Ever wonder why some people seem to breeze through challenges, while others get stuck feeling overwhelmed or uninspired?
It’s tempting to chalk it up to luck or innate talent, but there’s more at play here.
Research shows that certain thought patterns and mental habits can make a big difference in how we approach goals, handle stress, and stay focused.
These aren’t complicated strategies reserved for geniuses or gurus.
They’re simple practices that can become second nature—so much so that highly successful people might not even realize they’re doing them.
Let’s dive into seven of these “brain hacks” and see how you can incorporate them into your life.
1. They create small moments of mental priming
Priming, in psychology, describes how exposure to one stimulus can subtly shape our response to a related stimulus down the line—often without us realizing it.
It’s a concept motivational coach Tony Robbins emphasizes when he talks about “priming your mind” each morning, so you start your day with clear intentions and a positive outlook.
He suggests a few simple but high-impact steps to achieve this: start with focused breathing (quick, intentional inhales and exhales) to awaken your senses, then shift to gratitude by thinking of three things you appreciate right now—no matter how small.
From there, he recommends visualizing what you want to accomplish or experience that day, as if it’s already happening.
This brief sequence can be enough to elevate your mindset, direct your focus, and prepare you to tackle challenges with more clarity.
However, you can create your own version of priming, too – feel free to use whatever puts you in the right frame of mind to tackle the day.
The key is to give your brain a short warm-up that eases it into problem-solving mode instead of throwing it straight into the deep end.
A small mental ritual can create a huge difference in how you approach everything that follows.
2. They use strategic environment tweaks
Ever heard of the saying, “Out of sight, out of mind?”
Successful people apply that principle by deliberately shaping their surroundings.
They hide distractions and keep helpful tools within arm’s reach.
A good friend of mine who runs a marketing firm swears by a clean desk and a single notepad—nothing else.
Why does this work?
Because when your environment nudges you toward good habits, you’re less likely to get derailed.
Stanford neuroscientist Dr. Andrew Huberman points out that external cues can significantly affect our mental state and capacity to focus.
If the clutter is gone, your brain can channel its energy into the task at hand.
You don’t have to be a complete neat freak, though. This one’s simply about making your space work for you, not against you.
3. They practice short bursts of mindfulness
Mindfulness isn’t just for meditation gurus.
Many highly successful people use mini mindfulness breaks to reset their brain and lower stress, often without even calling it “mindfulness.”
They might take a quick walk around the block, close their eyes and breathe deeply for a minute, or pause to notice the details of their surroundings.
On busy days, I’ll step away from my laptop and simply observe my breathing for 30 seconds.
That’s often enough to halt the mental chatter and bring me back to a calmer, more creative headspace.
Research shows that short mindful pauses improve cognitive flexibility—a fancy term for thinking outside the box.
So the next time you feel overwhelmed, try taking a brief mental time-out.
You’ll likely return to your work more grounded and productive.
4. They lean on the power of “small wins”
I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s worth repeating: small wins can skyrocket your motivation.
Successful individuals often break their goals into bite-size tasks, celebrating each one along the way.
When I was building my first startup, I made a point to check off even tiny milestones—like sending a proposal or drafting a new social media post.
It gave me an immediate sense of progress, which made bigger goals feel more achievable.
According to Harvard Business Review, experiencing frequent “wins” boosts our mood and our drive to continue.
This explains why some top performers keep detailed to-do lists or track their progress visually—seeing that momentum builds confidence.
Even if your ultimate goal is massive, celebrating incremental steps can keep you energized for the long haul.
5. They automate whenever possible
Automation isn’t just about setting up software or delegating tasks.
It’s also about developing routines so your brain doesn’t have to negotiate every little decision.
For instance, if you’ve ever noticed how some entrepreneurs wear the same style of outfit daily (just like Mark Zuckerberg and the late Steve Jobs), it’s because they’ve removed an unnecessary choice from their routine.
This frees up mental bandwidth for bigger, more creative decisions.
In my own life, I rely on a simple bullet list each morning. I don’t question whether or not I’ll do certain tasks—I just follow the list.
This approach makes life easier because I’m not using willpower on “Should I do the dishes now or later?” or “Do I work out today or tomorrow?”
For entrepreneurs, time is gold, and willpower is a finite resource.
So why waste it on trivial decisions? Automate the basics and save your mental muscle for what really counts.
6. They cultivate a bias toward action
We all know someone who’s brilliant in theory but struggles to get projects off the ground.
High achievers flip that script. They default to taking action, even if it’s imperfect.
This doesn’t mean they act recklessly. It means they’ve trained themselves to execute on ideas swiftly rather than overthinking every detail.
James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, has noted that procrastination often masks fear of failure or lack of clarity.
Action, even small action, provides immediate feedback. That feedback is gold—it tells you what’s working and what needs adjusting.
When I launched my first e-commerce store, I had no clue what I was doing.
But I learned more in two weeks of trial and error than I would’ve from months of planning.
Doing teaches you more than thinking ever can.
7. They harness mental triggers for momentum
Let’s not skip one last piece: using mental triggers to keep themselves on track.
This can be something as simple as hearing a specific playlist when starting work or drinking a particular type of tea before diving into a writing session.
Over time, your brain associates that trigger with a focused state, almost like flipping a switch.
I picked up this trick from a mentor who always played the same mellow background music when tackling difficult tasks.
He said it made his mind click into “go mode,” and the science backs it up.
Classical conditioning, first studied by Ivan Pavlov, is the concept of pairing a stimulus with a response.
In modern-day terms, it means that repeating a particular cue (like music or a scent) can help you drop into the zone more quickly.
Just be intentional about which triggers you choose and stay consistent.
Wrapping up
These brain-based habits aren’t reserved for superhuman prodigies or the ultra-disciplined.
Anyone can experiment with them, adapt them, and weave them into daily life.
A little mental warm-up in the morning, a quick mindfulness break in the afternoon, and a bias toward taking action can go a long way.
Success isn’t always about major breakthroughs or dramatic changes.
Often, it’s the subtle yet potent shifts in how we manage our thoughts and behaviors that make the real difference.
Until next time, friends.
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