Skip to main content

10 Unusual Habits of Highly Successful People (That Nobody Talks About)


We’ve all heard the usual success advice—wake up early, meditate, exercise, and hustle hard. But what about the unconventional habits that top performers swear by? Here are 10 lesser-known routines of highly successful people that you won’t find in typical productivity lists.

1. They Take Strategic Naps (Like Da Vinci & Einstein)

While hustle culture glorifies all-nighters, many geniuses—like Leonardo Da Vinci and Albert Einstein—relied on polyphasic sleep (short naps throughout the day). Modern high-performers like Elon Musk and Arianna Huffington also swear by power naps to recharge creativity.

2. They Schedule Boredom

Successful people don’t just optimize every second—they intentionally leave gaps for boredom. Bill Gates famously takes "think weeks" where he isolates himself to read and reflect. Boredom sparks creativity and problem-solving.

3. They Practice "Negative Visualization" (Stoic Mindset)

Instead of just visualizing success, they prepare for failure. Tim Ferriss and Ryan Holiday use Stoic techniques—imagining worst-case scenarios—to reduce fear and make bolder decisions.

4. They Avoid the News

Warren Buffett reads 500 pages a day… but not headlines. Many successful people ignore the news cycle to avoid distraction and anxiety. They focus on deep knowledge instead of reactive information.

5. They Embrace Controlled Procrastination

Procrastination isn’t always bad—Steve Jobs used it strategically. By delaying decisions, he allowed better ideas to emerge. Some high-performers delay tasks intentionally to prioritize only what truly matters.

6. They Walk & Talk (No Chairs Needed)

Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey hold walking meetings. Movement boosts creativity, and ditching chairs leads to shorter, more productive discussions.

7. They Keep a "Dumb Ideas" Notebook

Richard Branson and Lin-Manuel Miranda jot down wild, impractical ideas regularly. Most go nowhere—but some turn into breakthroughs (like Hamilton).

8. They Use "Productive Procrastination"

When stuck, they switch to a different important task (instead of scrolling). This keeps momentum going. Example: Writing a report? Stuck? Jump to a strategic plan instead of Instagram.

9. They Seek "Inefficient" Socializing

While networking events feel productive, many successful people prefer deep 1-on-1 conversations over large groups. Charlie Munger (Buffett’s partner) credits his success to long, meandering talks with smart friends.

10. They Practice "Selective Ignorance"

They ignore trends, opinions, and "shoulds" that don’t align with their goals. Oprah stopped watching TV early in her career to focus on her own path.

Final Thought: Success Isn’t About Copying—It’s About Customizing

These habits work because they’re tailored to individual strengths. The key? Experiment, keep what works, and ditch the rest.

Which of these habits surprised you? Any unusual routines of your own? Share below!


Comments

Most visited

Africa: A Continent of 54 Unique Countries

Western Sahara: The Sands of a Disputed Land 🇪🇭✨

  Western Sahara, a vast stretch of desert along the Atlantic coast of North Africa, is a region of golden dunes, resilient people, and a complex political story . Although its status remains disputed, its landscapes and culture offer a glimpse into Saharan life beyond borders . Understanding Western Sahara 📍 Location: Western Sahara lies south of Morocco and north of Mauritania, with the Atlantic Ocean to its west. ⚖️ Disputed Status: Western Sahara is recognized by the United Nations as a non-self-governing territory. Morocco controls much of the region, while the Polisario Front seeks independence as the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR). 🏜️ Landscape: The region is largely composed of desert plains, rocky plateaus, and sand dunes , shaped by the winds of the Sahara and the cool breezes of the Atlantic coast. Culture and People ✨ Sahrawi People: The indigenous people of Western Sahara, the Sahrawis, are of Berber and Arab descent, with a culture rooted in nom...

Agave and Tequila: Nature’s Gift and Mexico’s Liquid Gold

What is Agave? Agave is a succulent plant native to Mexico , with spiky leaves and a rosette formation that thrives in arid climates. It is often mistaken for cactus, but it belongs to the Asparagaceae family , and has over 200 varieties. Among them, Blue Weber Agave is the most famous, as it is the primary source of tequila . Agave has been used for centuries by indigenous people for making rope, sweeteners, and even as a source of needle and thread (using its spines). Its sweet sap, known as aguamiel , can be fermented to make pulque , a traditional Mexican drink, and distilled to create tequila. The Birth of Tequila Tequila is a distilled spirit made from the blue agave plant , primarily in the region surrounding the city of Tequila, in the state of Jalisco, Mexico. To make tequila: The agave plant matures over 7–10 years . The leaves are cut off, and the piña (heart of the agave) is extracted. The piñas are cooked to convert the starches into sugars. They are crush...