What Successful Entrepreneurs Do Daily to Succeed
If you’re an entrepreneur, you know that time is at a premium. There’s no shortage of work to be done. It can be easy to get sidetracked with the little details and get distracted from the big picture things you need to focus on.
The most successful entrepreneurs, however, seem to have things they do every day to keep themselves on track and moving forward.
Have a Routine
You’ve to create a daily schedule and stick to it. It doesn’t really matter how you structure your schedule as long as you do it. If you’re more productive at night, for example, you may want to start your day a little later so you’ve got the energy you need after dark.
Visualize Your Goals
Part of that daily routine should include time to think about your purpose and your big goals. It’s way too easy to forget what’s really important when you’re barraged with mountains of details every day. Don’t let minutia distract you from reaching your goals. It helps to visualize your goals and what you’re working for.
Stay Organized
Schedule everything you need to do. The act of putting a day and time next to something means you’re more likely to accomplish it. By organizing your day ahead of time and scheduling your work, you make sure to stay on track for the important things.
Stop Multi-Tasking
Nearly everybody believes they’re great at multi-tasking. The fact is they’re fooling themselves. Neuroscientists say we don’t really multi-task. What we’re doing is switching between tasks rapidly. Rather than saving time, we’re expending energy. There’s a price to pay for making your brain constantly stop and switch gears.
Place a Value on Time
Time is a non-renewable resource. When it’s gone, it’s gone. You shouldn’t feel obligated to give your time away just because someone else asks for it. Before you schedule that meeting, ask for details on what it’s about, what needs to be discussed, and what the outcome should be.
Take Breaks and Move Around
Take regular breaks. Research demonstrates improved focus when we work in 75-90-minute increments punctuated by short breaks. Taking short breaks after completing tasks helps your brain retain the information more effectively.
Recharge
Build in downtime. Watch TV. Go on a hike. Make time for a family dinner. We all need to recharge.
While you’re at it, make sure you get a good night’s sleep so you can wake up refreshed and ready to go the next day. Consider the bed you lay in every night. Are you using the right linens? Is your mattress the right firmness for your individual needs? It may be time to upgrade your sleeping arrangements. Compare different options and check out mattress reviews before making your purchase.
It’s not just a good idea to focus on better sleep, it’s proven science. Quality sleep improves cognition, concentration, productivity, and performance. And, it can make you healthier.
You also need exercise – even if you hate it.
Focus on What You Can Control
Entrepreneurs have an amazing spirit. They believe they can’t be stopped. Knock ‘em down and they’ll get right back in the fight. That’s great, except when it’s something that’s outside of your control. As they say, you can’t control what happens to you but you can control how you react.
Lifelong Learning
Successful professionals are lifelong learners. They are typically voracious readers and consume books, blogs, and information as part of their daily routine. It keeps them current and expands their perspective.
Stay Connected
Another thing that entrepreneurs do is stay connected. This means networking and building contacts. They also tend to surround themselves with great people that are a positive influence on them. If there are people that sap your strength, bring you down, or holding you back, it’s time for a purge. You need a strong support system that builds you up.
Delegate
This may be one of the most difficult things, yet most important things, for entrepreneurs to practice. It may be true that you’ll do a better job at it than the person you ask to do it. But there are three things to consider here:
- Is the task the best use of your time to accomplish your bigger goals?
- If you don’t allow others to learn and grow, you’ll be stuck doing these tasks forever
- If you don’t have people capable of learning these tasks, you may not have the right people on your team.
If you don’t have the people you need on your team right now, schedule time to find them or outsource some of the work until you can get them on board.
Make the Most of Every Day
When there’s no blueprint for what to do – and no boss to tell you when to do it – you’ve got to make the most out of every day. If you’re an entrepreneur, we already know you’re not afraid to work hard and take some risks. The key is to create a daily routine that allows you the best opportunity to succeed.
This article has been published in accordance with Socialnomics’ disclosure policy.
