The most effective entrepreneurs view
themselves as assets. They continually invest in themselves and in their future
through continuing education and self-improvement.
If you want to become a better
entrepreneur and successfully grow your business, dedicate time and energy to
improve your daily habits.
Here are 15 things many business
influencers make time for in their busy schedules.
1. Eat breakfast. To work at your peak performance, your
body needs fuel. Rather than just grab a cup of coffee on your way to the
office, take a few minutes to eat a meal or drink a protein smoothie — even if
it’s on the go.
2. Plan your day. First thing in the morning, look at
your calendar and prioritize your schedule. If you work best during a specific
time of the day, block out those hours for quiet work time. I do my best work
in the mornings, so I try to schedule at least 90 minutes to work on my writing
before daily distractions begin. While you’re at it, schedule short breaks
throughout the day to eat a healthy snack and keep your energy up.
3. Don’t check email right away. It’s tough not to hop on your
smart phone first thing in the morning and see who’s emailed you. Often
checking email is a distraction from what you want to focus on early in the
day. Try to wait until 9 a.m. or 10 a.m. to check email, after you’ve completed
at least one of your critical to-do items. If you’re working on an important
project, try not to check your email more than three times a day.
4. Remember your purpose. Take a few moments at the start
of each workday to remind yourself of your company’s goals. Think about your
core customer and which areas of your business are most profitable. We
oftentimes get caught up in the minutia of daily tasks we lose sight of what
brings us happiness and profitability.
5. Single-task. We live in a world that praises
multi-tasking. Unfortunately, when you have too much going on at once you may
become distracted by interruptions and unimportant glitches. To be productive
and effective, prioritize, delegate whenever possible and focus.
6. Visualize. It may feel silly, but close your
eyes and envision your success. Imagine what you will feel like when you reach
your goals. Visualization is a powerful tool and can help you keep your
aspirations at the front of your mind. It might also help to post a picture of
what you’d like to accomplish. For example, if you’re interested in taking a
trip to Paris, post of photo of the Eiffel Tower on your desk.
7. Say no. Entrepreneurs especially feel
pressure to accept every opportunity that comes their way. However, not every
opportunity will benefit you or your business. Time is our most valuable
commodity. Be selective about what you agree to do.
8. Value your time. Unlike money, time is a
non-renewable resource. There’s simply no way to make more of it. Guard your
time and spend it doing the most important things for yourself and your
company. Avoid distractions whenever possible. Whether you facilitate or attend
a meeting, online or in person, get clear about the start and end time.
Whenever someone requests a meeting or consultation with you, try asking for
the questions in advance so you can do your research ahead of time. This
will keep you on time and on task.
9. Delegate. In the early days of my business, I
thought I could save money and do everything myself. Then I realized the small,
mundane tasks were taking me away from those things that generated the most
income for my business. I was on the fast track to burnout. When you become
overwhelmed with work or can’t figure out a solution, hire someone to help.
10. Listen. Be present when you speak with a
colleague or employee. Take the time to fully understand what the other person
is saying. Leaders who listen effectively avoid miscommunications and are less
likely to have to ask for clarification later.
11. Show gratitude. Make it a daily habit to sit down
and be thankful for all the opportunities you have been given and all the
things you’ve accomplished so far. Simply reminding yourself of your past
successes will keep you focused, present and productive.
12. Stand up and move around. Did you know sitting is the new
smoking? This car-commuting, desk-bound lifestyle can be harmful to your
health. Studies show it raises the risk of disability, diabetes, heart disease,
certain types of cancer and obesity. No matter when you can make time for it
during the day, take a few minutes to stand up and take activity breaks every
hour or so. It’s good for your body and mind.
13. Breathe deeply. Many people take shallow breaths.
Every hour or so, stand up from your desk, stretch and take 10 deep breaths.
The quick break and boost of oxygen will reinvigorate you for your next task.
14. Take a lunch break. Get up from your desk and eat
lunch elsewhere. If you can’t spare even a moment away from work during the
day, make lunch your networking hour. Schedule lunch meetings throughout the
week with key clients, professional acquaintances or friends.
15. Clear your desk. At the end of each day, clear the
clutter from your desk. Put away your pens, stack loose paper and straighten
other items. A clear desk will give you a clean slate for the next day and
prevent you from feeling bogged down by yesterday’s work.
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