There is no one reason why achieving success should be so difficult, although it certainly is.  Evidence of unsuccessfulness is all around us.  In 2007, we saw the highest percentage of foreclosures on home loans in more than 50 years.  Gainful employment has steadily become more competitive as globalizaion has led to increased outsourcing.  The industries that are creating more positions — for the most part in the service sector — pay on average 20 percent less than industries losing the most jobs.  These pressures have taken a toll on personal and family lives as well.  Since 1960, the number of children living in single-parent homes has tripled from 9 percent to almost 30 percent.  And in any given year, at least 18.8 million American adults suffer from some form of depression, addictions, or both.

Consider the development of successful and effective habits as the gateway to all other successes.  One cannot be successful without being organized, prepared, or well-educated.  Likewise, success cannot be attained unless you know how to take initiative, negotiate, and network.  Generally, success does not come to those who have low self-confidence or a negative attitude.  Therefore, developing successful habits is the accomplishment from which all other successes flow.

Finally, we need to develop more successful habits because our happiness depends on it.  When we succeed in doing or getting the things we strive for, we feel excellent!  When we make connections with people who value our skills and opinions, we feel happy, fulfilled, and motivated.  By not adapting the habits of highly successful people, we risk a lot: a comfortable quality of life, time, happiness, meaningful relationships, and the satisfaction of a thriving career or business, just to name a few.  Neglecting to learn effective habits creates a daily struggle to responsibly fulfill your roles as an employee, partner, parent, and friend.  Don’t risk losing the relationships that matter most to you by failing to become more successful in all of the areas of your life.

It has been said that it takes 30 days to make something a habit.  If it is a truly successful habit and well-suited to your life, after 30 days the action will become an involuntary part of you.

“The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work.”               Mark Twain