Most successful people share these 2 simple traits, and you can learn them too: Bestselling author reveals

When it comes to understanding the habits of high achievers, few have gone as deep as bestselling author and entrepreneur Tim Ferriss. After spending more than a decade interviewing some of the most successful people in the world, Ferriss has identified two habits that consistently stand out. They may sound simple, but they hold the power to transform lives. According to Ferriss, the traits most successful people share are regular meditation and the ability to say “no.”

According to Ferriss' conversation with CNBC Make It, these two habits are not just popular, they are also powerful. Ferriss, who rose to fame with his bestselling book The 4-Hour Workweek, has interviewed hundreds of top performers on his podcast The Tim Ferriss Show. From elite investors and Silicon Valley founders to world-class athletes and mental health experts, many of them attribute their sustained success to these core practices.

Meditation: The unseen mental workout

Ferriss estimates that over 70 percent of the successful individuals he has spoken to follow a meditation practice of some kind. This doesn’t always mean sitting cross-legged in silence. It can include a wide range of calming and reflective activities that sharpen the mind and restore focus.


For Ferriss himself, the preferred method is Transcendental Meditation, a technique that involves silently repeating a mantra for 20 minutes twice a day. This practice has attracted an impressive list of followers, including Oprah Winfrey, Jack Dorsey, Lady Gaga, and hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio. Even Bill Gates, who once dismissed meditation as mystical nonsense, eventually adopted it in his 60s. He now practices it for about 10 minutes a few times a week and credits it for improving his ability to concentrate.

For those who find traditional meditation difficult, Ferriss suggests rhythmic activities like running or swimming. These forms of movement can serve as a gateway to mindfulness, offering many of the same cognitive benefits by helping the mind settle and stay present.

The discipline of saying 'no'

While meditation strengthens the internal ability to focus, the second trait helps manage the external world. Ferriss points out that most high achievers are skilled at saying “no.” In a world full of distractions, this ability can make or break a person’s ability to stay on track.

He cites Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, who believed that innovation often comes from knowing what to eliminate. Jobs famously said, “Focusing is about saying no.” Ferriss agrees, explaining that successful people protect their time fiercely and make deliberate choices about what gets their attention.

Warren Buffett echoes this sentiment. In the book Atomic Habits, Buffett is quoted saying, “The difference between successful people and really successful people is that really successful people say no to almost everything.”

How you can apply these habits

The good news is that both of these traits are not exclusive to celebrities or billionaires. They are skills anyone can build with time and practice. Ferriss emphasizes that setting boundaries does not have to be harsh. Simple phrases like “Can I get back to you tomorrow?” or even a polite “No, thank you” can help maintain focus without causing friction.

In a time where constant connectivity and competing priorities dominate our lives, these two habits offer a roadmap to clarity and calm. They may seem basic, but they are often the difference between busy and truly productive.

So whether you are climbing the corporate ladder or building something of your own, learning to sit in stillness and stand firm in your boundaries could be your key to success.