7 lies about successful people that should stop

Consider your favourite song at the moment. Do you need other people to like it for you to enjoy it? The whole world could hate your favourite song and it wouldn't change how you feel when you listen to it. Feelings don't lie. Unless they are manipulated ofcourse...

For a long time, there has been a list or someone telling another what they should do inorder to be successful (to be like the people they consider to be successful).

To use the favourite song example, a song could be considered successful for the simple reason that it fills a single person's life with enjoyment. However, the world, and money, dictates that millions of sales, millions of fans, most of whom will like it for a moment and move on, that these are the measures of a hit song.

It's not a bad thing, the population is too big to cater to everyone's standards or individual experience statistics. Still, your version of success should take centre stage if you are to enjoy it, let alone achieve it.

Here are seven 'lies' we have been led to consume about successful people and how they spend their time.

1. They exercise

Keep in mind that manual labourers probably get the most exercise while doing their jobs. The fact that they are not carrying around bags of money, showing off their chiseled bodies probably does not enter into the successful people hall of fame. True exercising is important for general physical and mental health, but it comes in many unconventional ways. Not forgetting the big number of people who hate it.

2. They read

You should read about your field, to get support on what you are working on, for fun, because you love to read. Each person has their reason for reading, so making reading a metric for success excludes the millions of people who don't like to read but prefer to do things, create things, think their way through things and get information about the world and improve their lives in other formats.

3. They take classes

If you are someone who would rather watch paint dry than listen to someone tell you what to do in a class, this standard is probably going to rub you the wrong way. There are a number of free courses, college offers, workshops, and other educational content out there, and only a few people are interested for personal pursuits.

However, if you are going to attain success in a field of study, or for whatever reason you take a class, this makes sense. A moment of silence for the world 'successful people' who dropped out of school.

4. They volunteer

When did volunteering become a standard for success?

According to Inc.Africa "professionals primed for success realize the importance of giving back to the community, and feel happier because of it. Volunteering is also a valuable networking experience, introducing you to other people who, one way or another, can help you drive your career forward". Do you know anyone who has devoted their lives to volunteering? Would you consider them successful or not?

5. They network

It is purported that successful people feed their success from spending time talking to and meeting with people. That the more people you know, the opportunities will come your way. They also have an easier time stepping out of their comfort zones to meet new people. Or an introvert can create an app for other people to network and make a living while at it?

6. They have hobbies

There's probably an issue with developing hobbies for success if you want to be like 'successful people' at the expense of genuine interest in activities or doing things because you are naturally inclined to do them. Meanwhile, 'successful people' pursue hobbies to

"Focusing exclusively on work might seem like a fast track to success. With nothing else distracting you, you can funnel your full effort into your job and do in one week what would take most people two. But this approach has a nasty downside; burnout. Finding and pursuing a hobby helps you relieve stress, put your job in perspective, and build skills that complement ones you use at work. It's a breath of fresh air that keeps you grounded, and if it's a social hobby, also offers networking opportunities"

Hobbies as a stress reliever? Ever tried to actively develop interest in something that is supposed to be fun? Try it and find out.

7. They spend time with friends and family

They probably do, but that is not tied directly to their success. This is a characteristic for everyone that wants to have healthy relationships and loves their close ones. Prioritising relationships is a success on its own, and certainly doesn't guarantee success in other areas of life.

The bottomline is, find your favourite book, charity, exercise move, social event, hobby, study and activities to do with your family or friends, then decide what success feels to you and enjoy it.