I put having good habits and routines down, as one of the important processes of building a successful business. I am a firm believer in having a structured morning routine to start the day, as well as a structured evening routine (or as it is sometimes called bookending) to end your day.
I like to start my day with some breath work and meditation. That makes me feel in a very calm place. Then, I will do some exercise – some days I run, on others I will go to the gym and at the weekends, I like to practice yoga, walk or merely do a stretch routine. At the end of my day, I like to relax and take myself away from any tech devices. I generally choose to read, do some breath work, listen to uplifting music, journal and plan my next working day, by hand-writing my ‘to do’ list.
The 10 daily habits are:
1. They read. Reading is an excellent way to unwind, stimulate creativity and to educated yourself. Plus, reading before going to sleep helps to relax you and get you ready for sleep. It is something I really like to do and I find it benefits me.
2. They stick to a daily routine. It is believed that creating routines will help boost your productivity and lower your stress levels. Being a solopreneur can be very stressful, so anything that can provide stability and reduce stress, has got to be good.
3. They listen to uplifting music. Do you have a song that never fails to boost your mood? I do…! Now, imagine how great your day would feel, if you started and ended it with a few of your most uplifting tunes? Listening to music can reduce stress and lower the stress hormone too.
4. They plan tomorrow, today. Always be ready for the next day. I swear by this one. If you are prepared, you are more likely to be more relaxed when your day arrives. You can be well planned by making your ‘to do’ list the night before, plan for any meetings, get your clothes ready for the morning, even make your lunch. But get prepped!
5. They meditate. Another one I swear by. It is important that as an entrepreneur you can think quickly and clearly. Meditation can help you to stay mindful, which can increase your focus and decision making. Another bonus of meditation is it is thought to help with sleep and to increase your energy levels.
6. They start their day with an exercise routine. To be honest, I could not imagine not having a morning exercise routine. Exercise improves your physical health, but it also helps to improve your creativity, memory and cognitive skills. If the structure of your day does not allow you to go to the gym or for a run etc, then maybe you could walk, even if you walk to get your morning coffee. You will be surprised how beneficial that can be.
7. They stay current. As a business owner it is important to keep up to date with what is going on in your industry sector. You could read trade publications, social media, news shows and take note of what other industry experts are saying, etc. Obviously, keep an objective mind, as not all you find on the internet can be relied upon.
8. They make time to unplug and unwind. It is a good idea to have time away from your tech and laptop. The average person spends approximately 3.5 hours on the internet. Entrepreneurs are thought to spend longer! Try to reduce your time on the screen, so you can reconnect with your thoughts and what is going on around you. You could even commit to spending a set amount of time offline.
9. They pace themselves and manage their time effectively. To be an effective solopreneur, you need to practice effective time management. Solopreneurs who do not develop effective time management are likely to be more stressed, plus those with poor time management strategies are likely to struggle with achieving goals.
10. They journal. This is one skill that I really find beneficial. When you journal, it helps you to practice gratitude, it also helps you reduce stress, as you can express yourself and put your thought down on paper. When you find that things are not going quite to plan, journaling helps you to identify what maybe going wrong, which then allows you to make changes.