Success Advice
5 Hidden Rewards of Running a Successful Business
Ten years after I started my company Intrinium, the business was generating a consistent profit. I was able to pay off debts and was living comfortably. With a good amount of discretionary income, I couldn’t help but think, “What should I do with my money?”
When I started Intrinium and thought about what success would look like, all I could picture were material things: a million dollars in the bank, a big house on a hill, and a four-car garage filled with Ferraris.
As I became able to afford some expensive things, I came to the realization that owning things doesn’t always make you happy, and owning too many things can make you very unhappy. The stuff you buy owns you, not the other way around. That’s not where your potential for real joy lies.
It’s hard to start and run a business. At times, you feel like yelling, “Why am I even bothering?!” For a long time, I didn’t know the answer to that question, but I finally figured it out. Success has huge rewards beyond the obvious ones and far beyond what you can imagine.
#1: Set Your Own Schedule
One thing that success brought me is a lifestyle that lets me set my own schedule. How many hours I work is separate from how much revenue the business earns.
Because my company is stable and has great leadership from my executive and management teams, I can say, “I’m going to spend next week in the mountains doing whatever the heck I want to do. Outside of driving into town to make a few calls, I’m not going to work.” I’m confident that when I come back to the office, I won’t be walking into chaos.
Taking the time to enjoy the fruits of your labor, instead of constantly laboring in your business, frees your mind to discover what else success can do. It allows you to improve your quality of life in many ways, but only if you take the initiative to do so.
#2: Meet People Who Interest You
Being a successful business owner gives you access to people you would never have met in any other position. I can pick up the phone and call the mayor or the CEO of one of the biggest consulting firms in town and they take my call. I can ask them to lunch and they accept.
When you run a company, people notice. They see you differently. Sometimes they see you for the first time. These connections can present other opportunities, such as investing in other businesses and participating in charity events.
You start to see yourself differently, too. That, in turn, empowers you to do more in the world than you ever could as an employee.
#3: Help Your Community, Your Industry, the World
The credibility you enjoy as a successful business owner empowers you to affect positive change. You can leverage your success for the good of yourself, your family, your colleagues and employees, your customers, your vendors, your community, and the world.
People who become successful have an obligation to show gratitude to the community and use their money for good. That includes helping out your family and friends in need, lifting up struggling businesses, donating to social or political causes, and giving your staff fair market wages and high-quality benefits.
Beyond mentoring, I don’t do a lot of hands-on charitable work at this point. Someday I’ll find the right cause to dedicate some time to, but for now, I’m happy to write checks for those causes I want to support.
Once you and I make the commitment to do more, and you’ve freed up the time, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities. Do whatever moves you the most. That’s one of the benefits of being a business owner.
#4: Lift Up Other Start-Ups
At a certain point in your career, you’ve gained skills and valuable experience that you can pass on to others just starting the journey. The credibility that came along with your success means they’ll listen to you.
I consider it my responsibility to help out with business incubators and people who are working on their own start-ups. Because I’m earning enough in my business, I can afford to give this help on a pro-bono basis.
In mastermind groups, I like to identify the members who are at the early stages of their business. Maybe they have ten people and a million dollars in revenue, but the revenue isn’t consistent, and they aren’t scaling.
I ask these young business leaders about their mission, vision, and values. I also work with them on their long-term growth plan, always asking “What do you want to get out of this business?” To coach and support them, I give them my cell phone number and invite them to contact me with questions or to just bounce an idea off me.
#5: Support Your Staff
You can use your experience and power to help your employees realize their goals. A lot of employers have the idea that their staff members should work for them forever, and they take it personally when people move on. I don’t see things that way at all. When people leave your business and go on to do amazing things, that further defines your own success.
A few years after I started Intrinium, I hired a guy who went from being a part-time computer programmer to becoming the chief security officer for one of the best-ranked healthcare systems in the nation. That evolution came about because in the eight years he worked with us, we taught him everything we knew about security, risk management, and leadership.
A few years back, I received a $12.5-million offer for Intrinium. I turned it down because I was certain the would-be buyer planned to move the contracts to another firm and lay off my staff. That’s not what success looks like to me. It’s not a way to screw the very people who worked so hard to get the business to this point.
When you’ve achieved a consistent level of success, you’ll be faced with these kinds of ethical choices. When the time comes, what are you going to do? Are you going to take care of the people who took care of you? Or are you just going to cut and run? Something to think about.
Look for Ways to Give Back
If you’ve decided to start and grow your business, you’ve set out on a worthwhile journey. Remember, though, once you reach your definition of success, you didn’t get there by yourself.
Your staff, your customers, your family, and your community contributed to where you are today. I hope you’ll consider it your moral responsibility to look for opportunities to show your gratitude.
I’m not saying you have to give away all your wealth. But take really good care of the people in your life and your community. It’s the right thing to do.
When I started my business in 2007, I never realized that someday I would have the money and the power to do what I can now do. You’ll never get as much joy out of counting the zeros on your bank statement as you will from helping people. It’s a terrific feeling—and truly one of the biggest rewards of running a successful business.
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Success in the digital age isn’t about hacks, it’s about the raw, real lessons Mark Manson actually lives by.
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Personal Development
These 11 Habits Will Make You More Productive, Successful, and Confident
Boost your focus, confidence, and results with 11 powerful habits successful people use every day.
Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.
But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.
Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.
1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task
Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.
After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.
Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.
But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.
2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First
Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.
Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”
For example, if you’re a writer:
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Research your topic at night.
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Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).
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Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.
You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.
3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace
Focus is the foundation of success.
According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.
Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.
Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.
4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life
Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”
This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.
If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.
5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills
Knowledge compounds over time.
Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.
I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.
Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.
6. Develop a Growth Mindset
Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.
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A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.
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A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.
Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.
7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You
I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.
If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.
Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.
Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.
8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions
Good mentors can fast-track your growth.
While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.
If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.
9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations
Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”
Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.
When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.
10. Focus on Your Strengths
Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.
If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.
A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.
Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.
11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs
Your beliefs shape your reality.
For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.
Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.
Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.
Final Thoughts
Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.
You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.
Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.
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