Influence, money, and power are highly valued in society today. It makes sense. Being able to get others to do what you would like them to do can help your dreams become realities.

Financial stability and freedom allow for more opportunity and comfortability in life. Having money and influence leads to power which gives you an opportunity to impact people, organizations, and communities around you. This is all, hopefully, for the better.

While there are certain life factors that you cannot control, like your height or the amount of wealth you were born into, there are many others that you can control to become more successful.

Correctly navigating what is in your hands will lead you towards a great life. Here are 9 proven steps you can take immediately to gain influence, money, and power in your future:

  1. Listen to other people when they talk.

People love to talk about themselves. The problem is that they do not often get the chance to do so extensively. We live in our own bodies and heads 100 percent of the time. Therefore, we accumulate endless experiences, ideas, and thoughts.

Being able to share those with others gives us validation and a sense of warmth. Therefore, a great way to gain influence with others is to truly listen to them. Ask good questions and dive into the things that they actually care about.

Enabling people to talk about themselves will create positive associations in their mind with you, and it will make them happier. Then, when you might need a favor or they can help you with something, they will be much more willing to do so.

  1. Carry yourself with confidence.

For better or worse, people make instantaneous judgments the second that someone walks into a room. Those that exude confidence are more often trusted, have an easier time making friends and more frequently receive new opportunities. Therefore, be more confident in yourself.

This is no easy task and it takes true self-love. Developing that self-love, though, will have a dramatic impact on how others perceive you. Despite the fact that first impressions are often wrong, there are many cases when we only get a first impression.

Consequently, consider the posture that you have, your smile when you enter a room and the assurance in your voice when you speak. These are all leading indicators of confidence, and displaying this confidence can greatly increase your influence on others.

  1. Use humor.

Humor is an excellent way to meet new people. It helps eliminate barriers, and sharing a laugh with someone fosters positive connections. If you have a natural sense of humor, make the most of it in your life. If you’re not naturally funny, like many people, don’t worry; there’s still hope.

Taking yourself less seriously and using self-deprecating humor are easy ways to become instantaneously funnier. You do not have to force jokes, but making those around you laugh and feel comfortable goes a far way towards creating strong relationships.

  1. Be reliable.

To gain influence, power and wealth, your reputation is important. Therefore, being someone who follows through on their word is critical. Do not say you are going to do something if you are unsure that you can.

If not, you’ll often fall short, which can affect how others see you. Moreover, to achieve wealth, you usually need to consistently deliver good work. So, make being dependable a priority. This will earn you trust from others and increase your chances for promotions.

  1. Work harder than those around you.

Everybody wants to be wealthy, successful and famous. Very few people are willing to put in the work, though. It is easy when everyone around you is working or when you are getting recognition for your efforts.

It is much more challenging, though, to continue to work hard when nobody is looking. This is absolutely critical to developing influence and becoming successful. It is in the hours that others are sleeping or relaxing that you can get ahead.

You can pick up new skills, learn more, and create a larger impact. That said, it is important to find at least some time for yourself so that you do not burn out.

  1. Be independent.

Society tells us we should act in particular ways. This tends to include watching a lot of TV, partying, sleeping a certain amount each day, pursuing certain professions, and so forth. In order to become the most successful, you have to be independent.

Although it can be challenging, doing so will open countless doors. It will enable you to spend more time doing what you love, which will increase happiness levels and help you avoid burnout.

It will also allow you to escape norms and do things differently. The most successful people in society have all been independent thinkers and doers.

  1. Get good at the little things.

There are a number of little things that you can take with you throughout your day to dramatically improve your relationships with others. When you are seeing someone for the first time in a while, give them a beaming smile that shows you are happy to see them.

Remember people’s names instead of making an excuse that you have a bad memory. Listen when people tell you they have a big interview or surgery coming up.

Then, you can follow up with them. Doing so will show thoughtfulness and build a deeper relationship. Taking these small efforts to make those around you feel more loved will increase the influence and power that you have.

  1. Come up with thoughtful goals.

We spend 90 percent of our time on the execution of our goals and responsibilities. Therefore, be very thoughtful about what you are working towards during any given period of time.

Whether you want to develop certain skills, grow your network, or receive a promotion, figuring out what your goals are will drastically improve your orientation towards them.

This will allow you to be more efficient and effective with your time, which will lead to greater chances where you can gain influence, wealth and success.

  1. Take risks.

In order to stand out from others and gain influence, you have to be willing to take chances. Risk-taking is a big success-blocker for many people. Putting each choice in the larger context of your life and the world can help you realize that things are often not as big of a deal as they seem.

It is through taking chances that we are able to accomplish great things. Whether this is quitting your job because you do not like it, taking an exciting opportunity that is riskier on the surface, or even approaching someone for a conversation when you feel awkward, these risks will propel you in life.