In order to be successful as a business leader it is important to start the day off on the right foot. Yet, which foot is that? What side of the bed do we need to come out on? Which foot goes into which shoe first?
Maybe these are more to ward off bad luck, yet in reality, there are studies that indicate which habits are most common among successful leaders. In order to obtain the kinds of results we want from our business lives, we’ve attributed 10 things most busy professionals should focus on to start their day.
Time Management For Leaders: Morning RoutinesWake Up Early
Now, some people don’t need to run on much sleep. For these people, waking up at 5am is no problem and they enjoy seeing the sunrise. Others can find it very difficult to do. Force yourself to go to bed earlier in order to wake up earlier. Even though it will be difficult at first, once you get it down into routine, it becomes so much easier.
Work Out
Exercising helps pump blood throughout the body. It fuels your muscles and it improves brain functionality. Even if you can’t get in the full 90 minute jog you like, instead, hit the weights for 30 minutes, go for a shorter jog, try out some pilates, or just do something to get your body moving in the morning. It wakes you up and shakes off the sleep.
Fresh Air
There’s nothing like a breathe of fresh air in the morning. Sometimes, nothing wakes you up better than the morning breeze. Open the windows and let in a breeze or take a few moments to be outside before you head into the office.
List Out Your Priorities
You have tasks you need to finish over the course of the day. Make a to-do list. Then, prioritize this to-do list. Write out which is most important and schedule the tasks together that make sense. Perhaps you can pick up the dry-cleaning on the drive home. Combine nearby tasks for precision.
Visualize
Visualize your success. Look at how to start a task during the day and what you need to do to accomplish it. So, when you begin the task, it feels like you’ve already done it before.
Goals
Everyone needs goals. It is something to strive for. There are short term goals and long term goals. Make sure to go over your goals every day. This can refocus your efforts and keep your eye on the prize. Nobody ever wins when they are wandering. Focus leads to precision, which leads to success.
Eat Breakfast
This is the most important meal of the day. There is no way to get around it. Skipping it is a terrible idea and sets you up for an afternoon energy crisis. Sometimes you might need to have an even earlier start, in which case grab some fruit or a granola bar for the road. A healthy breakfast can get you going and energize you for the rest of the day.
Meditate
Take a few minutes to just sit, reflect and think. Maybe this is while the coffee pot is brewing or the tea kettle is firing up. Take these few minutes to reflect on yourself and life.
Smile
Greet people with a smile. If you show them you are happy, they are more likely to respond in kind. They will also be happy to see you in the morning as well.
Declutter
Maintain a clean work space. It is hard to function properly when your desk is a mess. You’ll also wander more mentally, which takes your eyes off the goal.
These tips are sound indicators that what you are doing is going to be good for you and your business. Time management for leaders and successful habits will create the type of daily structure you need to keep you focused and pointed in the direction of success! Good luck!
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