Success Leaves Clues

If there’s one truth I’ve learned (and lived) again and again, it’s this: Success doesn’t happen by accident. It leaves a trail. It leaves footprints. It leaves clues — subtle ones, obvious ones, and occasionally flashing-neon-billboard ones. And if we pay attention, we can learn from people who have walked the path before us and carve our own version of success with a little more clarity and a little less chaos.

Now, success is personal — deeply so. What looks like success to one person may not resemble anything close to what another wants. Some people want to write a book, some want to learn French, some want to speak up more in meetings, and some just want to make it through a Tuesday without yelling at the coffee maker. (A noble pursuit.)

But regardless of the flavor, the patterns of success are strikingly consistent. Let’s look at some of them.

Success Clue #1: Successful People Have a Plan (Even a Small One)

Not a 47-page life blueprint. Not a five-year strategic vision board laminated and color-coded. Just a direction.

Every successful outcome I’ve had came because I decided — even vaguely — what I wanted. When I wrote my first newsletter, I didn’t know exactly where it was going, but I did know I wanted to say something meaningful on a regular basis.

Tip: Write down one clear goal for the next 30 days. Not a year — 30 days.

Then write the first two steps.

Not ten.

Two.

(You can’t get there if you don’t know where you are going, right?)

Success Clue #2: The Consistency is the Magic

We love the idea of overnight success — but “overnight success” stories usually have a 10-year backstory of trial, error, and stubborn persistence.

Success accumulates like snowflakes.

Tiny, repeated actions build momentum.

Want to get stronger? Stretch daily for 10 minutes.

Want to write a book? Write 200 words a day.

Want to launch a new idea? Work on it 20 minutes a day.

Not exciting, but wildly effective.

Tip: Set a small daily non-negotiable. Keep it doable enough that you won’t break the chain.

(Hard by the yard, cinch by the inch)

Success Clue #3: They Learn from Others — Without Copying Them

We can admire someone else’s path without feeling the need to duplicate it. Instead of asking, “How can I be them?” ask:

What did they do that I can apply to my own life in my own way?

For example:

• Oprah reads obsessively — so reading can be a success clue.
• Michelle Obama speaks her truth — so courage can be a success clue.
• Your neighbor who has fantastic tomatoes composts and waters consistently — so stewardship and patience are success clues.

Tip: Identify one person who is successful in a way you respect.

Write down three habits they demonstrate.

Borrow one.

Success Clue #4: They Know How to Rest

Success is not built on burnout.

Even nature has seasons — there is a reason winter exists. Growth happens in cycles: push, pause, restore, repeat.

When we rest, we recharge our creativity, patience, and problem-solving capacity.

When we don’t — everything gets harder.

Rest is not quitting.

Rest is strategy.

Tip: Schedule 20 minutes of intentional rest today.

Not scrolling. Not doom-thinking.

Actual rest.

Success Clue #5: They Don’t Wait for Confidence — They Act into It

Confidence isn’t a prerequisite for action — it’s the result of action.

Every first step feels awkward.

Every new thing feels tender.

But each time we move anyway, we build trust in ourselves.

And that is the foundation of every successful life.

Tip: Do one small thing today that feels slightly uncomfortable — not terrifying, just new.

Then notice how you feel afterward.

Success leaves clues everywhere — in books, in conversations, in failure, in stories, in your own memories, and in the women you admire. You don’t need to run; you don’t need to hustle yourself into a puddle.

Just observe.

Borrow what works.

Repeat what helps.

Rest when needed.

Keep going gently, consistently.

Your success story is already underway.

Julie Bolejack, MBA

juliebolejack.com

mindfulactivist.etsy.com