Eight Habits of Successful

Eight Habits of Successful Middle School Students

1. Be Responsible and Know Yourself

• When the word “responsibility” is broken down, the key words are “respond” and “ability.” A successful person has the ability to respond to challenges.

• Choose your own response to a difficult situation beforehand, rather than wait for it to happen and not be prepared.

• Begin by looking honestly at your personal strengths and weaknesses, and determine your own sense of responsibility for your behavior, and for your family and friends.

2. Reflect Success

• Have a clear picture of the kind of person you would like to become and the types of goals that you want to achieve.

• Identify a positive adult role model, who has achieved the same goals and reflects the same success that you desire. You can imitate similar pathways to success.

• Not every role model has to be a famous basketball player or movie actor. Some of the best role models are in your own neighborhood, schools, churches, and even your own home.

3. Aim Toward Your Goal

• Put life, family, friends, and values in a good perspective.

• To design a successful career, start by first identifying the end goal, and then determine the steps necessary to obtain it.

• Find a caring adult who will be able to help you put your plan into place one step at a time.

4. Prioritize and Maximize

• Now that you have a successful vision of yourself, you can begin prioritizing your daily routine so that you are able to make the best use of your time and your energy.

• Don’t get caught up in things that may take you away from your goal, such as alcohol, drugs, or negative people.

• Anything that does not benefit your vision of success does not benefit you.

• Organize your work area and keep it free from distractions.

• Improve your organizational skills by using a daily planner, a personal “To Do” list, and a regular personal evaluation meeting with an adult or a mentor to check your progress.

5. Be a Winner

• Build relationships in which you and the other person both succeed. These are called “winwin” partnerships.

• These “win-win” partners should be friends whom you can call on for support, tutoring, or for conversation that helps you stay on track.

• Teachers, coaches, principals, and mentors could be partners who help you succeed.

6. Communicate

• Communication is the essential key to understanding.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions, and when answers are given be sure to listen.

• The cycle of communication is usually broken when you try to second-guess what others are trying to say.

• Try to understand the motivations and goals of others around you. This can improve your communications and increase your network of positive partnerships.

7. Connect to a Good Power Source

• Having access to strong, positive partners will increase your ability to succeed.

8. Stop, Look, and Listen

• Your world will continue to change and evolve, so be prepared to review, reevaluate, and renew your goals.

• Look at these changes not as disappointments, but as opportunities to improve a realistic plan for your long-term success.