Continually moving forward in life can seem like a daunting task for many.
Because so often, we get caught up by one bad step, a bad turn, or a bad route altogether.
Cue stagnancy and feeling like the whole world is out to get you.
The easiest solution seems often curling up in a ball and wallowing until times get easier on their own (which they rarely do…)
So what exactly sets apart those who seem to effortlessly pick themselves up and keep moving, and those who let the weight of the world bear down upon them?
And what could we learn and implement from the 9 daily habits often practiced by people who strive to continually move forward in life?
Read on to find out!
1) Being able to work with change
Change happens.
It’s inevitable.
So one defining characteristic of people who continually move forward in life is that they embrace change.
It might be scary, it might be daunting, but it’s a constant part of life, so the better you are at adapting and evolving with change, the easier time you’ll have.
People who excel at marching on relentlessly value change because it brings new opportunities, challenges to overcome, and lessons to learn.
And it’s through these experiences that they keep moving forward – no matter what obstacles come their way.
2) Setting realistic daily goals
It’s all good and well having colossal dreams about world domination and owning the most successful startup venture of the year…
But one thing that people who continually move forward in life have in common is their habit of setting daily goals.
Smaller, realistic bite-sized portions that they can tick off each and every day, which help them work gradually towards the end-goals they have.
Additionally, it’s easier to keep focus and motivation when you’re able to attain a sense of accomplishment every single day.
At the end of every day (or start of every morning), they’ll list down a number of chores or tasks they want to have ticked off by the end of the day.
These don’t always have to be work oriented, either. Think paying off your water bill, remembering to buy toilet paper, as well as finally submitting that big project.
You then get a big hit of dopamine for crossing one of these tasks off, and an overall sense of feeling nifty and accomplished when those little ticks add up.
3) Committed to self-improvement
You can be wise and well-read and kind and thoughtful and good with money, but there will always be room to do better.
People who excel at moving forwards in life know this.
Their growth never stagnates, nor do they ever yawn, settle in, and think they’re done with growing as an individual.
No; instead, they are always on the lookout for opportunities to learn, grow, and better themselves.
Whether it’s reading an insightful new book, taking up a new course to build skills, or seeking feedback, they are constantly proactive about their personal development.
This pursuit of self-improvement helps them evolve and adapt to life’s changes, thanks to which they keep propelling forward and bettering themselves, day by day.
4) Not completely terrified of failure
A bit scared, sure – who isn’t?
But one of the hardest truths about people who continually move forward in life is their familiarity with failure.
They no doubt still find it a bit daunting, but they equally understand that failure is not the end, but instead a big part of the journey.
Trying and not quite getting there is an inevitable stepping stone on the road to success.
The mistakes you make and the lessons you learn from failure provide rich and valuable lessons that help shape your path forward.
And sure, this opens the door to setbacks and disappointments.
At times you ask yourself why you even bothered trying in the first place, since nothing has gone to plan…
But instead of letting these failures define them, these hardy individuals use them as fuel to push harder and reach further.
5) Constantly kind
You might not think that empathy and a commitment to growth were so interlinked, but surprise!
People who are adept at gliding through life and achieving their goals understand that success isn’t always simply about personal achievements…
It’s also about how we treat others and understand their experiences.
Thus, they tend to be kind and empathetic. These skills allow them to connect with people on a deeper level, enabling healthier relationships and a more compassionate outlook on life.
Life can sometimes feel like a battlefield where everyone is dealing with their own turmoil.
And the world could be a much kinder place if we all tried to understand each other a little bit more.
Hence why nifty individuals use their emotional intelligence to move forward, building stronger relationships and a more empathetic future along the way.
6) Work hard, play hard
Balance is critical in the lives of those who move forward with ease.
Because it is never just a sprint, but an entire marathon.
Pushing forward at max speed will only lead to a swift burnout, so you often need to find a pace that allows you to progress, whilst also enjoying the journey.
This means juggling all areas of life in a precarious balance; professional sphere with relationships, free time with work life, working hard and leisure time etc.
It’s through this balanced approach that they continue to move forward, enjoying the grind as much as the view on the way there.
7) Enjoying the little things
You can slave away getting to your end goals, but what happens when you get there?
And you’ve spent a lifetime toiling to get to just one destination (maybe a certain amount of money in your bank account, marriage, or a 4 bedroom house).
You’ll likely feel pretty unfulfilled, sitting alone in your big house, or atop your fat bank account, not entirely sure what to do next.
Hence why a delightful trait of people who continually move forward in life is their ability to find joy in the little things.
For them, life isn’t simply about grand accomplishments and colossal triumphs.
Sometimes, it’s the small victories and simple pleasures that make the journey worthwhile.
I’m talking about sharing birthday cake with friends, jet setting across the world to explore, getting immersed in an imaginative book.
Without this enjoyment in life’s little things, you can easily lose sight of the journey, which is often far more important than the destination.
Plus, valuing these little moments keeps spirits high and adds a dash of joy to the entire experience.
8) Capable of holding themselves accountable
An aspect that links all people who continually move forward in life is their relentless self-accountability.
At the end of the day, they know that they are the ones responsible for their actions, decisions, and ultimately, their progress. They don’t shy away from taking ownership of their mistakes and learning from them.
Forget pointing fingers at other people or making up excuses if you want to keep moving; without self-accountability, you’ll get nowhere.
Sure, you make mistakes, but the key is in learning from them and growing is being ready to take responsibility for each and every choice you make.
9) Forever learning
No one is asking you to be a know-it-all or a bookworm, but perhaps the significant trait of people who continually move forward in life is their insatiable thirst for knowledge.
For them, learning is a lifelong process.
Finishing school or a degree doesn’t mean the end of the road; learning means being open to new experiences, ideas, and perspectives every single day.
Constantly broadening their intellectual horizons challenges them, keeps them adaptable, and fuels their progress.
Without this thirst for knowledge, they would be ill-equipped to adapt and grow with the path ahead.
How can you start moving forwards?
It’s not always easy to be someone who continually moves forward in life.
The weight of life itself can be a lot to bear, plus having too much focus on the road ahead can leave you being labeled as a workaholic, or a try-hard.
But if you’re committed to growth and expansion, you’re half of the way there already.
This type of commitment requires such a unique strength and resilience within you that not everyone can comprehend.
Just remember, the journey of moving forward is not about being perfect or achieving everything all at once.
It’s about growth, learning, balance, and finding joy in the journey. And if that means moving at your own pace, so be it!
