5 Lessons on Being Successful and Happy Implement these simple life lessons to get on the right path to success and happiness.
By Timothy Sykes Edited by Dan Bova
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Throughout my life I have learned a great deal. I have learned a lot about being an entrepreneur, about making money and about spending money. However, above all things I have learned that two of the most important elements to life are being successful and being happy. I spend my life sharing information with others and trying to teach people how to change their lives and their careers, which is why I am always more than happy to share some of the most poignant lessons of my life so far, particularly when it comes to finding success and happiness. Here are five of the biggest lessons that I have learned about being successful and happy.
1. Money isn't everything.
I know this sounds strange coming from an individual who spends a living on teaching people how to make money, but it really isn't everything. If you want to be successful, focus on doing what you love, even if it is not hugely profitable in the beginning. In the way, you will find ways to make more profit out of it, but you need to focus on fulfilling yourself first.
Related: 8 Keys to Finding Your Inner Happiness
2. Stop making assumptions.
If you want to be successful and happy in life, then you can't be closed-minded or make assumptions. The world can be a small and cruel place if you start making assumptions about people and your limitations. Try to keep an open mind. Most people are actually great individuals if you just keep your mind open. Your potential can be unlimited if you just stop making assumptions. It allows you to open yourself up to possibilities and to do what you have always wanted, no matter what anyone has told you in your life before.
3. Focus on your growth every day.
Sure, you need to make sure you build your business and pay your bills but the most important thing in your life should be focusing on your education and personal growth. This doesn't mean getting as many fancy (and expensive) college degrees as you can but it does mean focusing on growth. We live in an exciting age where you can learn virtually anything and everything on the Internet. Free guides such as the Penny Stock Guide are invaluable. Once you have the knowledge and skills, everything is much easier in the long run.
Related: 3 Strategies for Hacking Happiness
4. Cherish your relationships.
Whether it is your relationship with family, friends or significant others, you need to cherish the relationships that you have. Don't let work and greed consume you. This is a mistake that so many entrepreneurs today make and one that is never worth it in the end.
5. Don't worry about small losses, mistakes.
Just because you don't have success right away, it doesn't mean that you can't find success later on. I have a few students that have struggled for months and eventually found some of the best success possible. These are the individuals that didn't get overwhelmed with small setbacks and mistakes.
Related: Success vs. Happiness: Don't Be Fooled Into Thinking They're the Same
These are a few of the many lessons that I have learned along the way when it comes to success and happiness. Lessons that I hope all individuals, whether you are a student or not, can benefit from as well.
