Every entrepreneur has to get the day started in a robust way if they want to maximize their productivity. Even though all successful entrepreneurs don’t follow the same rules or routines, they start their days very purposely or strategically. How you start your day can have an incredible impact on how the rest of it goes.
Psychologist Roy F. Baumeister, in his book Willpower: Rediscovering the Greatest Human Strength, suggests that our willpower is greatest in the morning. There’s also the morning cortisol awakening response that gives us the energy needed to tackle high-priority tasks after getting up. Therefore, having an early morning routine can help you optimize your productivity.
There are many morning routines or habits that can help people in the business world get off to a good start. We’ve put together a list of a few healthy habits that successful entrepreneurs have consistently followed during their morning routines. These habits can help you stay productive, learn to organize your schedule and remain efficient at everyday tasks.
Write Goals and To-Dos
Most successful entrepreneurs first plan, then prepare, and finally execute to achieve their goals. Set your goals for the week on Monday morning and write the essential to-dos for each day in the morning. As you go through your scheduled day, you might find it helpful to keep to-do lists and check the items off throughout the day. It can provide you with a feeling of accomplishment to cross tasks off the list, whether they’re large or small.
Read
Reading is one of the top traits of the world’s most successful leaders. Reading can provide you with the knowledge that can help you maintain your focus and increase your productivity. Even if this just means reading the day’s headlines, it can set you up for a productive and informed morning.
Exercise
Exercise is one of the most common elements in the morning routines of successful entrepreneurs. You can hit the gym, ride a bicycle, run, walk or do something else that gets your pulse going. Exercise is essential for having a healthy mind and body, especially for those who are going to sit in their offices all day.
Meditate
Breathing exercises and meditation are popular practices among high achievers. Meditation can help you keep your mind clear from doubts and fears and set a positive tone for the day. It could be in the form of a silent prayer or an expression of gratitude.
Many leaders find yoga helpful, because it combines exercise with quiet thought. Yoga makes it possible to let go of stressful thoughts that create undue pressure and lead to wrong decisions. It can help you stay fit and energetic all day.
Start Happy
Many entrepreneurs check the news, respond to personal messages or call family members after they leap out of bed. This seems like it might be counterproductive advice, but if that’s what makes you happy, start with it. You can also start your day by having breakfast with your loved ones or throwing the ball for your dog — the point is that you do something that gives you positive energy.
Schedule Your Day
Time is a critical factor for entrepreneurs, and you cannot have more or less of it. Therefore, plan what you’ll do in each time slot, and set your schedule for the day early morning to get important things done. Scheduling enables you to create a priority list of tasks to be done, ensuring that your time is spent efficiently. “You can cut your disruptions considerably by scheduling out every part of your day, including personal time,” says Anurag Pal, CEO of Escalon Services.
Listen to Inspiring Audio
What we wake up hearing often sets the mood for the day, so consider listening to inspiring audio. You can also listen to saved audio on your phone when you wake up. You can listen to a podcast, audiobook or a devotional or motivational speech while doing other things.
Take Time to Brainstorm
The best ideas often come early in the morning, but if you don’t write them down when they are fresh, you may miss them. Most people also find the morning to be the best time for decision making. Try to use morning time for a creative brainstorming session to come up with good ideas.
Be Consistent
Most successful entrepreneurs remain consistent with their morning routines wherever they travel. This helps them realign their body and mind to perform at the highest capacity. “It’s helpful to start each day at the same time, so you don’t fall behind and can more easily get into your routine,” says Sarah Lerche, chief financial officer with Escalon Services.
