Everyone wants to live a happy and successful life, and nobody wants to settle for mediocrity. We all aspire to achieve greatness and be the best versions of ourselves. The good news is, anyone can achieve success and happiness if they possess certain traits and follow certain principles.

If we look at successful people like Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Lionel Messi, and many others, we will notice that they all possess certain traits that contribute to their success. These individuals come from different backgrounds – some of them were born into poverty, some are college dropouts, and some have learning difficulties. However, despite their challenges, they have gone on to achieve outstanding results in their personal and professional lives. And if they can do it, so can you.

Living a happy and successful life is not solely about material possessions like driving a sports car or living in a big mansion. It is more about finding enlightenment from within. As the quote goes, “If an egg is broken by an outside force, life ends. If broken by an inside force, life begins. Great things always begin from the inside.”

Here are seven tips on how to live a happy and successful life:

1. Be More Self-Centered: Being self-centered is not the same as being selfish. It means living life on your own terms and not worrying too much about what others think of you. Extraordinary people do not care how others perceive them. They live life the way they want without concerning themselves with societal expectations. Thomas Edison, for example, did not care about the opinions of others when he failed numerous times before inventing the light bulb. Be more self-centered and live life on your own terms.

2. Practice Minimalism: Happiness comes from detachment, not from material possessions. Being successful is not about owning luxury cars or living in mansions. It is about shining from within, using your capabilities to create value for others. Bill Gates got rich by inventing easy-to-use software systems that transformed people’s lives. Warren Buffet made his fortune through strategic investments. Minimalism is about focusing on your inner feelings and using what you already have to shine.

3. Maintain Physical and Mental Health: Health is wealth – without good health, you cannot enjoy life to the fullest. Take care of your physical and mental well-being. Cut down on alcohol consumption, quit smoking, and prioritize exercise and reading. Successful people like Xerox CEO Ursula Burns, GE CEO Jeff Immelt, Michelle Obama, and Twitter and Square CEO Jack Dorsey make time for exercise and self-care. Taking care of your health is crucial for being productive and achieving success.

4. Attach to a Meaningful Goal: Albert Einstein once said, “If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.” Set meaningful goals that are aligned with your passion and values. Material goals may provide temporary satisfaction, but they won’t keep you motivated in the long run. Define what success means to you, and set goals that truly matter to you. It’s not about the money or possessions, but the meaning behind your goals that drives you forward.

5. Be an Inverse Paranoid: Instead of thinking that the world is out to harm you, adopt the mindset that the world is supporting and helping you. Embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth. When faced with adversity, look for the possibilities and opportunities that may arise from it. Shift your perspective from fear and negativity to one of gratitude and optimism. This mindset will help you overcome obstacles and achieve success.

These are just a few tips on how to live a happy and successful life. By being self-centered, practicing minimalism, maintaining your health physically and mentally, attaching to meaningful goals, and being an inverse paranoid, you can create a life of happiness and success. Remember, success is not determined by your circumstances or background – it is determined by your mindset, actions, and the value you bring to others.