willpower and motivation. Instead, it’s about incorporating small, simple habits into our daily routine that allow us to make progress towards our goals. By following the 15 successful habits outlined in this article, you can create momentum in your life and move towards your goals with ease.