Why are successful people, so successful?

Why Are Successful People So Successful? What Do They Do That Others Don’t? And How You Can Replicate Their Mantras. 

(A bit about the pic: The picture above is of 2024 & black picture is of 2018. The success which you see is outer, though it is more about my internal state. I have seen a lot in these years & it has made me successful or rather stronger internally)

“Winners don't do different things, they do things differently” 

This is a quote by Shiv Khera, the author of You Can Win: A Step-by-Step Tool for Top Achievers, and my newsletter today is going to revolve around the above particular theme. 

The question of what sets successful individuals apart from the rest of the world has intrigued humanity for centuries. 

• Why do some people seem to accomplish their dreams with apparent ease while others struggle to find their footing? 
• What is the secret sauce that makes success a natural outcome for certain individuals? 

The answer lies not in luck but in a unique set of habits, perspectives, and strategies that these people employ daily.

Let’s take a closer look at the key building blocks of success that have consistently shaped the journeys of successful individuals. Along the way, I’ve included some compelling examples of renowned figures who have built their careers by leveraging these principles.

Before moving forward, I believe Success is very subjective & make sure that you don't let yourself in people's definition of success, this is about your definition. If baking cakes every day for my child is a success, so be it! Remember to be clear on what you want in NOW!

Announcements: Thanks so much subscribers for lots of love. Presenting with God's grace, a new Success Milestone, our NLP Transformation HUB 1.0, Community by Ridhima Dua. Joining details Link to Register: https://exly.co/PlLoLJ

Let's deep dive in the article:

The Building Blocks of Success

1. The Power of Visualization Successful people live in their visions before those visions become reality. Visualization isn’t just daydreaming; it’s mentally rehearsing success. 

⭐Athletes like Michael Phelps, the most decorated Olympian in history, used visualization techniques before every swim. He imagined every stroke, every turn, and even potential obstacles before stepping into the pool.

⭐ Similarly, Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, famously visualized not only his products but also the emotions they would evoke in customers. This practice allowed him to create products that resonated deeply with people’s lives.

How You Can Apply It: Start your day with a visualization exercise. Picture your ideal day, your goals, and the small steps that lead to them. Close your eyes for five minutes and see yourself succeeding—be specific.

The secret lies in seeing when you have already achieved the dream, the sound around & the feeling, the emotion of how would you actually feel, the tears when rolled out or the smile on the cheek, will create that shift deeply in you! 

1. Detachment from Outcomes One of the most profound traits of successful individuals is their ability to remain unattached to outcomes. This doesn’t mean they don’t care; rather, they understand that obsession with results can hinder progress.

⭐Mahatma Gandhi, for instance, exemplified this principle during India’s freedom struggle. He was deeply invested in the cause but detached from the immediate results of his efforts. This clarity allowed him to persevere in the face of setbacks and failures, trusting that the right actions would ultimately lead to the desired outcomes.

How You Can Apply It: Focus on the process, not just the result. Ask yourself: "Am I taking the right actions?" Success is a byproduct of consistent effort, not constant worry about the destination.

There would be times when you would feel like giving up because you are thinking that the result should have come, that’s your assumption, there lies an opportunity to find what more is suppose to be done & how deeply you are curious to get to the outcome. 

1. The Practice of Shifting Perspectives Successful people have a unique ability to look at their lives from a third-person perspective. They become their consultants, analyzing problems and opportunities with objectivity.

⭐ Amazon’s Jeff Bezos is a prime example. 

⭐ When faced with challenges, he often asks, “Will this decision matter in 5 years?” By stepping outside of his immediate emotions and into a consultant’s shoes, he makes decisions that prioritize long-term vision over short-term fears.

How You Can Apply It: Try this NLP exercise: When faced with a problem, close your eyes and imagine yourself advising a friend who is facing the same issue. What would you tell them? This simple shift in perspective can offer clarity and insight.

1. Mastery of Body Language and Tonality Have you noticed how some people light up a room just by walking in? Successful individuals radiate confidence, and it’s not just because of their achievements—it’s because they are deeply aligned with their purpose. Their body language, tone of voice, and energy communicate authenticity and conviction.

⭐Think of Martin Luther King Jr. His iconic “I Have a Dream” speech wasn’t just about words; it was his tonality and body language that inspired millions.

How You Can Apply It: Stand in front of a mirror and practice power poses for two minutes. It is said that our brain runs 11bn bits of information per second. Our physiology drives our lives. These poses—standing tall with open gestures—can increase your confidence instantly. 

Also, pay attention to your tone of voice when communicating; train yourself to use cheer-leader & let it reflect in your enthusiasm and conviction.

1. Intuition as Their Superpower Successful individuals often trust their instincts, even when logic suggests otherwise. 

⭐ Oprah Winfrey, for example, has often credited her intuition for guiding her career decisions, from starting her production company to selecting projects that resonated with her values. I follow her values of passion inside out & love yourself so that you can love others. 

I must say that my intuition has also helped me to make business decisions, travelling to Portugal & taking new projects, going against my logics, it was difficult but it was worth trusting. 

How You Can Apply It: To strengthen your intuition, spend time in silence every day. Meditation or mindful breathing can help you tune into your inner voice, allowing it to guide your decisions more effectively. Dr. John Grinder says, signals in body are more powerful than voices. We can identify signals as kinesthetic/feelings at body level. We can learn more about it through New Code NLP Processes. 

1. Health and Purpose Above All A strong mind needs a strong body. Successful people prioritize their health because they know it’s the foundation of sustained success. 

⭐ Icons like Richard Branson attribute their productivity to daily physical activity. Beyond health, they align their actions with their purpose, ensuring their efforts are meaningful.

In my life, I have learned it, though late, that health is the most important aspect for success. In fact, I have used so many NLP techniques to get over challenges in my physical health! 

How You Can Apply It: Incorporate small health rituals into your day—whether it’s a 15-minute walk, a healthy breakfast, or stretching exercises. Simultaneously, reflect on your “why.” What drives you? Write it down and revisit it often.

Successful people often experience failure more than success on their journey to the top. 

When I met the owner of Brightland Resort in Mahabaleshwar, I asked him how he navigated the ups and downs of life. 

His response was simple yet profound: "It’s not the ups I’ve had to manage the most, but the downs. We fail far more than we succeed, and that’s the real truth behind success."

One of the most humbling truths about successful people is that they are often the most failed individuals before achieving greatness. They don’t fear failure; they embrace it as a stepping stone.

Take Thomas Edison, who famously said, “I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” 

This ability to see opportunities in problems and maintain resilience in the face of setbacks is a defining characteristic of success.

Burnout – Is It Really The Price of Ambition?nbsp;

Ambitious individuals often walk a fine line between high motivation and burnout. While their drive pushes them to excel, it can also lead to physical and emotional exhaustion if left unchecked. I personally have experienced it recently where an injury became so deep that it took me more than a month to recover, just because of unknown fatigue. Though I realised and started using NLP again so that I can be back on track. 

We might be highly passionate & ambitious, learn how to navigate life with tools & techniques. 

Successful people recognize this and seek mentorship or personal coaching to realign themselves. They understand that rest isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity for sustaining excellence.

How You Can Apply It: If you feel stress creeping in, pause and recalibrate. Use techniques like journaling or NLP’s anchoring method, which involves recalling a positive, calming memory to shift your mental state instantly.

I suggest deeper processes for getting over repeated stress as repeated stress is a deeper neurological conditioned pattern. 

NLP Solutions to Bring Success Home

Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) provides actionable strategies to rewire the mind for success. Here are some powerful techniques:

1. Visualization Anchoring
2. Reframing Negative Thoughts
3. Mirroring for Influence
4. Swish Pattern for Overcoming Fear

Success isn’t an accident. 

It’s a deliberate practice of adopting resourceful habits, learning from failures aka feedbacks, and constantly evolving. Successful individuals aren’t superhuman—they’re simply people who’ve mastered the art of aligning their thoughts, actions, and emotions with their goals.

As you reflect on these lessons, ask yourself: 

What small change can I make today to inch closer to my definition of success? 

Whether its starting a visualization practice, shifting your perspective, or seeking mentorship, remember that success is a journey—and every step counts.

Bit by bit, day by day. Just doing it, success will be yours!

And it’s okay to take a rest in between, trust me!