While there are many definitions of success, if you examine the lives of various people considered successful in their respective industries or fields of endeavor, you will find that they do these things each day.

If you take the time to cultivate these habits (customizing them for your own interests), I can promise that you will become successful as you define it. It is a guarantee.

1. Silly: Be silly. Learn to laugh. Do something each day that helps you laugh and/or appreciate the absurd. Laughter itself helps your mental and physical health in real, measurable ways.

2. Study: Truly take the time to research, learn and study about the topic that makes your heart sing. Each day, read a book, watch a video, take a lesson—add to your knowledge about your favorite subject.

3. Sip: Hydrate your body. Water has an almost magical effect on your body. When you are hydrated, you keep your carbon suit operating at its highest specifications. Your brain works better. Your metabolism operates efficiently. Your cells carry out their tasks easily. Make it your goal to drink at least 32 ounces of water a day. Keep in mind that you can also eat your water. Many foods can contribute to your water intake; celery, watermelon, grapes and cucumbers are just a few.

4. Support: Do something good for someone else today. Open a door. Make an introduction. Donate to a good cause. Call a friend and ask how they’re doing. DO NOT ASK FOR FAVORS IN RETURN. Give support. Paradoxically, by reinforcing your support system in this way, you are actually weaving a network that will be there for you when you need it.

5. Stillness: Spend at least 15 minutes in absolute silence. No phones. No meditation music. When you can successfully still your mind, you’ll have the discipline to remain calm when others are not. If 15 minutes seems like an overwhelming amount, begin with five minutes a day and work your way up.

Take the time to cultivate these habits. Consider them an investment in your own personal wellbeing. In so doing, you will not only improve your own situation, but you will improve the world around you by default.

These are really scary and tumultuous times, which makes this list even more important. If your to do list included just these five things, it would help you navigate the chaos. Why? Because whenever we feel powerless, it helps us to control something. Anything.

Controlling your choices is a powerful act.

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