11 Major Life Choices That Separate Truly Successful People From Everyone Else
Branislav Nenin / Shutterstock Making life choices can be overwhelming. How can we know if we are making the right decisions? Sometimes things feel right immediately. Maybe you knew right away you were going to marry your spouse the first time you met them. Other situations can be more difficult to navigate.
From choosing where to live and which career path to take, major life decisions impact all of us. It can be scary. Jumping into the unknown is always stressful. However, it might work out for the best. Successful people made decisions about these things and stuck with them. In the end, they knew they had made the right choices. They separate them from everyone else.
Here are 11 major life choices that separate truly successful people from everyone else
1. They chose to pursue a college degree
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The decisions we make about our education can be among the most important. Successful people likely started thinking about college while they were still in high school. Instead of slacking off, they may have put all of their energy and focus into their studies. They worked ahead to ensure they got into their dream university.
Applying for college isn't an easy task. While some people may have a better chance of landing a spot in a big-name university, successful people did everything they could to achieve their dream. This mindset can lead to perfectionism, but a successful person knows how to work for what they want without putting too much pressure on themselves.
2. They started a business
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Starting a business is easier said than done. However, successful people pushed through the barriers. It could be as simple as a small business built with family, or maybe they went on to create a major company that became a household name. Whatever decision they made, it paid off for them. Finding success through their own business can allow them financial security. While it’s not always a guaranteed way to become successful, it worked out for this group of people.
By creating their own business, they were likely able to achieve financial freedom. However, it takes a lot of effort to get to that point. Successful people don’t back down, even when it seems difficult.
3. They pursued a meaningful career
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Not all successful people start their own business. Instead, they may have decided to pursue a meaningful career. This is something that fulfills them. Sure, it likely pays well enough to make them successful. However, the most important thing to them is doing a job that they love. Whether they’re helping people or doing something else, they feel passionate about the role they took on.
Meaningful career development sets successful people apart from everyone else. They are passionate about their work and may be able to work hard to move up the ladder. You know that saying, ‘If you love your job, you never work a day in your life?’ This type of successful person took those words to heart.
4. They bought a home
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I’ll be honest, this one makes me jealous. The housing market is hard, and for some of us (myself included), it feels like we’ll never be able to afford a home. What sets successful people apart is that they likely learned the ins and outs of the market before they bought their home. Maybe they chose to live in a low-cost area where they knew they could afford a home. Or, they were able to land a mortgage they could afford. Successful people are likely working towards the future.
Successful people continue to be successful. If they achieved success early, they may have a growth mindset. This may spread to other areas of their lives, like the home-buying process.
5. They created and stuck to a steady budget
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Financial literacy is important. However, many of us don’t learn this skill until it’s too late. Creating a healthy budget is important. Successful people not only earn money, but they also know how to balance it. Instead of making bad financial decisions, they learned how to manage their money early on.
While creating a budget won’t look the same for everyone, there are things everyone should focus on. “In its simplest form, a budget is just a summary of your income and expenses for a given period of time. You can create a budget for a month, a quarter, or a year, depending on your needs. A successful budget can help you identify your needs versus wants, control wasteful spending, and adapt as your financial situation changes over time,” says Northwestern University.
6. They chose carefully when it came to who to marry
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We will all fall in love in our lifetimes. Sometimes, it’ll happen more than once. Who is the person we want to settle down with? This decision makes a difference. If we settle down with the wrong person, it could be problematic. Someone successful put a lot of thought into who they chose to be in a relationship with and whether or not they chose to walk down the aisle.
Getting married is one of the biggest decisions you can make. Making sure you settle down with the right person is important. Maybe this type of person went to therapy before walking down the aisle to make sure they were on the same page. Or, they just naturally knew. Someone successful separates themselves from everyone else by choosing to settle down with their perfect match.
7. Or they chose to get divorced
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This might sound like a failure, right? Why would someone successful choose to get divorced? Shouldn’t their marriage be strong enough to handle everything? This isn’t always the case. Sometimes you end up with the wrong person, and the best decision is a divorce. Instead of having someone in their life bringing them down, successful people will choose to walk away.
Deciding to get a divorce isn't easy. It takes a lot of effort to approach the topic with a clear mind. Someone successful understands there may be more pros than cons to a divorce. They’ll exit a relationship if it isn’t right for them.
8. They were thoughtful about starting a family
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There is no right time to start a family. You will never truly be ready. However, successful people consider certain things before having children. They weighed the pros and cons and made sure they were in a good place both mentally and financially before having a child. They did everything they could to prepare.
Parenthood transforms your reality. It gives you a new purpose in life. What sets a successful person apart from everyone else is likely the thought they put into expanding their family before they did it.
9. They picked the city they wanted to live in carefully
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I always wonder what my life would look like if I had stayed in my hometown forever. I love where I am from, but I know moving six hours away built more character in me. It taught me resilience and made me learn how to rely on myself to succeed. It feels good to look back at where I was and compare it to where I am now. Sometimes, leaving the town you’re in is the best move you can make.
Whether it’s for a new job or a new experience altogether, deciding where to live is a big life decision that can change your direction. Living in a new city can open up new opportunities. From a better job to a new space, there is much to gain from making this major life decision. Successful people understand it may be worth the risk.
10. They traveled the world
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Successful people know the importance of exposing themselves to different cultures. If they can afford it, they likely choose to soak in as much travel as they can. There is a lot to be learned from new experiences. This type of person does whatever it takes to enjoy these things. Meeting new people and seeing new places can be a major life decision worth taking.
“One of the key psychological benefits of travel is its ability to enhance cognitive flexibility. This refers to the brain's capacity to shift between different concepts, adapt to new situations, and approach problems in novel ways. When we travel, we encounter new environments, unfamiliar languages, and different cultural norms. These experiences force us to break away from routine and think outside the box,” says Jessica Koehler, Ph.D.
11. They mastered a skill
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Skills give successful people an edge, especially in the job market. It also gives them a hobby that allows them to disconnect at the end of the day. From fitness to learning a language, these things work our minds and can give us a leg up. Whether the skill is something they use to unwind or something that sets them apart on their resumés, choosing to master a skill separates successful people from everyone else.
“The ability to learn new skills is crucial to personal growth. Difficult learning challenges shape our self-perception and build our adaptability in ways easier quests can't,” states Alice Boyes, Ph.D.
Haley Van Horn is a freelance writer with a master’s degree in Humanities, living in Los Angeles. Her focus includes entertainment and lifestyle stories.
