There’s a ton of research around how setting habits can help us conserve energy because it reduces the number of decisions we have to make in a day.  However, not all habits are created equal and so we’ve asked our community to tell us about the habits they have been most effective for them.

Venessa Monokian | Artist

Kindness. I know it seems odd to say that out of all the things I could list, but honestly, keeping in the habit of being kind has been more than essential to my own personal success. When I walk into my studio space, which I share with many other artists, I make it a habit to say hello and offer them tea. It just helps to set the tone of the space and my work is stronger because of that. I’m an artist, and so much of what I do is dependent on the relationships I develop and foster. For example, during the start of the pandemic, when we were in lockdown, I printed and sent out small works to everyone I could think of ( friends, family, fellow artists, buyers) even those I hadn’t contacted in years. It was an effort to reach out and create a little moment of joy and kindness at a very stressful time. These images became part of a small book I created called “Isolated Thoughts” and five dollars from each sale is donated to an art organization or creative person in need. Read more>>

Rheisha Shol | Content Creator | Entrepreneur | Women Empowerment Advocate

The habits that helped me achieve success are the following: 1. Meditation 2. Journaling 3. Reading 4. Staying Active (at least 20 minutes a day) 5. Going out in nature every day (run, walk, hike) 6. Coloring/painting – it helps me to tap into my creativity. Read more>>

Louie Galvez | Photographer & Xpert Wizard

I am not afraid to fail. I fail all the time. So I embrace failure and look at the things that I did wrong and correct them the next go around. I feel that making the acceptance of failure a good habit, and not looking at it as a negative, has helped me grow as a photographer tremendously. It motivates me to be better. It helps me at my next shoot to reflect on past mistakes and prepare or execute certain things in a better way. I also am not afraid to try things that I feel may or may not work while I am shooting. If it doesn’t work, then it just simply doesn’t work. Move on. Keep working. Learn, Improve. Repeat. Read more>>

Maribel Gonzalez | Vice President – Lexus Concrete LLC | Lexus Custom Homes, LLC

The habits that I feel helped us succeed are, no matter how cliché it sounds, to never give up. There are times where we feel there is too much going on. But as entrepreneurs, we knew we were taking the hard road where not everyone has taken. No matter where you grew up or what your education is nothing can beat hard work and consistency. Small wins build consistency. We take things day by day and instead of looking at how far we have to go, we look at how far we’ve come. And that alone gives us the drive to get up every day. We want to emphasize to anyone considering starting something new to just start. You will figure it out as you go. Everyone starts with 0 followers, 0 customers, 0 team members. Staying consistent, drive, and hard work is truly the recipe for success. We also want to give credit to our family, friends, and team members who were an amazing support system. Read more>>

Krystal Turpeau-Ricks | Clothing Boutique Owner

Consistency has contributed to my success. Staying focused and not comparing myself to other brands. Sending frequent emails to costumers/potential customers, utilizing social media for customer engagement, and never stopping engagement regarding my business. Read more>>

Miesha Weaver | Author & Mobile Notary

I feel every vision starts in your mind and should be transferred on paper. One of my favorite scriptures is Habakkuk 2:2. Write the vision, and make it plain on tablets, that he who reads it may run.” When it is written down and then implemented, those we lead can ‘run’ with it and we will see it succeed. Once I wrote my vision down, I created a list of things I needed to do and gave myself a timeline to accomplish each one. Believe in yourself, take the necessary action, and work on it everyday! Treat your customers the same way you would want to be treated: be on time, be considerate, and smile!. Read more>>

Nadine “The Native Bombshell” | Multi-Published Model & Photographer

I think diligence has helped me be successful and has helped keep me on track and forward focused. Read more>>