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Success Advice

There Is No Shortcut.

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Many people reach out to me and want to know how I got to write for so many of the top publications on the internet.

They’re hoping to discover some secret trick.
They’re hoping they can jump the queue of all the other writers wanting exposure for their work.
They’re hoping I’ll cast a magic wand and instantly make them famous.

It’s not about fame, money, friends or magic tricks that are best kept at the circus.

What you’re missing.

I spent three years writing nonsense about stuff I hated. I hung out at weekend events recording video interviews that made me fall asleep when I watched them back. I said dumb stuff that upset people.

I reached out to lots of publications who turned me down or never responded. I got told “no” more times than I’ve had hot dinners.

For a long time, I had no credibility or reason for people to support me.

“I spent a lot of time at the bottom eating sh*t and wanting a break. I refused the temptation to feel sorry for myself or have others feel sorry for me”

What I did instead.

Worked my face off.
Posted blog articles at least three times a week.
Created the best art I could.
Stay inspired through podcasts and books.
Had Skype calls with top writers and offered them something in return.
Showed kindness towards every comment whether positive or negative.

I executed on my goals every single day until I got what I wanted. I chose inspiration and leading people, over Netflix and chill.

Somedays will suck.

Even after having many viral articles on the Internet, I managed to write something the other day that got 17 likes in total. It sucked worse than anything I’ve produced.

“You can’t sit at the top of “viral appreciation,” hugs and hi-fives forever”

You’ll go up, you’ll go down and you’ll rise again. It’s all part of the process.

There is no shortcut.

I got on many of these top publications by posting non-stop on lesser-known publications first. I wrote a lot so I could find my voice. I looked everywhere for advice that would help people. I never gave up and kept building momentum.

If you want to write for a top publication or be successful at anything, then you must understand that there is no shortcut other than putting in the work and executing.

There’s no shortcut. It all starts with you.

Oh, and you have to actually create something that is of value.

No one is rewarding you for generic, unhelpful, self-promoting pieces of content/writing.

Ask yourself these questions:

Can you be patient?
Will you put in the work?
Have you got experience?
Do you back yourself?
Is your ego in check?

You’ll get featured in a major publication if you act on this advice. I promise you.

If you want to increase your productivity and learn some more valuable life hacks, then join my private mailing list on timdenning.net

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Transform your forgotten bio link into a high-impact gateway that fuels engagement, clicks, and conversions across every social platform.

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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.

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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:

  • 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.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • 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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