Simple Things Successful People do Before Bed

As you lie down at night before you go to bed, what are your thoughts looking like? Are you anxious for tomorrow? Do you worry or reflect on what you’ve accomplished for the day, or maybe what you didn’t?

According to Business Insider, the last thing you do right before you fall asleep not only impacts how much or how well you sleep, but ultimately impacts how you feel and how you perform for the next day.   And guess what? You can control it. You can make or break the next day!

To become a successful person, you need to understand that your greatest accomplishments come full circle with a complete balance of your mental and physical health.

And what helps determine that? By the amount and quality of sleep you get!

Setting a routine is the key ritual for successful people. Whether that includes listening to soft music, reading, or watching the news, the most successful person unwinds from the day and resets for tomorrow the same way each and every day. Here are the top nine things successful people do right before they go to bed.

 1) They read.

Most experts agree that this is the best way to unwind and get ready for your next day to be a success. According to Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of “You Can’t Be Serious! Putting Humor to Work,” most successful people block off time to read before going to bed. This is a good time for people to catch up on the news, skim blogs, or simply read for pleasure to get a good sense of what is going on in the surrounding world, rather than focusing on just our own individual lives.

 2) They make a to-do list.

Doesn’t writing things down feel like a release? Often times, people write down their schedules before they go to bed in order to transfer those thoughts from their mind to that piece of paper. Now, you are ready for sleep instead of focusing on what you need to do tomorrow.

 3) They spend time with family.

Michael Woodward, Ph.D., organizational psychologist and author of “The YOU Plan,” says it’s important to make some time to chat with your partner, talk to your kids, or play with your dog. Just like the list, it is important to go over your day with others. Gather their insights, find out what they did today. Make it less about YOU and more about others, especially if it wasn’t your best day ever. Share great experiences you had today, or get advice if your experiences brought your mood down. Sharing thoughts and having conversations before sleep is a great way to focus your mind off your day in a positive way.

 4) They reflect on the day.

According to Kerr, several successful people seal off their days by taking the time to write down three things they are grateful for that happened. This “gratitude journal” allows for us to keep our lives in perspective and appreciate the little things. It also keeps us motivated, especially if we are in a challenging time in our lives.

 5) They meditate.

Using 10 minutes before bed is also a great way to relax the mind and body. It puts us in a calm state that reduces nerves and anxiety. Paired with a cup of hot tea, you are bound to get the many hours of sleep you deserve and need!

 6) They plan out sleep.

Rather than going to sleep “whenever,” many successful people map out their night of sleep, just like their days. Setting a routine bed time that fits in your schedule is key to ensuring that you maximize the amount of sleep that you can get. Setting alarms and counting the amount of hours of sleep you are getting can also ensure a set pattern of sleep to achieve maximum productivity and energy throughout your days!

 7) They unplug and disconnect from work.

This is especially crucial if your job is high-stress and time sensitive. Right before bed is YOUR time. You don’t need to carry over any baggage from a boss or co-worker. Just turn off your e-mail, put your phone on silent, and do not dwell on work-related issues. This separation of time before you walk into the office the next day is crucial to your mood and work productivity.

 8) They lie down on a positive note.

Sometimes we are our worst critics. We steal away our own precious sleep time to think negatively about our day. We think about what we could have done better, what we could have done, or let someone else’s actions impact how we feel. Going back and thinking about how wonderful the day was or remembering the good things will allow for a more restful and easy sleep.

 9) They picture tomorrow’s success.

If you set your mind to it, you can achieve it almost anything! And there’s no other better way to put your mind to what you want and all the good that you’ll do right before bed. Envisioning a positive outcome in life or in your day will allow your mind to be at peace. This will also ensure that you get enough sleep so that you can conquer tomorrow and accomplish what you want!

Powerful Habits That Will Make You a Millionaire

I remember sitting in a cold and dusty basement, searching for the habits that could change my life.

Being 21 years old, I was ready to take my life to the next level, but I felt stuck for three reasons: I lived at my parents' house, I had an $8-per-hour job, and I was enrolled in an never-ending MBA program. Deep down inside, I knew I had to escape. However, I wasn't going to run away from myself, which was something I always did.

This time, I was determined to make a change and I was deeply inspired to become successful, but I didn't know what to do or where to start. However, I firmly believed that if I changed my habits, my habits would change me. Instead of fooling around with miscellaneous activities, like sports and television, I decided to take up new habits, like reading books and giving speeches.

These habits led to a succession of positive results. Professionally, I became more competent. Personally, I became more confident. This realization that competence breeds confidence was the pivotal point that changed my life. It enabled me to reach the acme of success I now encounter, allowing me to create wealth and inspiration for millions of people.

Moreover, it came at a great sacrifice. These habits that I created were the anchors that made me who I am today. Therefore, here are the 10 powerful habits that will make you a millionaire:

1. Simplify Your Words

How well do you spread your message? Millionaires know how to share their message in simplest terms. They use their words with precision and possess deep meaning in what they say. Personally, I peruse the dictionary every day, but I would never attempt to use every word I know. By speaking pompously, many people exterminate their opportunities. In short, never drown people in the sea of verbosity. 

To learn to speak with ease, join your local Toastmasters club to brush up on your communication skills. Unfortunately, too many people get lazy with their communication and subtly conform to the habits of others. However, millionaires diligently work on how to improve what they say and seamlessly find easier ways to say it, whether it's verbally or written.

2. Abandon the Old

Before you are able to face the new, you must relinquish the old. If you want a new car or house, then bless the old one and search for the new. When you want to achieve a positive mindset, you must get rid of the negative one first. To abandon your negative habits, you must replace them with positive ones.

I realized this great habit one day as I was feasting on a couple cheap burgers at McDonald's. With great disgust, I ventured out to find the finest steak houses in the area to seek new and delectable experience with my meals. Instead of indulging in $1 burgers several times a week, I was happier to splurge my money on a robust steak once or twice per month. 

We are what we repeatedly do. Therefore, excellence is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle

3. Daily Goal-Setting

Every day, I set my goals on paper. This is an inspiring habit that I promise to keep for the rest of my life. Whether you're writing your financial projections, planning your weekly tasks, or scheming new ways to build your empire, you'll want to procure a daily goal-setting habit that will give you momentum on a daily basis.

When you set your goals every day, it allows you to prioritize and keep "first things first." Prioritization is doing first what matters most. Instead of pursuing $100 actions, this habit will promote you to embody $1,000 activities. Once you accumulate more profitable activities in your day, you'll add money to the bank, making you a millionaire in the process. 

4. Being Congruent

You must do what you say you're going to do. There will be many times in your life where you'll be asked to sacrifice your personal values to reach professional goals. When this temptation occurs, don't do it. There's nothing more valuable than remaining congruent in your personal and professional lives. It allows you to mix "business with pleasure."

Strangely enough, many people tell you that you can't mix business with pleasure. However, this assertion is absurd and will only be preached by incongruent people. When you're doing what you love, business is pleasure. When you're living a life that is based on integrity, your reputation will grow, enriching yourself and many others in the process. Never put your reputation in jeopardy by failing to remain congruent with your highest values and ideals. 

5. Decision-Making

The more decisions you make, the more successful you will be. While one person could make a dozen decisions in a day, another one can make hundreds in a day. The person who makes the most decisions will win, even if their decisions lead to failure. Just imagine, if you were going the opposite way on a one-way street, you'd learn to quickly make adjustments!

However, most people are afraid to make crucial decisions because they are conquered by fears, which leaves them paralyzed. Being paralyzed prevents them from making decisions, thereby forcing them to forfeit opportunities. Always make a decision, even if you don't know where it will lead. Soon enough, you'll find the answers you need. 

6. Asking Questions

Most people assume that they know answers. Their assumptions actually hold them back from knowing the truth. Truly, you want to ask questions to gain clarity about the direction you are heading. The fact is that many people don't ask any questions as they habitually guess their way by creating answers for themselves.

To become a millionaire, don't answer your questions, but question your answers. When you need to know the facts, you must inquire, not just make assumptions. Many people don't want to ask questions because it exposes them to confront the reality of their circumstance, which may scare them. Moreover, asking questions forces them into the laborious task of thinking, which is why they fail to ask questions. 

Judge a man by his questions rather than his answers. -Voltaire

7. Become a Master

One time, a fine pianist performed at a party for 50 rich women. After she was done, a woman from the party said to the virtuoso, "I'd give anything to play as you do." As the master pianist sipped her coffee in slow motion, she took a brief pause and said, "Oh no you wouldn't." Soon, a great hush filled the room as they were baffled in astonishment and massive confusion.

She continued, "You'd give anything to play as I do, except time. You wouldn't sit and practice, hour after hour, day after day, year after years." Then she flashed a warm smile while repositioning her coffee cup. "Please understand, I'm not criticizing," she said. "I'm just telling you that when you say you'd give anything to play as I do, you don't really mean it. You really don't mean it at all."

Every master was once a disaster. - T. Harv Eker

8. Embellish Your Appearance

Upgrading your appearance is instrumental to becoming a millionaire. Avoiding bad habits like drugs, tobacco, and excessive drinking of alcohol will always give you a more confident expression. By exercising four to five times per week, you are destined to become more physically attractive. You can easily beautify yourself by making minor changes to your appearances.

I have seen older men who apply mascara to their gray hairs. I know a woman who takes regular naps and occasionally sleeps 12 hours straight to avoid baggy eyes. Constantly embellish your appearance, even in the smallest ways, like shaving or applying cosmetics. Soon enough, you'll find more opportunities attracted to you. Looking like a millionaire is a best way to becoming one!

9. Doing the Maximum

The only element of success that you can control is your effort. Most people do minimum work, but expect maximum results. Instead of shirking the responsibilities of work, millionaires find better ways to achieve their goals. They go the extra mile to leverage themselves through people and systems, while using their efforts to optimize their talents.

Recently, we had more than three feet of snow, which requires tremendous effort to remove. My neighbor checked on me to see how I was doing. He was drenched in snow when he asked, "Aren't you going to come out and shovel?" I told him, "Nope, I hired someone to do it." When you maximize your efforts by focusing on how you can utilize your talents, you will dramatically increase your wealth. 

People pretend not like grapes when the vines are too high for them to reach. - Marguerite de Navarre

10. Obey the 'Rule of 500'

Early on in my business, I had a great struggle obtaining clients. It wasn't until I ran into the "Rule of 500" concept that changed my life. Basically, this habit taught me that if I wanted to become a millionaire, I would have to constantly reach out to a minimum of 500 people per month, either by phone or email. Knowing that I would face a lot of rejection, I was still willing to make it happen. 

Thankfully, I found that there are many ways to obtain a list of contacts. At first, you'll have to search diligently for these people who need your talent the most. When you grasp their attention with an email or phone call, you must move in with great initiative to offer your product or service. Obviously, not everyone will like you or what you offer, so be ready to face massive rejection. You'll be lucky if you have a 5 percent conversion rate when reaching out!

 Good habits are as addictive as bad habits. Once you've adopted a good habit, keep gaining new ones. An average person develops 6-10 new habits per year, which also means that they are dropping 6-10 old habits! Regardless, think about your daily habits and how they affect you. And remember, you make your habits in the beginning, then your habits make you!

Fearless Ways Successful People Think

Successful people think with strong minds. They prepare themselves mentally every day so they are prepared to face the challenges in their lives that may arise. These seven fearless ways of thinking, compiled from Forbes, are ones you may want to consider implementing yourself:

 1) Move On

Fearless people, successful people, are not afraid to move on in life. They do not “waste time feeling sorry for themselves,” because they know it is not productive to their end goal. “They have learned to take responsibility for their actions and outcomes, and have an inherent understanding of the fact that frequently life is not fair.” At the end of the day, fair is a child’s word. When people realize this, they stop dwelling on the past and bounce back from mistakes faster. This allows them to be more successful in life because they do not waste time being upset about things they cannot change. Instead, they use that time to productively work on conquering new goals.

 2) Keep Their Power

“Mentally strong people avoid giving others the power to make them feel inferior or bad.” Rather than allowing the thoughts of the many different people they come across affect their way of thinking, successful people realize that everybody has different opinions and that not everybody’s opinions matter or should be taken personally. They know they are “in control of their actions and emotions. They know their strength is in their ability to manage the way they respond.” Even when the chips are down and the insults feel personal, successful people find a way to look ahead and ignore the people tearing them down.

 3) Accept Change

There is an old adage that claims the only things that are certain in life are death and change. “Mentally strong people embrace change and they welcome challenge.” In order to change yourself, you have to challenge yourself. If you are not challenging yourself, you are going to stay in the same spot for the rest of your life or ultimately begin to slip backwards. Mentally strong people, fearless people, successful people think in a way that will allow them to make changes in their life and accept changes that come so that they can get stronger with each day. “An environment of change and even uncertainty can energize a mentally strong person and bring out their best.”

4) Take Calculated Risks

“A mentally strong person is willing to take calculated risks.” Successful people think that risks sometimes bring out the best results in life. They aren’t careless, but rather “weigh the risks and benefits thoroughly, and will fully assess the potential downsides and even the worst-case scenarios before they take action.” They don’t shy away from risks, but they don’t plunge into ones without thinking them through first. However, it is the risks in life that make life interesting and sometimes bring out the most incredible results. Successful people are wiling to take this chance when it makes sense to them.

 5) Applaud Others’ Successes

Jealousy and resentment are both emotions that can be incredibly prohibiting to one’s success. “It takes strength of character to feel genuine joy and excitement for other people’s success. Mentally strong people have this ability.” You only get what you work for in life. Dwelling on the idea of unfair successes will get you nowhere. Successful people think, and they think correctly, that the successes of other people are not inversely tied with their own failures. They can recognize the difference between their own successes and the successes of others and realize that even if there is a possible connection, the focus that will provide the most beneficial outcome is for them to focus on their own journeys and successes.

 6) Remain Resilient

“Every failure is a chance to improve.” Successful people fail, too. The difference is that they get back up and keep fighting. No successful person is where they are today because they just slipped through life as casually as an afternoon breeze in the autumn. Every person in this world who is truly successful has been tenacious and hard-working. “Mentally strong people are willing to fail again and again, as long as the learning experience from every ’failure’ can bring them closer to their ultimate goals.” Sometimes failure teaches you more than a win ever could.

 7) Earn Their Wins

Successful people think in terms of earning potential. They do not “feel the world owes them anything. Particularly in the current economy, executives and employees at every level are gaining the realization that the world does not owe them.” In order to be successful, it is vital that you think with a strong mind and work for your successes. They will never be handed to you on a silver platter. You must earn them and even when you think you’ve earned them, realize that sometimes you have to work four times as hard as you could have ever expected to get somewhere. Yet, successful people think, and think correctly, that if they work hard enough they will eventually earn the wins they want in life. The world may not owe them anything, but the world is much more likely to give them things if they work hard for them.

Tools You Need to Build Your Passive Income 'Empire'

Passive income -- money you make on the side with little effort -- is the hottest way to build wealth, and for good reason: Millionaires, entrepreneurs and the average Joe all understand that passive income makes it easier to compound your overall returns even further.

Generate enough passive income, and suddenly you have the chance to become truly wealthy.

But, wait: nothing is ever that easy; And, there's no such thing as 100 percent passive income. Building passive income actually requires hustle and an investment of time upfront to get your money off the ground and growing while you eat, sleep and play. Maintaining that growth means making sure that you're using the right tools and strategies to automate the work for you.

Here are five recommended passive income tools to help your build your wealth.

1. Streamline your systems

Whether you run a business or hold investments of any type, the money, time, teams, technology and communication you add in all need to be managed.

So, start with the right organizational systems, to maximize your time, minimize your headaches and transition any income streams, from hands-on investments to passive cash generators.

Collaboration platforms, like Slack, keep conversations open, searchable and conveniently stored in one place. These platforms are also known for cutting down email clutter. Task management tools, such as Trello, enable everyone involved to keep things moving with any given project. And when those things seamlessly integrate, it’s an added bonus.

Fine-tuning a system that removes you from daily cash-flow generation takes time, but it's worthwhile when your system runs like a well-oiled machine. The more organized you are, the more you can get done. And when everyone, from employees to contractors to assistants, is on the same page, it makes going from active to passive much easier.

2. Hire virtual assistants.

You don’t have to be a big corporate executive to need an assistant. Filing, emailing, scheduling and organizing the results of your moneymaking ventures takes time. And that's time you don’t want to waste while building your passive income empire. Nor do you want to expend any more time and money training and paying a new employee than you need to. Instead, consider hiring a virtual assistant.

Virtual assistants can do anything that doesn’t require a physical presence: Scheduling appointments, making calls, sending emails, creating and processing invoices and general project management can all be done virtually. And tasks beyond administrative work are possible, too: Virtual assistants can be trained for customer prospecting and other key business operations. In short, it’s worth learning how to use their talents to your benefit.

Outsourcing day-to-day tasks saves you time in the long run, and makes it possible for you to focus time and energy on growing revenue. It’s not a fantasy; it’s a virtual assistant.

3. Rent out your stuff.

You don’t always need to invest in something to grow passive income. You can start with what you already have. From bicycles to wifi networks and everything in between, renting platforms allow you to make money with items you already own.
Renting out your stuff is also easy and convenient. Rental services do the work, and you make the money. Popular services like Airbnb and VRBO make it easy to rent your home whenever it works for you. But you don’t even have to rent something as big as your home. Bicycles, parking spots, and household goods are options, too.
So, if something is lying around the house unused, why not do something with it? Rental services let you decide what, where and when. And most established platforms offer protection or insurance plans for both parties involved.
Opportunities to build passive income are out there waiting for you. With the right tools, an appetite for wealth and the drive to do some initial work, you could be making a steady stream of automated profits.

4. Lend money to your peers.

Crowdfunding is more than a trend. It’s a movement. And it’s a way for you to grow your passive income. By the end of 2016, more than 2,000 crowdfunding sites will exist worldwide. Lend Academy predicts that platforms will merge and mature in 2016, resulting in better security, service and product mix.
With the help of websites like Prosper and LendingClub, individuals can generate returns from lending money to other people. It’s a win-win option for everyone. Investors provide capital in exchange for earning interest, and borrowers have access to capital without the hassle of large financial institutions.
Peer-to-peer lending is straightforward and simple and can offer strong returns. Make the right choice, and your investment will do the work for you.

5. Invest in crowdfunded real estate.

If you’re looking for an investment that offers a seamless user experience, real estate crowdfunding is your tool. Companies like RealtyMogul.com connect investors to debt and equity investment opportunities online, without the hassle of dealing with large banks or financial institutions. The online functionality appeals to all skill levels, from first-timers to veteran investors. In just a few clicks, investors can access the best real estate deals. Historically, investors needed $50,000 or $100,000 and inside connections to get into the real estate investing game. Thanks to crowdfunding, investors can put up a little as $5,000, and a wide segment of the public can access quality deal flow that wasn’t available in the past.

Real estate is an attractive alternate asset class beyond stocks and bonds. It generally tracks lower volatility than other assets. Plus, it offers a hedge against inflation, as properties with tenant occupancy generate cash flow that rises with inflation and cushions against market crashes.