Success Advice
What You Must Do To Create A Personal Breakthrough

If you’re stuck in a rut and your life is not going how you want it too then you need a personal breakthrough. A breakthrough is something that changes the course of your life going forward and ensures that things will never be the same for you again.
Most of what a breakthrough requires is for you to have the courage and the bravery to stops settling for second best. Everything you need in your life already exists. The problem is often that your mind is blocking you from seeing the success tools you need to catapult your life into the right direction.
In 2011 I had one of these personal breakthroughs and since then, I have had a few more. Breakthroughs are what create the combined power to achieve your dreams. When I remember back to my first breakthrough, I realised that it was fear that was holding me back from accepting my current situation.
Before my first breakthrough, I wanted to blame everyone else about why I was failing at life and why I was incredibly unhappy. Taking ownership of your situation is part of being a mature adult, and once you realise that every problem starts with you, you will have the keys to unlock your unlimited potential.
Below are the seven things you must do to create a personal breakthrough:
1. Hit a low point
This may seem counter-intuitive, but the first step is to hit a low point. Without a low point, there is obviously no reason to have a breakthrough. A breakthrough is quite clearly something that stems from a low point.
If you are not going through a low point then you don’t need a breakthrough, you need some personal tweaking. However, if you are not going through a low point, but would like to have more success, then you can convince yourself that you are at a low point.
The mind can be convinced of anything and often you can use this to your advantage. By deciding to have a breakthrough, you unlock the power to make a drastic change. At the end of a breakthrough, the whole point is to go through so much change that you don’t recognise your previous life.
2. Analyse your story so far
Before you can begin the work on your breakthrough, you need to analyse the story you are telling yourself. It’s in these self-told stories that most of your barriers to success are found. The stories we tell ourselves form a process called “autosuggestion” that can be used to guide us, or destroy us.
Upon analysing my own story, I realised that I was telling myself these stories:
– I am not good enough
– I should be making more money
– It’s not my fault I am failing; other people caused these problems, not me
– I don’t have the skills to follow my passion
– One day I will be successful I just need to wait for something to fall on my lap
As you can see, the stories that I was telling myself were quite harmful. My stories typically had the components of no responsibility, reliance on other people, no sense of urgency, and complete lies. No one is going to create your success for you, and you have to start now.
No matter how far away your dream might seem it can only ever come true if you take a small step. The purpose of analysing your story is to become aware of the lies you are telling yourself. Once you know your made up stories, it’s a good idea to compare them with stories from people like Richard Branson, Elon Musk and Bill Gates.
There is no way to have a personal breakthrough unless you decide to form new, empowering stories.
“Your stories are what are stopping you from having a personal breakthrough in the first place”
3. Make a decision
No breakthrough can occur unless you cut off from all other options and decide that you must change your life right now. The moment you make the critical decision is the moment that the rest of your life will change.
Making the decision is the hardest part of any breakthrough. Once you decide and you have the tools, it’s much easier to execute on your new plan for your life.
During my first breakthrough, I found myself in a situation that at the time seemed impossible to get out of. The decision I made was that the past had already occurred, and I had to start again from the bottom.
I made four bold decisions:
– I would no longer stand for negative people
– I would choose a different entrepreneurial path
– I would redefine what success meant to me
– I would never allow money to define me again
Having made these four new decisions I had a new foundation that was achievable to work from. Making the decisions and then executing on them is half of the work.
4. Set a new standard
Once you leave behind all your old stories and make some empowering new decisions, it’s then time to set some new standards. Your standards determine what your minimum requirements are for each area of your life.
In my first breakthrough, I now realise that deciding to start from the bottom allowed me to clear out my previous standards. In doing so, I adopted a new set of standards that were less money focused and more in the direction of my vision for life. I realised that I had to become a new person if I wanted to attract the sorts of things I wanted in my life.
Once you have set your new standards, you then have a list of what you are not going to accept from the external world or the people in your life. Your standards become your must’s, and you should be unwavering in your pursuit of these standards.
5. Design your new life
Part of a successful breakthrough is to know what you would like the future to look like. Do you want to be an entrepreneur? Would you like to travel? Do you want to create a massive change in the world? Do you want to start a not for profit organisation?
The answer to these types of questions will help to uncover the life you want. It’s imperative that you have a vision that you can aim for even if at this early stage you have no idea how to get there. This process should have no boundaries, and anything can be included in this new design for your life.
When I went through this process I had things such as:
– An incredible network of people
– A new group of close friends
– A new woman
– A new career
– A way of changing the world through the Internet
Thankfully, since writing this list down, I have achieved most of these already. This list of wants will give you the leverage you need to follow through on your personal breakthrough.
6. Take up three new positive habits
A personal breakthrough involves lots of new components to your life and as part of the process, you must decide to take up at least three new positive habits. If you decide to have a breakthrough, and then just keep living the same way, then you will not get any results.
Habits are the small acts each day that you repeatedly do that end up having a lot to do with your overall success. During my first personal breakthrough, I took up exercise, reading and blogging as my new daily habits.
These three things have been a large part of where I have got to and are the pillars of my vision of inspiring the world through entrepreneurship and personal development. What three habits are you going to adopt in your own personal breakthrough?
7. Get clear on your why
The final part of your personal breakthrough is to get very clear on your personal why. You need to know why you exist and what your fundamental goal is in life. Typically, you’re why is something that you are highly passionate about and it is most likely related to your hobby.
Even if you’re clear on your why you need to rewrite it in a way that makes it full of energy and something that will excite you every day when you look at it. If your why is boring then it’s probably not an accurate representation of what you stand for.
Your why is something that is like the compass of your life. It’s what will be at the centre of your personal breakthrough and give you the drive to pursue a new course.
“A person without a powerful why will slowly die inside and become a predictable, shift-working zombie” – Tim Denning
I don’t want this type of de-motivating life for you, and you and I know you deserve better than that. Stand up, fire up, and spend some time knowing what the heck you are doing on this Earth!
Have you had a personal breakthrough? If not, why haven’t you? Let me know in the comments section below or on my website timdenning.net or my Facebook.
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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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