There’s a ton of research around how setting habits can help us conserve energy because it reduces the number of decisions we have to make in a day. However, not all habits are created equal and so we’ve asked our community to tell us about the habits they have been most effective for them.

Demetrius Dumas | Film Photographer & Software Engineer

I feel like my habits of consistency and practicing gratitude is a major reason for any of my success. Showing up every day and falling in love with the craft itself is what keeps me optimistic and goal driven to just keep creating. I believe you can’t grow when you are constantly taking off days, so why not do something every day to build the future I envision myself enjoying? Practicing gratitude helps me succeed in my daily wins of just always being able to step back and acknowledge the blessings I have received in the present moment and how grateful I am for all the experiences that I survived and now have gotten me to this point. Read more>>

Ashley Galanti | Biomedical Engineering PhD Student & Founder of AMG Detection

If not now, then when? This is a motto that I have lived by throughout my career as a student, employee, researcher, and entrepreneur – a motto that allowed me to maintain Dean’s List while enrolled in 8 courses at the University of Georgia each semester spanning from electrical engineering to journalism and Spanish amidst 3 jobs including starting my own business, working as a research assistant for the Associate Dean of the College of Engineering Office of Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship, and co-instructing a Spanish-engineering international collaboration course that I helped establish within the university, while also developing a medical device for my company, amongst other pursuits. Because of everything that I strive to accomplish, I developed a method of planning my days from 5:30 AM to 11 PM by every 15 minutes. I start by writing out a list of goals and milestones for each of my commitments with sub-tasks for how to achieve them based on coinciding deadlines. Once these lists are finalized, I add them to my calendar, each category pertaining to a different 1 of 12 colors. If something more urgent comes up, I adjust these lists based on priority, rearranging but never deleting them from my calendar. Instead I always ask myself: if not now, then when? I think it is extremely important to stay organized with your time because it allows you to never lose sight of your true end goal, ensuring that you are taking steps towards it with each passing week. Accountability, determination, and time management are the attributes that I owe my success to. Read more>>

Mona Swain | Actress – Influencer – Activist

My biggest contributing factor to my success has been, and still is, maintaining consistency. This is the simplest piece of advice I could give to any young creative, but it is easily one of the hardest things to execute. Life happens and makes consistency difficult to maintain, especially if it seems there isn’t any payoff. The seemingly rapid career trajectory of the newest up-and-coming celebrities didn’t just happen overnight; they had a dedicated pursuit of their dreams. Read more>>

Jamie Watkins | Wellness Speaker, Coach & Author

Aside from my faith, and trusting God. I would say commitment, discipline and consistency. I’m committed to doing the work when it comes to both personal development and developing my business. I’m disciplined in staying true to who I am and to my purpose. I’ve remained consistent in showing up and using my gifts in the area I’m equipped for which is wellness and purpose. Read more>>

Simiao Wang | Illustrator

Create small sketches every day. I find that this daily ritual not only keeps my creative skills sharp but also allows me to explore new ideas continuously. Read more>>

Yarray | Music Producer / Musician

The habit that I think helped me succeed is always being Proactive instead of being Reactive. That mindset helps me keep order, and make deadlines. Read more>>

Dr. Josephine Harris | Psychotherapist & Certified Master Mental Health Life & Wellness Coach

As a successful entrepreneur, I often shared some of the same habits as other entrepreneurs in the same mental health field that contribute to achievements. While individual experiences may vary, some common habits that helped me succeed include: Read more>>