New Delhi, Sept. 20 -- Success can seem distant when daily life revolves around deadlines, bills and family responsibilities. Steven Bartlett's book, The Diary of a CEO: The 33 Laws of Business and Life, explores habits and decisions that shape personal and professional growth.

Its lessons offer useful starting points for students, employees and small business owners. Here are 5 ideas, with everyday examples showing how readers might apply them.

Steven Bartlett describes five connected buckets: knowledge, skills, contacts, resources and reputation. He places knowledge and skills first because they support everything that follows. A bigger title means little when you lack the ability to handle its responsibilities.

For example, someone ...