In order to achieve true success in life, it is important to adopt certain habits that allow individuals to live their lives to the fullest potential. Contrary to popular belief, success and happiness don’t simply arrive one day, waiting at our doorstep to provide comfort for the rest of our lives. The most successful people in history have gained their success through diligent practice and a commitment to consistent personal growth. From taking breaks to spending time with loved ones, here are six essential habits for success and happiness:

1. Take breaks

Alan Cohen once said, “There is virtue in work and there is virtue in rest. Use both and overlook neither.” This means that individuals do not have to spend every waking hour in their life working as hard as possible to be successful. Hard work is important but taking breaks can be just as beneficial to our overall well-being. Engaging in hobbies and leisure activities can help individuals gain a fresh perspective, enhancing their overall productivity and creativity.

2. Ask questions

The most philosophical humans throughout history lived their entire lives as skeptics, constantly asking probing questions to better understand everything they possibly could about our world. Scientists today are never content when their questions and wonderings are answered. Rather than being satisfied with one piece of knowledge, they use that information to formulate even more educated questions. It’s through this constant cycle of questioning and discovery that we’ve grown as much as we have as a species. Therefore, it is important to constantly question and explore to reach greater heights.

3. Laugh and enjoy life

Even in tough times, we must remember to laugh and enjoy life. Poet and author Maya Angelou once said, “I am serious, so I laugh a lot. You need to laugh. You don’t laugh enough.” Being able to muster up courage to laugh even in the face of adversity will ultimately help individuals appreciate life on a much greater scale. It’s important to find humor and joy in our daily lives.

4. Keep learning

We live in a time where nearly all the knowledge ever known to humankind is available at our fingertips. We should not waste the gift of intelligence that we have been blessed with. A commitment to lifelong learning ensures that we can continue to grow and improve ourselves, both personally and professionally. According to Albert Einstein, “Once you stop learning, you start dying.” Our brains are the most powerful muscles in our body, so we must exercise them to keep them in shape.

5. Be thankful

As a society, we tend to be thankful for what we have only during the month of November, and perhaps when a tragedy strikes. We are continually fed the idea that we should never be satisfied with what we have and always aim to get more. However, it is important to be thankful for what we currently have. Oprah Winfrey advises, “Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more. If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” If we always want more, there will always be more to want. On the other hand, when we value what we have, we can realize that we don’t need anything else to be happy.

6. Spend time with loved ones

Success in life is not limited to how much money one earns or how large their house is but rather the amount of time they can devote to their family. According to A.D. Williams, “Spending money on loved ones is thoughtful. Spending time with loved ones is divine.” While being able to provide for the family is crucial, nothing can substitute the greatest gift of all, which is time. We must cherish the moments we spend with our loved ones as they are priceless.

In conclusion, adopting these six habits can help individuals on their path towards true success and happiness in life. Success doesn’t come overnight, but rather it is gained by consistently practicing good habits that allow individuals to grow and improve themselves every day. Taking breaks, asking questions, enjoying life, learning new things, being thankful, and spending time with loved ones are all habits that can help individuals achieve a fulfilling life.