Michelle Obama’s Habits That Led To Her Success
- Lacey Avery
- Mar 3, 2019
- 4 min read
Updated: Oct 27, 2022
A recurring question Michelle asked herself, Am I good enough?
“The life of a girl who can’t stop wondering, am I good enough? and is still trying to show herself the answer.”
Michelle Obama’s (MO’s) autobiography. Her novel was very well written and certainly proved to be relatable and entertaining. She shared stories that had me smiling and feeling giddy such as how/when she met Barack Obama and fell in love. Accounts that had me tear up or feel angry, and White House stories that made me feel pride. As well as many more significant memories and turning points in her life.
Southside to First Lady.
My main reason for applauding her story is because of where she came from. Michelle Robinson did not grow up privileged. She grew up on the South side of Chicago with extremely hard working and selfless parents that encouraged her and her brother to go the distance. I found her story inspiring.
Michelle Becoming Obama.
I wanted to highlight a few characteristics about her that stood out for me, attributes that certainly aided to her success. These patterns in MO’s character, her chosen behaviors, are also common among other great and successful people. And that’s all they are, chosen behaviors and habits that anybody can acquire for themselves.
This recipe for success I have listed below are put simply. Because they are simple, though not always easy to harness. Straightforward habits that would positively change anybody's life when practiced with willpower.
She was Brave.
Michelle was constantly tried and uncomfortable, but she always took the next necessary step to move forward. Even when that meant she would stand out in a room x2. Being a student at Princeton she was a minority. A black student and a woman, among classrooms full of white males, in the 70’s… She spoke about these experiences as being intimidating and uncomfortable at first, but eventually adjusts from the awkwardness to find her voice and confidence in those classrooms. —Stick with it!
She took Risks.
After a few years of working as a lawyer in a fancy high rise building in downtown Chicago with a decent paycheck, MO realized she felt unfulfilled and her spirit dulled in her career field. She wished to change pathways and began the process of switching careers, but had no idea in which direction to go. She journaled. She soul searched. Asked herself the hard and honest questions, “What kind of person do I want to be? How do I want to contribute to the world?”
With only a law degree and law experience under her belt though, this double-back career shift proved to be more difficult than she anticipated. She would take a major pay cut with hefty student loan debt, and with great uncertainty ahead of her. But she forged ahead determined to find joy and fulfillment in her work. —Listen to that little voice inside of you.
She Prioritized Herself.
I found Michelle’s ability and persistence to take charge of her own life admirable. She learned to prioritize her own needs, regardless of Barack’s contrasting schedule and different priorities.
Structure and predictability gave her comfort. Barack was completely different from her in this regard, often not making it home in time for family dinner. In their early years as a family, MO tried being flexible with Barack’s ever changing schedule, but was often left frustrated by his inconsistency and late nights.
After seeking counsel, she realized that she was living her schedule and life around someone else’s and not her own. This was a light-bulb moment and pivoting point for her happiness. So she stuck to a strict schedule she created for herself. Early rise time, workout routine, a rigid dinner time and bed time; because that’s what made her feel in control, healthy, and happy.
A strict schedule may not be the answer for some, but the point here is that MO knew this about herself. Therefore, made it a priority for the sake of her own happiness. —Do You!
She Ignored the Naysayers.
The high school student counselor who told her, “I don’t think you are Princeton material.” She could have easily let this counselor get into her head, but understood that not everyone’s opinion of you matters. She continued on the path she believed was right for her.
Or being first lady in the white house, all eyes all over the country and world were on her family. She quickly became a target for the fastidious media and internet trolls. People who judged every detail of every outfit she wore, decision she made, and move she took. She did not adjust gracefully into the world of politics as Barack seemed to. Naturally a sensitive person and unfamiliar with being in the spotlight, she found the judgement to be harsh and hellacious to to keep up with..
However, she grew accustomed to it and found her structured techniques and solutions that protected her. Doing what she could and blocking out the rest. —Believe in yourself.
Good Old Fashion Hard Work.
This one is perhaps the most important. On the road to success, there is no way around good-ol’ work ethic. You could possess all the other qualities listed here, but still live a mundane unsuccessful life without hard work. Turned the other way, you could possess non of the other qualities listed here, and you are bound to find some kind of success with hard work.
Throughout Michelle’s life, she was no stranger to it. Even at a young age, teenage and college years, she would rise early to catch a bus if she needed to, and delve back into her books after school only breaking for dinner hour. After graduating law school, she worked 70 hours a week in her high rise office building in downtown Chicago.
In Michelle’s case, this characteristic seemed to be engrained. But work ethic is simply a habit that can be harnessed and learned by anyone at any age, regardless of prior experiences and habit patterns. —Work!
All of these takeaways may sound trite to some, but they have stood the tests of time and will probably always ring true. Michelle Obama and many others are examples that bravery, risk-taking, tenacity, resilience, and hard work are sure to pay off. Invest in yourself.
Side note — Did anyone else notice that the title on the spine binder of this book is upside down? Lol. Or is that just my copy?
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