A few years ago, I became obsessed with understanding what makes some people incredibly successful while others—despite working hard—struggle to get ahead.
I dove deep into psychology, studied the habits of high achievers, and tested different strategies in my own life.
What I found was surprisingly simple: success isn’t about luck or talent. It’s about small, consistent actions repeated over time.
Highly successful people don’t just rely on motivation or willpower. Instead, they have a handful of habits they stick to every single week—practices that keep them focused, resilient, and always moving forward.
As the founder of Hack Spirit and a lifelong psychology enthusiast, I’ve spent years exploring what truly drives personal and professional growth.
In this article, I’ll share seven powerful things that successful people do at least once a week—backed by psychology and proven to work.
Let’s dive in.
1) They reflect on their progress
One of the biggest shifts I made in my own life was setting aside time each week to reflect.
Highly successful people don’t just keep pushing forward without looking back. They take a step back, assess what’s working, and adjust where needed.
Psychology backs this up—self-reflection helps improve decision-making, boosts motivation, and prevents burnout. It’s a way to stay intentional about your goals instead of just going through the motions.
For me, this means spending 10–15 minutes every Sunday asking myself a few simple questions: What did I accomplish this week? What challenges did I face? What can I improve moving forward?
It doesn’t have to be complicated. Grab a notebook or just think through these questions in your head.
The key is to make reflection a habit—because success isn’t just about working hard, it’s about working smart.
2) They prioritize deep work
For the longest time, I thought being productive meant juggling a hundred things at once—checking emails, responding to messages, and constantly switching between tasks. But the truth? I was busy, not effective.
Then I came across the concept of deep work—the ability to focus without distraction on a cognitively demanding task. It completely changed how I approach my work.
I realized that the most successful people don’t just work hard—they work with intense focus. So I made a change.
Instead of constantly multitasking, I now block out time for deep, uninterrupted work sessions. No phone, no distractions—just full concentration on one meaningful task at a time.
It wasn’t easy at first, but the results were undeniable. My productivity skyrocketed, and more importantly, I felt a deeper sense of accomplishment in what I was doing.
If you want to get ahead, start carving out time for deep work each week—it’s a game-changer.
3) They schedule time for real rest
For years, I thought rest was something you did when you had time. But the problem was, I never had time. There was always another task, another project, another reason to keep pushing forward.
It wasn’t until I hit complete burnout that I realized successful people don’t just work hard—they also rest with intention.
I used to think scrolling through my phone or watching Netflix counted as rest. But I still felt drained. Real rest isn’t about zoning out—it’s about recharging in a way that actually restores your energy.
For me, that meant setting aside at least one evening a week to do something that genuinely relaxes me—going for a walk, reading a book, or even just sitting outside with no distractions.
And when I started doing this? My focus improved, my creativity soared, and I actually got more done in less time.
If you’re constantly running on empty, try this: pick one day this week and schedule real rest—something that makes you feel better, not just distracted.
You’ll be surprised at how much of a difference it makes.
4) They practice gratitude
A few years ago, I was stuck in a cycle of always chasing the next goal. No matter what I achieved, it never felt like enough.
I’d celebrate a win for maybe a day, then immediately move on to worrying about the next thing.
Then I started practicing gratitude—actually taking time each week to reflect on what was already good in my life. And it changed everything.
Turns out, science backs this up. A study by Dr. Robert A. Emmons and Dr. Michael E. McCullough found that people who regularly wrote down things they were grateful for reported higher levels of happiness and lower levels of stress compared to those who focused on daily hassles.
Now, every Sunday evening, I take five minutes to write down three things I’m grateful for that week.
Sometimes they’re big things—like hitting a major milestone—but often, they’re small moments: a great conversation with a friend, a perfect cup of coffee, or just feeling healthy and strong.
If you’re always chasing success but never feeling successful, try this: once a week, write down three things you’re grateful for.
It’s a simple habit that shifts your mindset—and makes success feel more meaningful.
5) They connect with people who inspire them
For a long time, I tried to do everything on my own. I thought success was about grinding in isolation—putting in the hours, staying focused, and figuring things out by myself.
But over time, I realized that the most successful people don’t just work hard—they surround themselves with people who challenge and inspire them.
There’s actually a psychological reason for this. Social psychologist Dr. David McClelland found that the people we spend the most time with influence up to 95% of our success or failure. That statistic hit me hard.
So I made a change. Instead of just keeping to myself, I started reaching out to mentors, joining groups where people were doing things I admired, and making a real effort to build relationships with those who pushed me to grow. And it made all the difference.
If you’re feeling stuck, take a look at the people around you. Are they encouraging you to be better?
If not, make it a goal this week to connect with someone who inspires you—whether it’s an old mentor, a new colleague, or even an online community of like-minded people.
The right environment can change everything.
6) They step outside their comfort zone
For years, I avoided anything that made me uncomfortable. I stuck to what I knew, stayed in my routine, and told myself I just “wasn’t the kind of person” who took big risks.
But the truth is, every major breakthrough I’ve had—whether in my career, relationships, or personal growth—happened when I pushed myself beyond what felt safe.
Psychologist Carol Dweck, known for her work on growth mindset, once said: “In a growth mindset, challenges are exciting rather than threatening”.
So rather than thinking, ‘Oh, I’m going to reveal my weaknesses,’ you say, ‘Wow, here’s a chance to grow.’”
I started small—saying yes to opportunities that scared me just a little. Speaking up more in meetings, reaching out to people I admired, trying things I wasn’t sure I’d succeed at.
And every time I pushed past my initial fear, I became more confident and capable.
If you want to grow, make it a habit to step outside your comfort zone at least once a week. It doesn’t have to be something huge—just one small action that challenges you.
Over time, those small steps add up to something life-changing.
7) They take a break from being productive
This one might sound counterintuitive—after all, isn’t success all about working harder and getting more done?
That’s what I used to believe. I packed my days with tasks, thinking that if I just kept pushing, I’d eventually reach my goals faster. But the result? Burnout, exhaustion, and ironically, less productivity.
It turns out, highly successful people understand that real progress isn’t about working non-stop—it’s about knowing when to step away. Research shows that taking breaks actually improves focus, creativity, and problem-solving ability.
Now, I make it a point to take at least one intentional break each week—whether it’s a few hours of doing absolutely nothing, a long walk with no phone, or even a full day off.
And every time I do, I come back sharper, more motivated, and ready to tackle big challenges.
If you feel guilty about resting, try this: schedule an hour this week where you intentionally do nothing related to work or productivity.
No emails, no self-improvement—just something you genuinely enjoy. You might be surprised at how much it actually helps you in the long run.
Final thoughts
Success isn’t about massive, life-changing actions—it’s about small, consistent habits that add up over time.
If you want to apply what you’ve just read, don’t try to overhaul your entire routine overnight. Instead, pick one habit from this list and commit to doing it this week. Just one.
Maybe it’s setting aside time for deep work, reaching out to someone who inspires you, or simply taking a real break. Whatever it is, start small and build from there.
Because in the end, success isn’t about what you plan to do—it’s about what you actually do, week after week.
