Success Advice
7 Powerful Ways Successful People Persuade Their Way to the Top

Have you ever wondered how successful people always have their way? When they speak, everyone listens. If they have a request, they meet ZERO resistance. Whatever they do, there’s always a crowd to cheer them on.
You can’t attribute it to good looks; not every entrepreneur out there looks like Bradley Cooper or Brad Pitt. You also can’t blame wealth. Some of the most successful people came from poverty. They built their business through sheer effort and work ethic.
So how? In my investigation, I found one common thread: they know how to persuade. They know what “hot buttons” to press to make people act. This is a highly complex skill they mastered to win businesses, create a tribe of fans, and live the 1% life. If you want to be successful, you need to learn how to persuade…because in this world, you’re either the persuader or the persuaded.
The 6 Principles of Persuasion by Dr. Cialdini
Dr. Robert Cialdini’s best-selling book, Influence, became the “go-to” book for influence and persuasion. In his book, he explains the 6 principles of persuasion:
- Reciprocity
- Commitment and consistency
- Social proof
- Authority
- Liking
- Scarcity
Below you’ll see how successful people put these principles into action:
1. They shift your paradigms
A paradigm is how you look at the world. It’s what you perceive as normal or standard. You don’t expect it to change, you believe “this is how things should be.” Now, here comes a person who shifts your paradigm and opens you to a new world where everything is bright, easy, and fun. You’re instantly hooked! And then he constantly supplies you with “aha” moments and epiphanies.
Once your paradigm shifts to theirs, this person becomes your thought-leader, your head-honcho, and the big guy. And we all know we’d do anything for a person we follow, admire, and respect. Hot button pressed: Authority
2. They side with you to fight your enemies
Nothing bonds more than having a common enemy. If a person helps you defeat an enemy, not only will you thank them, but you’ll be grateful for their existence. The enemy doesn’t even have to be a person, it can be a struggle, a challenge, an event, a pain or frustration. Hot button pressed: Liking
3. They confirm your suspicions
We want confirmation about what we want to believe, not just want we currently believe. I know it’s kind of sad, but this is how most of us think. That’s why when an expert finally confirms our suspicions, we latch on to them in a heartbeat. We don’t even think about it. Why? Because we love telling people “I told you so!” We feel superior. The thoughts and opinions we secretly held are now validated and just like #1, the person who confirms our suspicions becomes our thought-leader. Hot button pressed: Commitment
4. They encourage your dreams
The world is full of naysayers. Most of them are losers who haven’t done zilch in their life. They just throw rocks at people who are attempting to transcend mediocrity. Successful people are encouragers, they’re teachers and they want other people to succeed. They don’t bash other businesses or call people names, they elevate all the people around them. That’s why people love to be around them. They have a proven track record of success and are willing to share it to anyone who listens. Hot Button: Consistency
“Since 95 percent of the people are imitators and only 5 percent initiators, people are persuaded more by the actions of others than by any proof we can offer.” – Robert Cialdini
5. They justify your failures
“Every mistake, failure, accident, and misfortune that came your way is not your fault.” You know that’s not true, yet, you want it to be true. You want to shift all the blame to someone or something else.
This is the mentality of 99.9% of the population. If you want to succeed, eliminate this attitude NOW. If you don’t, you’ll always have the *victim mentality* preventing you from succeeding. Once you erase it from your system, tap into this fact to persuade people around you. Successful people always found creative ways to justify a person’s failures without lying or being unethical. Hot button: Reciprocity
6. They want you to belong
Ever since we were born, we wanted to belong. We want to be accepted, to feel safe, and be cared for by a community. Each of us longs for this either consciously or subconsciously.
This need goes back to our ancestors. Back then, if you were kicked out of a tribe you were good as dead. No one is going to protect you against the tigers and have your back while you rested. That’s why we desperately want to belong.
Successful people know this all too well. That’s why they give this as a reward for buying their product, promoting their cause, or anything they want you to do. You’ll finally belong if you do anything he/she says. Hot button: Social Proof
“We like people who are similar to us. This fact seems to hold true whether the similarity is in the area of opinions, personality traits, background, or life-style.” – Robert Cialdini
7. They’re protective of their time
The more limited edition a product is, the more value it has. For example: rare baseball cards, luxury cars, 5-star hotels, 5-star restaurants…the list goes on and on. The same goes with successful people, you can’t get ahold of them quickly, you have to go through hoops, talk to “their people” before you can even request a meeting.
Yet you still do this and desire to grab their attention because you know it’s valuable. Some of them are actually doing this to protect their time. Some are doing this to position themselves as scarce, because the less you have of them, the more you want them. Once they decide to give you their attention, you’re all eyes and ears. Hot button: Scarcity
By doing these 7 things, you’re triggering the 6 principles of persuasion. As you can see, it’s not that hard to do. With a little bit of research and focus, you can persuade ANYONE on the planet. You don’t even have to do all 7, pick one and use it over and over again. You’ll be surprised how effective these methods will be.
Out of the 7, which do you want to apply today? Comment below!
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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.
-
Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).
-
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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