10 Golden Rules for Success and Happiness in Life
Success and happiness can mean something different to everyone — but there are 10 golden rules for success and happiness that everyone should live by.
Successful and happy people work hard and believe in their dreams. They are also able to rid themselves of negative energy and maintain a positive mindset in all aspects of life.
Let’s look at 10 golden rules for success and happiness that can help you live your best life regardless of how you define a successful, happy life.
Characteristics of Successful and Happy People
What does success and happiness look like to you? A successful person is usually happy because he/she is creating the life they want to live and doing the things they want to do, right?
It does not mean you have everything you ever wanted in life — but it does mean you have gratitude for what you have and work hard for what you want.
Before we look at 10 golden rules for success and happiness in life, let’s look at character traits of people who are successful and happy.
Take a minute to think about the people around you who are successful and happy. What characteristics do they all have? Successful, happy people generally have many of the same traits. Let’s look at them:
- determination
- patience
- integrity
- optimism
- gratitude
- passion
- purpose
- responsibility
- consistency
- accountability
- focus
- connection with others
- self-confidence
- good etiquette
- effective communication skills
- perseverance
- creativity
Can you think of other traits they have? Please share them in the comment section below.
What Are the Rules for Success and Happiness?
Combined with the characteristics above, these are 10 rules for success and happiness in life. Successful people are generally happy in life because they have a healthy mindset that helps them see the world in a positive way.
1. See failure as a new beginning, not an end.
We all make mistakes and face failures in life, but some people handle them better than others. You can choose to wallow in self-pity or get back up and keep going. The successful person is one who gets back up and moves forward regardless of failure. It’s not always easy but it’s worth it in the end.
Failure can be seen as a new beginning, a chance to start over and do things differently. If you’re willing to learn from your mistakes, you can use failure as a tool to help you succeed. Failure is just part of the process.
Don’t be afraid of making mistakes — if you’re not making mistakes, you’re probably not making progress.
2. If you don’t go after it, you won’t get it.
In order to be successful, you have to go after what you want. You can’t just sit back and hope it comes to you. You have to take action and put in the work. That’s the only way to achieve your goals in life.
You can’t let anyone or anything stop you from achieving your dreams. You have to be determined and relentless in your pursuit of success and happiness.
There are no guarantees in life, but if you don’t go after what you want, you’ll definitely never get it. So don’t be afraid to take risks and put yourself out there. It’s the only way to achieve success and happiness.
3. Always do more than what’s expected.
Doing more than what is expected is a key rule for success and happiness. When you go above and beyond, you show people that you are willing to go the extra mile — and you care about them. People always appreciate that.
Additionally, doing more than what is expected can help set you apart from the competition in the work place. If everyone else is only doing what is required of them, you will stand out by doing more. Being known as someone who always does more than what is expected can lead to better opportunities and a successful career.
Personally, doing more than what’s expected helps people see you as a dependable and compassionate person.
4. Surround yourself with the right people.
If you want to be successful and happy, you have to surround yourself with the right people. This means being selective about who you associate with and cutting ties with anyone who isn’t supportive of your goals.
People you associate with can have a major impact on your journey through life. Their attitude and behavior should align with your core values and standards. Here are some tips for choosing the right kind of people:
- Associate with people who are positive and supportive. Negative people will only bring you down and hold you back.
- Associate with people who have similar interests and goals. If everyone around you is focused on partying, you’re going to have a hard time reaching your goals.
- Associate with people who are willing to help and support you. Nobody achieves success alone, so find friends and family members who are willing to help push you forward.
Find mentors and role models who inspire you, and be sure to inspire others on their journey too. Share what you know with others and it’ll come back to you.
5. Always acquire new knowledge and be curious.
In order to be successful and happy, it is important to continuously acquire new knowledge and be curious about life. You should never stop learning because it will help you grow and reach your goals.
Become a lifelong learner — always seek to learn new things. Being a lifelong learner keeps your mind healthy and life interesting. It expands your mind and enhances your life.
There are no set rules for success, but these habits will help you get closer to your lifelong dreams. Be persistent in your learning, accept new ideas, seek new opportunities, be curious, and don’t give up when things get tough.
Do new things, take vacations, read a book, go places you’ve always wanted to go. Meet new people and live life to the fullest — you’ll naturally acquire a wealth of knowledge and have fun doing it!
6. Never compare yourself to others.
Comparison is the thief of joy. This phrase is often attributed to Theodore Roosevelt, but it was actually said by his distant cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt. Regardless of who said it, the sentiment is true.
When you compare yourself to others, you are not only setting yourself up for disappointment, but you are also robbing yourself of happiness.
This is one of the most important 10 rules for success and happiness. Comparison is a zero-sum game; when you are comparing yourself to someone else, you are automatically assuming that they are better than you. This is counterproductive in your quest for success and happiness.
It can be tough to not compare yourself to others, especially when you feel like you’re falling behind. But, remember that everyone is different and has their own path to follow. Trying to be someone else will only hold you back from achieving your own goals.
7. Develop and maintain flexible thinking skills.
Flexible thinking skills are also called cognitive thinking skills and mental flexibility. It helps you understand and accept others’ experiences, processes, routines, lifestyles, and decisions. It helps you learn that your way is not the only way. It is associated with tolerance, exploration, open-mindedness, curiosity, and growth.
I think you can see why adults who have flexible thinking skills will be happier and more successful in life. They will be able to get along better with people, feel more positive and open to learning new things, and adapt to change easier.
Cognitive flexibility allows you to learn new ways of doing things, and accept different ways of thinking. Flexible thinking gives you more resilience. It allows you to think outside your box and change your routine or structure when necessary to improve your circumstances.
8. Make peace with your past, and focus on the present.
In order to be successful and happy, you need to make peace with your past. Accept that what has happened has happened, and learn from your mistakes. Don’t dwell on the negative things that have happened, but use them as a learning experience. When you focus on the past, it will only hold you back from moving forward.
Instead of dwelling on the negative, focus on the positive things that have happened in your life. Be grateful for what you have, and learn to forgive yourself and others. Let go of any anger or resentment you may have, and move on with your life. Live in the present moment and enjoy each day to the fullest.
By making peace with your past, you can create a brighter future for yourself.
9. Treat everyone as you wish to be treated.
While the golden rule is simple, following it can sometimes be difficult. Most people know that they should treat others as they would want to be treated, but they don’t always put this into practice.
There are a few key things to remember that can help you follow the golden rule:
- Be aware of your own feelings and needs. If you can’t meet someone’s needs, you won’t be able to meet their expectations. Be open and honest with yourself and others.
- Pay attention to the other person’s body language and tone of voice. If they seem uncomfortable or unhappy, stop what you’re doing and pay attention.
- Don’t force your beliefs or opinions on others. respect their right to have their own opinions and beliefs.
- Be patient and understanding. Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, so give people a chance to make things right.
A lot of time, this rule comes down to simple kindness. It’s really very easy — just be kind to people.
10. Embrace and value your authenticity.
While there are many paths to success and happiness, one common denominator is authenticity. To live a truly successful and happy life, you must learn to be your authentic to self and live by your values. You can’t pretend to be someone you’re not or try to mimic someone else’s success.
Being authentic means being genuine and honest with yourself and others. It means being comfortable in your own skin and living your life according to your own standards, not someone else’s.
Being authentic means doing what you love and doing it for the right reasons. It means following your heart and ignoring the opinions of others. It means embracing who you are, faults and all.
Nobody knows you better than you know you. Embracing and valuing your authenticity will help you face your fears and learn more about yourself to help you be more successful and happy in life.
Final Thoughts: 10 Rules for Success and Happiness
If you look at the 10 rules for success and happiness, plus the character traits of successful and happy people, I think you’ll see a lot of overlap.
Success and happiness don’t always go hand-in-hand, but they can. If you choose to follow a path toward success and happiness in life, you will recognize the importance of these character traits and rules. You will implement and follow these rules for yourself so you can achieve your goals.
If you would like more information about 10 rules for success, you can check out the work of Evan Carmichael. He is an author and motivational speaker who specializes in leadership, success, and social media marketing. He focuses on 10 rules to success in business.
Following these 10 rules for success and happiness will help you learn to BELIEVE AND ACHIEVE your goals and dreams so you can be successful and happy in life.
So take some time to reflect on these rules and think about how you can put them into practice in your own life. And remember, the journey of life is an ongoing process, so don’t be afraid to keep growing and evolving as you go. Good luck!
You might also enjoy these related articles:
- Cultivate Happiness with a Heart of Gratitude
- How to Carry Yourself with Confidence: 21 Essential Tips
And one more important thing — success requires a success mindset + happiness requires a happiness mindset. Mindset is everything!
And don’t forget to drink plenty of water every day and SMILE often because a smile is your best accessory!
Love to ALL! ~ Susan
Are You Implementing the 10 Golden Rules for Success and Happiness in Your Life?
Do you have other ideas that help with success and happiness? I would love to hear from you in the comment section below.
