5 habits to adopt now to get ahead of everyone else in 5 years

Five years from now, where do you want to be?

I ask this question because most people drift through life without any real intention. They react to whatever comes their way instead of actively shaping their future.

But here's what I've learned after years of analyzing human behavior: the people who truly get ahead aren't necessarily the smartest or most talented. They're the ones who develop specific habits that compound over time.

During my years as a financial analyst, I watched colleagues who seemed average eventually outpace brilliant peers. The difference? They had systems. They practiced consistency. They understood that small, daily actions create massive results over time.

The habits I'm sharing aren't flashy or complicated. In fact, they might seem almost boring. But that's exactly why they work. While everyone else is chasing the next big thing, you'll be quietly building the foundation for extraordinary success.

1. Question your assumptions daily

I think it's fair to say that most of us operate on autopilot, accepting inherited beliefs about money, success, relationships, and career without ever examining them.

I certainly did, at least. For years, I believed that success meant climbing the corporate ladder and accumulating more stuff. It wasn't until I started questioning these assumptions that I discovered what actually fulfilled me.

This habit changed everything for me. Every morning, I pick one belief I hold and ask: "Is this actually true? Where did this come from? How is it serving me now?"

Recently, I read Rudá Iandê's book Laughing in the Face of Chaos: A Politically Incorrect Shamanic Guide for Modern Life, and one insight particularly struck me. He writes: "Most of us don't even know who we truly are. We wear masks so often, mold ourselves so thoroughly to fit societal expectations, that our real selves become a distant memory."

This daily questioning isn't about becoming cynical or nihilistic. It's about conscious living. When you regularly examine your beliefs, you start making choices based on what's actually true for you, not what you think should be true.

2. Learn something completely unrelated to your field

This might sound counterintuitive, but developing expertise outside your professional area creates unexpected advantages. 

This is well backed by experts, too. For instance, the folks at the World Economic Forum ranked "Curiosity and lifelong learning" as top core skill for workers in 2025. 

Cross-pollination of ideas is where innovation happens. The insights from one field often solve problems in another. A musician might approach project management differently than an engineer. A chef might understand customer service in ways that surprise a business consultant.

I make it a point to spend at least an hour each week learning something completely unrelated to my work. Sometimes it's pottery, sometimes it's studying plant biology while gardening, sometimes it's learning about soil composition at the farmers' market where I volunteer.

This habit keeps your mind flexible and curious. And in a world where AI is automating many tasks, the ability to think creatively and make unique connections becomes invaluable.

3. Build genuine relationships before you need them

I learned this lesson the hard way during my corporate days. I was so focused on my immediate tasks that I never invested in relationships. When I finally decided to make a career change, I realized I had no network to support me. I had to start from scratch.

Now, I intentionally nurture relationships without any agenda. I check in with former colleagues, I offer help when I can, and I celebrate others' successes. It's not about networking—it's about genuine human connection.

The bonus is that this habit has opened doors I never expected. Writing opportunities, speaking engagements, and collaborations have all come through relationships I built simply because I cared about the people involved.

The most successful people I know aren't necessarily the most talented, but they're the ones others want to help succeed. They've invested in relationships consistently, not just when they needed something.

4. Embrace discomfort as data

When was the last time you leaned into something that made you uncomfortable?

Most people avoid discomfort at all costs. They stay in jobs that drain them, relationships that don't serve them, and routines that keep them small—all because change feels scary. But discomfort is often pointing us toward growth.

I used to hate public speaking. The thought of standing in front of a group made my palms sweat and my voice shake. But I forced myself to join a local speaking group anyway. Those uncomfortable moments taught me more about communication and confidence than any book ever could.

As Rudá Iandê questions in his book: "What if we could learn to embrace the discomfort of not knowing?" This insight has become a recent guiding principle for me. Instead of avoiding uncertainty, I've learned to see it as information about where I need to grow.

When you're uncomfortable, you're learning. When you're comfortable, you're probably not growing. The people who will excel in the next five years are those who can navigate uncertainty with grace.

5. Create systems, not just goals

Goals are important, but systems are what actually get you there. I learned this when I decided to become a writer. Setting a goal to "write more" didn't work. But creating a system—writing 500 words every morning before checking email—transformed my output.

Productivity expert, James Clear put this so well when he wrote, "You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems"  I've seen it firsthand. Systems remove the need for willpower and motivation. They create automatic progress toward what matters most.

My writing system includes specific times for research, drafting, and editing. My physical fitness system includes trail running three times a week and strength training twice. My learning system includes that weekly hour of exploring new topics.

Trust me, those who will be ahead in five years aren't necessarily more motivated—they have better systems. They've automated the behaviors that create success.

Final thoughts

These habits aren't glamorous. They won't make you rich overnight or transform your life by next week. But they will compound over time in ways that surprise you.

The people who will be ahead in the medium term are starting these practices now. They're not waiting for the perfect moment or the right circumstances. They're building the systems that create sustained success.

Which habit will you start with? Pick one—just one—and commit to it for the next 30 days. Your future self will thank you.