We live in a fast-paced world. A sea of information can be accessed by a simple tap on a device. The devices themselves upgrade fast. The rate of improvement of consumer digital technology is so fast that the things you buy today may literally be outmoded tomorrow.

Because of the fast-paced environment, today's generation of young professionals also want everything to be fast. A lot of young professionals who have just entered the workforce want fast promotions. They try to work hard and play office politics to get what they aim for faster. They read success and self-help books to find wisdom from people who have succeeded in reaching their goals. Today's young professionals want success and they want it now.

This type of workforce culture can lead to frustrations and burnouts before these professionals even turn 30. Many of them will be awakened to the reality that there is no fast lane to success. Success is a daily grueling grind to the top and you have to be mentally prepared for this if you truly want it. The idea of aiming for one goal for at least five years is scary for most. They are not prepared for the possibility that there may be roadblocks in their journey to success and these roadblocks may seriously delay their climb.

The first mature thing to do when being confronted by this reality is to accept that you will not arrive at your intended destination within the time frame that you planned, but you will still strive to achieve it. The next step is to prepare for the daily grind of working for years to achieve your long-term goals. Part of preparing for this career journey is developing the right habits that will lead you to success. These habits have been proven by time not only to improve genuine productivity but also to maintain a healthy state of mind and avoid burnouts.