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Writer's pictureNguyễn Trung Kiên

17 Golden Principles for Success in Career and Life: How Many Have You Mastered?

Updated: Aug 22

Have you ever wondered why some people always achieve great success, even if they started with nothing? They aren’t necessarily smarter, more skilled, or luckier than you. The secret lies in consistently practicing these basic principles every day with determination and persistence. If you’re ready to make a change, this article serves as the “roadmap” guiding you toward success. Here, you’ll find not just theoretical advice but real stories, deep lessons, and actionable tips you can apply immediately.

There’s a story I’ll never forget. It’s about an old friend of mine—someone who started from zero, with no money, no connections, and not even a high-level education. Yet, within just five years, he became one of the youngest leaders at a major tech company. What was his secret? It wasn’t natural talent; it was the principles he persistently followed every day. I’m going to share those 17 principles with you—principles that helped him and could potentially change your life.


Table of Contents:


  1. Choose the Right People to Share With: Sharing with the right people helps protect your reputation and information.

  2. Control Your Emotions and Ambitions: Stay calm in every situation to make the right decisions.

  3. Be Careful with Every Word: Think carefully before you speak to avoid regret.

  4. Respect Everyone: Respect is the key to building lasting relationships.

  5. Maintain Work-Life Balance: Don’t let work take over your entire life.

  6. Constantly Strive for Growth: Keep learning so you’re not left behind.

  7. Make an Impact the Right Way: Know how to shine without being boastful.

  8. Avoid Arguments with Your Superiors: Always maintain respect in your work relationships.

  9. Learn New Skills: Investing in yourself is an investment that never fails.

  10. Don’t Bring Negative Emotions Home: Keep your family and personal life happy.

  11. Don’t Underestimate Others: Respect is the foundation of success.

  12. Always Prepare Backup Plans: Be ready for unexpected situations.

  13. Know Your Limits: Focus on your strengths and don’t try to do everything.

  14. Build Trust Through Actions: Talk less and do more to prove your worth.

  15. Maintain Boundaries in Relationships: Closeness doesn’t mean there’s no need for boundaries.

  16. Practice Gratitude: Always be thankful to those who help you.

  17. Be Persistent and Consistent: Only persistence will lead you to true success.

 

Transform Your Life with These 17 Golden Principles

Applying the 17 golden principles to your daily life not only helps you develop yourself but also brings balance and sustainable success. From how to control your emotions, build positive habits to maintain consistency, these principles will be the key to helping you overcome difficulties and achieve your goals. Discover and implement these simple yet powerful steps to make your life more meaningful and fulfilling.

1. Choose the Right People to Share With

Have you ever accidentally shared an idea or a personal plan and ended up facing unexpected trouble? I’ve been there. Once, I trusted a coworker and shared a business plan with them. A few weeks later, that idea was not only spread around but also blatantly copied. From that experience, I learned that sharing with the right people is extremely important.

Lesson: Only share important information with truly trustworthy people, and always think twice before revealing anything significant. Sometimes, silence is golden.

Illustrative Example: Did you know that Mark Zuckerberg kept his plans for Facebook secret from even those close to him? This helped him protect his idea from being copied and build the billion-dollar social network we know today.

Image Suggestion: (An illustration of "safety circles," representing different levels of trust—closest to the center are those most trustworthy.)


Picture a 'safe distance' between the circles, the closest being the most trustworthy people
Picture a 'safe distance' between the circles, the closest being the most trustworthy people
 

2. Control Your Emotions and Ambitions

We’ve all had moments when we let our emotions or ambitions get the best of us. But remember, staying calm is key to making the right decisions. Imagine standing at a major crossroads—if emotions take over, you could easily choose the wrong path.

Story: Once, during a tense meeting, I felt immense pressure and wanted to argue back immediately. But I chose to hold back and think before speaking. In the end, I convinced the team without offending anyone.

Lesson: Staying calm and thinking before acting will guide you in the right direction, even in the most stressful situations.

Diagram of the “decision-making process” including steps: stop, breathe, think, act
Diagram of the “decision-making process” including steps: stop, breathe, think, act
 

3. Be Careful with Every Word

Have you ever said something that you later regretted? A seemingly harmless comment can cause deep wounds or even break a relationship.

Example: Warren Buffett once said, “It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.” Always think carefully before speaking.

Lesson: Before saying anything, take a moment and ask yourself, “Is this necessary?” and “Could this have negative consequences?” If there’s even a small doubt, it’s better to stay silent.

A person is standing at a fork in the road with one path called "Caution" and the other path "Spontaneous".
A person is standing at a fork in the road with one path called "Caution" and the other path "Spontaneous".
 

4. Respect Everyone

Respect isn’t just basic courtesy; it’s the bridge that connects you to lasting relationships. Remember, everyone has value, and showing appreciation for others will earn you respect in return.

Story: In a large company, there was a janitor who was respected by everyone for his dedication. The respect he received stemmed from his consistent effort and willingness to help others.

Lesson: When you respect others, they’ll be more willing to cooperate and support you. Respect is the foundation of all successful relationships.


A handshake image with the word “Respect” surrounded by symbols of friendship, colleagues, and partnerships
A handshake image with the word “Respect” surrounded by symbols of friendship, colleagues, and partnerships
 

5. Maintain Work-Life Balance

Have you ever felt exhausted and frustrated because work consumed too much of your time? Don’t let that happen! Work is important, but your life is even more so.

Story: A famous entrepreneur once shared, “If you don’t spend time with your family, all the success in your career becomes meaningless.” After a period of stress, he decided to dedicate more time to his loved ones and found balance in his life.

Lesson: Set clear boundaries between work and personal life. This not only keeps you healthier but also improves your work performance.


(A balanced scale with work on one side and family, health, and happiness on the other
(A balanced scale with work on one side and family, health, and happiness on the other
 

6. Constantly Strive for Growth

Never stop learning and developing yourself—this is a key principle of successful people. No matter where you are, there’s always something new to discover and skills to enhance.

Example: Bill Gates, despite being a billionaire and the founder of Microsoft, still spends hours each week reading and updating his knowledge.

Lesson: Never get complacent with your current success. Constant growth is the way to stay ahead.

(An image of someone climbing stairs labeled with skills: Learn, Develop, Improve
(An image of someone climbing stairs labeled with skills: Learn, Develop, Improve
 

7. Make an Impact the Right Way

You don’t always need to say much or show off to be recognized. Sometimes, staying silent and letting your work speak for itself creates the strongest impression.

Story: On a big project, I chose not to be flashy but focused solely on delivering results. When it was completed, those evaluating the project were impressed with the consistency and effectiveness I brought.

Lesson: Don’t let your words define your value—let your results do the talking.


A light bulb shining brightly among others that are off, symbolizing standing out through actions rather than words
A light bulb shining brightly among others that are off, symbolizing standing out through actions rather than words
 

8. Avoid Arguments with Your Superiors

Arguing with your boss not only breaks trust but could also cost you career advancement opportunities. Know when to listen and the right time to present your views.

Lesson: Wisdom lies in knowing when to speak and when to stay silent. This helps you maintain good relationships while also earning respect from your superiors.


The image shows a person: listening - analyzing - choosing the right moment - offering solutions
The image shows a person: listening - analyzing - choosing the right moment - offering solutions
 

9. Learn New Skills

In today’s constantly changing world, new skills are the most valuable asset. Learning a new skill not only opens new doors but also helps you adapt to changes in work and life.

Example: Elon Musk taught himself programming and engineering management from a young age—skills that helped him build giant companies like Tesla and SpaceX.


Image of a person with many skill icons around such as programming, creativity, soft skills
Image of a person with many skill icons around such as programming, creativity, soft skills
 

10. Don’t Bring Negative Emotions Home

Work stress is inevitable, but don’t let it affect your family. Home is where you find peace and recharge to be ready for the challenges ahead.

Lesson: Find a way to relieve stress before stepping into your home, like meditation, listening to music, or going for a walk. This helps you stay positive and create a warm family atmosphere.

An image of someone leaving work at the door and entering a warm, loving home environment.
An image of someone leaving work at the door and entering a warm, loving home environment.
 

11. Don’t Underestimate Others

Everyone has unique value, and underestimating them not only misses out on opportunities but also shows a lack of professionalism. Focus on their capabilities rather than judging by appearance.

Lesson: Always respect those around you because you never know what value they might bring to your life.

(A group of people working together, showing mutual respect and support
(A group of people working together, showing mutual respect and support
 

12. Always Prepare Backup Plans

When everything goes according to plan, you may feel safe. But remember, surprises can always happen. Backup plans help you stay prepared and ready for any situation.

Example: Steve Jobs always had a backup plan for every Apple product, which helped the company maintain stability and lead the market for years.


A diagram of “Backup Planning” with steps: Risk Forecasting – Strategy Planning – Solution Preparation.
A diagram of “Backup Planning” with steps: Risk Forecasting – Strategy Planning – Solution Preparation.
 

13. Know Your Limits

You don’t have to be good at everything, but you should excel at what you do best. This helps you optimize your efficiency and avoid distractions from unimportant tasks.

Lesson: Learn to say no to tasks that aren’t your strong suit and focus on your strengths. Sometimes, saying no is the smartest step toward success.

An image of a person choosing the path “Focus on Strengths” instead of “Trying to Do Everything.
An image of a person choosing the path “Focus on Strengths” instead of “Trying to Do Everything.
 

14. Build Trust Through Actions

Words may create an initial impression, but actions build lasting trust. Let what you do demonstrate your worth instead of just talking.

Story: I once worked with a colleague who didn’t talk much, but every time he completed a task, everyone was impressed by his precision and efficiency.


An image of a bridge labeled “Trust” built from action bricks
An image of a bridge labeled “Trust” built from action bricks
 

15. Maintain Boundaries in Relationships

Being too close can sometimes lead to encroaching on others’ personal space. Learn to maintain appropriate boundaries to keep relationships balanced.

Lesson: Healthy boundaries not only maintain respect but also help avoid unnecessary conflicts in both work and personal life.


A diagram of “Relationship Boundaries” with levels: Close – Social – Professional.
A diagram of “Relationship Boundaries” with levels: Close – Social – Professional.
 

16. Practice Gratitude

Gratitude is not just a sign of humility—it’s the foundation for attracting more good things into your life.

Lesson: Write down three things you’re grateful for each day. This keeps you focused on the positives and maintains an optimistic mindset.


An image of a gratitude journal with positive notes.
An image of a gratitude journal with positive notes.
 

17. Be Persistent and Consistent

Success isn’t a sprint—it’s a long journey requiring persistence and consistency. Stay committed to your goals, and step by step, you’ll reach the finish line.

Story: Many successful entrepreneurs like Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos faced numerous failures before they succeeded. What set them apart was their unwavering persistence.

(An image of a person climbing a mountain, with each step symbolizing persistence and determination.
(An image of a person climbing a mountain, with each step symbolizing persistence and determination.
 

Conclusion:

You can start today. Choose one principle and apply it to your daily life. You’ll be surprised by the positive changes you’ll see immediately. Remember, success doesn’t come from doing many things at once but from consistently practicing these principles every day.

Next Steps:

  • Share this article with those you care about.

  • Take on a 7-day challenge with one of these principles and track your progress.

  • Join a personal development community to learn more from those who have succeeded.

Reference articles:

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