Although there are a lot of ways to define wealth, in our culture we seem to focus on financial wealth. While this is by no means the only type of resources that we should be seeking, there are certain lessons to be learned from people who have managed to amass this particular type of wealth.

The wealthy don’t achieve their status by happenstance. Only through tireless work and dedication are we able to reach our goals, and the road to success is wrought with challenges. However, no one said that the journey would be impossible, or the challenges insurmountable. Whether you’re just starting your journey to success or already walking the path, these quick and easy tips can save you mountain of stress.

Meditation
Without aligning your body and mind, you can’t expect to get far on your path to success. Meditation is a cheap and easy way to preserve the mind, and prepare yourself for a day of work. Regardless of your location, closing your eyes and centering yourself is an excellent way to be sure that stress doesn’t get the better of you. Many celebrity names, from Oprah to Rupert Murdoch endorse this practice as a healthy way to maintain your focus.

To-Do-Lists
Write to-do lists and stick to them. As the old saying goes, “failing to plan is planning to fail.” While tired, this holds as much weight now as it did during its first utterance. Plan out your day’s activities the night before, and rise early to get started. No success story began with sleeping in and shirking responsibility. Making a habit of this healthy exercise will not only align your internal clock for productivity, but encourage personal organization skills that will translate to every facet of your working life.

Develop Your Network

Networking is key when establishing your business presence. Researchers have found that those who network perform better at work and benefit from an increased likelihood of achieving a promotion. Personal, genuine networking in the workplace increases recognition among peers, and creates a positive environment.

Use Your Time Wisely

Hours are the steps to success, and you must use them wisely. Direct your energies toward improving your personal work ethic or business acumen. Stagnation is the enemy of progress, and the only way to fight stagnation is with ceaseless forward motion. When available, use downtime to sharpen your skills. Reading is an exceptional way to expand your mind and vocabulary. Television, while entertaining, is the enemy of progress. Allow yourself to be sucked into a program, and an entire day can slide by without you ever noticing. In a recent study, 67% of wealthy people were shown to watch television for only one hour a day, choosing to spend their leisure time reading.

Develop a Financial Plan

Lastly, though it may seem like the most obvious step, take the time to develop a rock-solid financial plan. Build and supply an emergency fund for those rainy days, construct a contingency plan for when you’re stretched thin, and plan months in advance. A little bit of work now can save you a massive headache in the future.