Unfortunately, for 99% of us, success isn't achieved overnight.

Fortunately, we can all do small things, every day, to get us closer to what we want.

1 | They are early risers

Successful people's first thing (perhaps the most important) is to wake up early.

Sorry to the night owls, but many successful people believe their mornings are crucial to a successful day. It's important to consistently wake up early and make productive use of the morning.

Research shows that early risers are not only more productive and happier than night owls, but also healthier. So set an alarm, get up, and have a rich morning.

2 | They set goals

Besides having a vague plan to succeed sometime in the future, there's a lot more to do.

What exactly are you going to do? When are you going to do it? How can it help you achieve your goals? Breaking your goals down into smaller, more manageable blocks will help you stay motivated and see each step as a success.

Now is the best time to start using it. You can set goals for the future in many ways, but it's often recommended to write them down. Try this process, detailing how you will achieve what you've already thought about.

3 | They strive for balance

Imagine a successful person. What do you think their daily life is like? You might imagine someone lying in bed answering their second email, spending the day in the office, and working from home until late at night.

Now, dedication to hard work is crucial for success, but the most successful people know you can't work all the time – you shouldn't.

Successful people strive for balance. Yes, they work hard, but they do so in smart and efficient ways. They know what's important to them outside of work and frequently focus on those things.

4 | They maintain physical health

Speaking of a gym, many successful people promote the benefits of taking care of your body and mind. Exercise has many benefits. It can relax you, become a hobby, and a way to meet new friends, etc.

Obama knew the benefits of exercise, he often changed it. He did strength and resistance training, running, and other physical activities. He tried to exercise for 45 minutes, six days a week (obviously, he also knew the importance of rest days).

Of course, he also openly documented his struggles with quitting smoking – you can't have a healthy body and an unhealthy lung.

5 | They maintain optimism

The mind is a powerful thing, and you can even sabotage yourself if you're not careful.

Persistence, optimism, and staying positive are crucial. When things don't go your way, you don't reach your goals, or your life feels like it's conspiring against you, maintaining optimism can be tricky.

Successful people know (or have learned) how to overcome this feeling and keep moving forward. Of course, exercise is good for our minds and bodies, and staying active can boost your self-esteem.

6 | They don't procrastinate difficult things

Mark Twain said, 'Eat a live frog!' and whatever else happens, you can eat a live frog!' and whatever else happens, you can eat a live frog!

Clearly, he didn't mean to suggest eating frogs. But if a difficult task is waiting for you, when you walk into the office, the first thing you should do is eat it. Having a productive morning is a crucial part of it.

Some people find it difficult to make time for breakfast, take care of themselves, or even just get out of bed (anyone?). But that won't help you achieve your goals. There are simple ways to streamline your morning routine and have your morning work *for* you, not against you.

7 | They write everything down

Do you have a good idea that pops into your head when you're in bed, about to fall asleep, and you promise yourself you'll think about it in the morning? Or maybe you have a fleeting thought while you're traveling that seems promising? These ideas and thoughts seem to slip away from us when we really have the time to sit down and pay attention to them.

Successful people always write everything down – you never know how valuable an idea might be! Take the time to write it down and then pull it out later in the day.

Of course, having a little notebook is a classic, Richard Branson will never be without one. But in these days of technology, all you really need to do is open a note-taking app on your iPhone.

That's it.