I have been tagged by Wendy at Creation Thoughts to participate in a survey that is going around the blogosphere. It was originally started by Aaron Potts and named Simply Successful Secrets. We are basically asked to list the top 5-10 things that we do on a daily basis to become or remain successful at what we do - or our personal “success habits”.
At the end I will tag other bloggers that I know, as this is an ongoing survey. The results are to be published on Aaron’s blog when he feels the survey has run its course.
I’m flattered to be invited to participate. Thank you, Wendy! 
Here is my contribution to the survey of personal success habits, in no particular order:
My 10 Daily Success Habits
- 1. Brain Dump
If you’re not familiar with the term, its simply the process of taking everything that is in your head and on your mind, and putting it on the paper in front of you. I have been doing this for over 10 years now, and find that it helps to ‘get a handle’ on random thoughts and turn them into actionable tasks. This is also recommended by John Reese, though he has a bit of a different format. See page 6 of this document. While I do ‘major’ Brain Dumps on a weekly and monthly basis, I always start my day with a Mini Brain Dump to get a good lead on the days work.
- 2. Journaling
Similar to the Brain Dump, I use journaling to clear my mind and organize my thoughts. Instead of listing out thoughts and tasks though, I simply write freely and use this time to do creative thinking and personal brainstorming. This can be especially helpful when I find it hard to do a ‘formal brain dump’. I keep both personal and business journals, and find that it keeps my mind clear and my priorities in place.
- 3. Early Start
I wake early, usually before sunrise - even on weekends. There is just something about those peaceful morning hours, and catching the sunrise over coffee, that starts my day off very nicely. It gives me an opportunity to do some uninterrupted thinking, enjoy “quality me time”, and be at my best by the time I have to face the world…
- 4. Small Celebrations
I’m one to celebrate the small things throughout the day, every day. Great weather (which might even be a much-needed rainshower), a pleasant conversation, a new bloom on a plant, even completing individual tasks. And it doesnt take much for me to up and take the family out to dinner over something cool that happened. Living for these positive moments in every day was deliberate and learned, and is a habit that keeps me appreciative - and focused on creating more to appreciate.
- 5. Reading & Learning
I like to stay in the loop with industry-related news and views, and will usually read something either online or printed on a daily basis. There are go-to blogs that I check out, I generally scan article headlines at Yahoo, and my 3 favorite mags: Business 2.0, Revenue & Entrepreneur. I also have a growing collection of books on a variety of topics, from business and how-to to self-help and motivational. I will often use books or magazines to jumpstart brainstorming or creative thinking. In fact, I can rarely read without a note pad and pen in hand because it always sparks great ideas!
- 6. Positive Thinking
I dont sweat the small stuff - Period. I tend to believe that everything will work out just fine in the end. I also dont generally use phrases like “I hope” or “I doubt it” or any other negative insinuations towards a situation. I trust to a fault. I believe wholeheartedly. I intend to make it work out, regardless of the circumstances. I have bad days and hard times like anyone else, but I’m more likely to laugh in the face of adversity than to take it personally. I’ve learned over the years that the most terrible events you can imagine… are usually the most positive turnings points in your life in the end.
- 7. Sense of Accomplishment
This is a big one for me personally. I recognized an obvious pattern in my moods, realizing I felt my best after accomplishing (what seemed like) a daunting task. I call this my “sense of accomplishment fix” and will use it to cure a bad day, the ‘blahs’ or any rut I feel like I’m in. All I have to do is pick something, dig in, finish it… and I’m back on a roll! I have gotten in the habit of starting my day off with a sense of accomplishment by tackling my core tasks early on - before distraction takes over. This puts me at my personal best and carries over into a very full and productive day.
- 8. Check Stats
Knowing where you stand gives you a good perspective when figuring out what needs to be done next. Not to mention… there’s nothing more motivating than seeing how much money you made while you were sleeping . I find that its a good starting point for the day - checking stats such as commission earned, new orders & subscribers, traffic levels, search engine rankings, etc. A dip motivates me to push even harder. An increase gets me analyzing/thinking ways to keep it on an upswing!
- 9. Conversations
Isolation is unhealthy, but its not uncommon in the “work at home” environment. Some of us are natural born networkers and socialites. Some of us are not. I make it a point to have at least one Conversation each and every day. It may be a business peer, close friend or potential client. This may seem like a strange “success habit” to you, but I could literally go weeks without leaving the house or seeing and talking to another adult. I enjoy my quiet time and can easily get lost in great reading or an intense project that I am working on. I make it a point, though, to take at least one phonecall on weekdays (at my convenience) and schedule coffees and lunches with friends on a regular basis. Conversations can be fun, and I find that they always re-fuel me
.
- 10. Organization
I begin my day by organizing my personal space. Now my idea of “organized” may not be the same as yours… but its important to me to scan over my desk to see what’s in front of me, and line it up in a way that makes sense to me. This will match my tasks and priorities for the day, of course. I am an “out of sight, out of mind” type of person, so deskspace is ultra important as what I leave out for myself is what needs to be tended to first.
Yes I’m quirky, I admit 
. But these are the habits that I have formed over the last 10+ years in business, and the things that have allowed me to get the most out of my life along the way.
In closing, I’d like to ‘tag’ the following bloggers to participate in this survey by posting 5-10 of your daily success habits:
-> Paul Short
Because you’re just as quirky as I am! And because I admire you…
-> Chrissie Cole
Because I know ‘memes’ annoy you, and I love you that much!
-> Jason Cain
Because I wonder if you are still alive and blogging…
-> Bonnie Lowe
Because you can post some knock-your-socks-off entries over there!
-> Teli Adlam
Because you impress me, and I find that I am constantly learning from you
-> Rob Sellen
Because your personal story truly inspires me…
-> Rae Hoffman
Because ‘conversations’ with you are among those that I treasure… and because you are one bad-a$$ no-holds-barred successful woman!
Best,
Tags: success, brain dump, positive thinking, simply successful secrets, Aaron Potts, self improvement, personal development
28 responses so far ↓
Wendy // Mar 28, 2007 at 12:11 pm
Lynn, thanks for participating, you gave some really great tips! I especially love #7, tackling the core stuff first so you feel a sense of accomplishment - brilliant!
Wendy
Lynn Terry // Mar 28, 2007 at 2:38 pm
Thank you for inviting me - that was quite fun!
Note to those I tagged: You arent required to go in such detail unless you feel inspired to do so. You can post 5 habits in quick list style if you like. Cant wait to hear from you
Aaron M. Potts // Mar 28, 2007 at 6:29 pm
Lynn,
You and I think a lot alike on many levels, and I found myself reading your list doing a lot of nodding and agreeing - great stuff! I especially resonate with this:
“I’m more likely to laugh in the face of adversity than to take it personally”
Troy // Mar 29, 2007 at 11:16 pm
Lynn,
I have always been a great fan of you, your newsletters, and, especially your forums. Thanks for this article, especially.
I have recently been falling into some of these good habits that you talk about here, but was wandering what I was missing. This article hit the nail on the head, without getting any thumbs in the way!
Troy
Lynn Terry // Mar 30, 2007 at 5:19 am
Thank you, Troy! I’m glad you enjoyed it
Rob // Mar 30, 2007 at 1:20 pm
Thanks Lynn.
I done mine…
http://robsellen.com/2007/03/10-daily-success-tips.html
Rob.
john pepe // Apr 9, 2007 at 3:56 am
greetings,
thank you for the book think&grow rich and success tips. am new at blogging therefore i don’t know how to tag or trackback but be blessed and experience joy.
leave a comment at my blog please .
thank you
Lynn Terry // Apr 9, 2007 at 4:19 am
Thank you, John
If you are new to blogging, I think you’ll enjoy these tips: Social Networking in the Blogosphere
Best,
Lynn Terry
» 10 Success Tips // Apr 16, 2007 at 3:18 pm
[...] Ladan, on her turn, was tagged by Rob Sellen, who was tagged by Lynn Terry who was tagged by …. well, you get the idea. [...]
Amin // Apr 18, 2007 at 1:37 am
Lynn,
this point “the most terrible events you can imagine… are usually the most positive turnings points in your life in the end.” is such an important one to hold in mind.
I’ve always found it true and language is littered with phrases that re-state it. Here’s one, “It’s always darkest just before dawn”. Or, “This too shall pass.”
As for getting your core jobs done early, I’d like to share an acronym with you. I can’t remember where I read it.
BANJO
Bang A Nasty Job Off
Recommended as the very first thing you do in the morning, whereas most people put the nasty jobs to one side where they fester in your mind, all day long.
Very good post, this one. I liked it a lot.
Aaron M. Potts // Apr 18, 2007 at 8:01 pm
Lynn,
I just realized that my original comment got cut off for some reason and I wasn’t done gushing about how much I loved your success secrets!
Very powerful and positive stuff, and thank you so much for sharing it! Looking forward to keeping track of your blog and seeing what you are up to in the future.
Lynn Terry // Apr 18, 2007 at 8:15 pm
Thank you, Aaron
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Simply Successful Secrets Roundup! : Today is that Day // May 17, 2007 at 10:50 pm
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Thoughts & Philosophies » Help Yourself To Success Secrets // May 18, 2007 at 2:40 pm
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Angel Gleed@SEO Expert // Jul 12, 2007 at 2:43 pm
This is totally awesome! I loved the part about positive thinking because I believe that what you perceive is what you dictate to the universe. Besides,what will it do to you to be worrying and thinking like a loser when in fact you can be happy and hope that everything will turn out perfectly fine. Better to be optimistic than be a pessimist.
Lynn Terry // Jul 12, 2007 at 3:53 pm
Its sort of a simple “state of mind” issue. You can get totally stressed out, or get solution-minded… all over the same ‘problem’.
And which would you rather be/feel? Stressed out and hopeless… or motivated and working towards a solution?
As for me, I dont care to spend a single moment in turmoil and avoid it at all costs
Veronica // Aug 2, 2007 at 2:41 am
Lynn,
I am so glad I found your blog and your newsletter. I am new to internet marketing and am looking forward to spending many hours exploring all the wonderful information you are sharing. Reading your posts and articles your “voice” comes through loud and clear and you seem like a delightful person. God bless and thanks for all the wonderful information.
Veronica
Lynn Terry // Aug 2, 2007 at 10:07 am
Thank you so much, Veronica
Welcome ~ And let me know if there’s every any way I can help you!
MORENICHE - Web Master Affiliate Program Online // Aug 31, 2007 at 1:59 pm
I must confess, Lynn, I’d come to your blog several times and garnered lots of ideas and also contribute my little quota - but NEVER seen this wonderful tips-filled article.
I really love it, Lynn and I am copying it on my hard drive to read it well. Great effort lynn…
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Dave // Oct 3, 2007 at 7:27 am
This is a great read. I am just starting in the IM business and I definitely have information overload!! I am still seeking a solid starting point an d niche market…
Lynn Terry // Oct 3, 2007 at 7:34 am
Hi Dave,
Head over to my forum and I will be happy to help you personally!
~ Lynn
Nadine // Nov 17, 2007 at 6:03 pm
I’ve just started to blog, but in one of the jobs I do for a living, I too can stay inside for several days; to the point that recently my neighbours gave me a call to make sure I was ok, my car hadn’t moved for a long time! So #9 definitely resonated with me.
Great job.
Lynn Terry // Nov 18, 2007 at 1:29 pm
LOL I can relate to that Nadine - thanks for sharing
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