“Early to bed, early to
rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.” But, “those that sleep now can
dream, while those that do not can achieve their dreams.” Whether it is from
parents, teachers, our peers, or idols in history, we live in a world of
increasing pressure to be productive and successful in life. Especially with
the continual rise of brilliant new entrepreneurs in the Bay Area, the
expectation that we follow in their footsteps surfaces every day. In spite of
this, we are never told how to succeed, and the words of role models such as
Benjamin Franklin and Ban Ki Moon often deliver contradictory messages. Could
there be a secret step-by-step guide to becoming a noteworthy name in history?
As author Brian Tracy once stated, “Successful people are simply those with
successful habits.” Take a look at the habits of five famous figures, and what
it took for them to be revered.
President Obama has inspired many Americans with his
dedication to a daily workout at 6:45 A.M, but the First Lady, Michelle Obama, normally leaves the gym
at this time, returning home to pack lunch for her daughters. Her workout
includes forty-five minutes of cardio and forty-five minutes of strength
training, and she has yet to miss more than a single day at a time. What else
can we expect from the founder of the “Let’s Move!” campaign?
Adopting
the lifestyle of his mother, a full-time novelist and mother of six children, Anthony Trollope believed firmly in the
power of early morning inspiration, and would wake up at 5:30 A.M. to write.
During this time, Trollope would sit with a watch in front of his paper, and
demand of himself 3000 words by 8:30 A.M. or 250 words every fifteen minutes.
At the end of his morning, he would immediately head off to a job in the postal
service. Although work under such stressful conditions may seem difficult,
Trollope managed to publish forty-nine novels in a period of thirty-five years,
with his more famous works such as The Chronicles of Barsetshire making him the
most celebrated English writer in the Victorian era.
Most
heads of state keep up with the height of technology in their country: not Park Geun-hye. The South Korean
president is jokingly called “the notebook princess” for her adoration of the
quickly-disappearing art of note taking. From meetings with high-profile leaders,
to banquets with other Korean politicians, President Park is never seen without
a notepad to jot down points that arise in discussion. This habit has both
pleased and annoyed fellow officials, but it allows her to be prepared to
deliver remarks at all times.
Many
artists will attest to the saving power of a daily cup of coffee, and composer Ludwig Van Beethoven was no different.
The first order of business every morning was to make breakfast, consisting of
a large jug of coffee with exactly sixty coffee beans. (He often counted out
the beans one-by-one himself.) Afterwards, he would pour in an incredible
amount of sugar, near filling the cup to the rim, and mix it together with a
concoction of very strong, black coffee. Perhaps it was such breakfast habits that
contributed to Beethoven’s brilliance at the piano, conducting, and composing,
even as a deaf musician.
Neurologist and psychologist Sigmund Freud is famous for his discoveries on the power of human
dreams, but he is also known for his well-groomed appearance. After waking up
promptly at 7:00 A.M. each morning, the researcher would eat a light breakfast,
and spend an hour at the barber shop, trimming his beard. It was once said of
him that, “[Freud possessed] a commanding air… an air of power disciplined.
Even Freud’s mustache and beard were subdued to order by a barber’s daily
attention.” Freud worked hard to cultivate an image that appeased his patients,
and through the daily routine, he created a ritual that eventually became an
essential part of this incredible life.
From
artists, politicians, and writers, each of these giants possessed completely
different habits, personalities, and working attitudes. So what was the secret
to their success? Each of them lived strictly by a daily routine that allowed
them to leave a unique imprint on the world. In order to make our contribution
to society, perhaps it’s time each of us re-evaluate our lifestyles, and organize
work and leisure around an unvarying time frame.
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