H A B I T S ! Sure, there are bad ones and good ones; they're super easy to spot. There are habits that make you healthier, habits that make you fitter, habits that make you sleep better, and so on. But how can you tell which are the RIGHT ONES to help you achieve your goals? Surely you and I know so precisely what your goals are, don't we Mr/Mrs next Elon Musk? What's missing now is the list of habits! So it's time for you to ask yourself... Is there really a habit formula that will help you achieve your goal in no time? Unfortunately, there isn't. But that's okay. Habits are generally not one-size-fits-all, so why should entrepreneurship be any different? Besides, the most extraordinary things in life take time.
Last year, a challenge, rather a daily routine, became famous called "The 5 am challenge" based on "The 5 am club". This concept was actually first introduced by Robin Sharma, a Canadian writer, over twenty years ago. It was the formula he recommended to his clients to maximize their creativity and activate their health. It suggests an early morning routine, starting naturally at 5 am, with twenty minutes of exercise, twenty minutes of planning, and twenty minutes of learning. A few adjustments were made for the challenge, and everyone tried it out, including YouTubers. And so, by today, you've probably consumed at least two hours' worth of "5 am Challenge" videos of everyone succeeding and talking about how perfectly it worked for them and how they plan to keep the routine. That probably got you thinking about giving it a try too, and you know what? Maybe you should. It has worked for a lot of people, and maybe it will work for you. Remember, if it doesn't work, don't worry about it.
Each of the great entrepreneurs you admire has their own routine, with their own habits they've developed over the years. We will share with you the habits that most of them have in common. Try them all and learn what works best for you. And remember, it takes about 1 to 2 months to create a habit, so don't rush and be patient that you will get there.
- Wake up early.
- Know yourself.
- Stick to a sleep routine.
- Workout often & eat healthy.
- Plan your tasks.
- Take risks.
- Be an avid learner.
- Look for feedback.
- Rest.
1. Wake up Early
The "5 am club," right? Most of the successful entrepreneurs you know like to wake up at the crack of dawn. There's something about the early morning. It's so quiet, so beautiful, so peaceful. At 5 am you have no one to talk to, no car is beeping in the background, literally no distractions, which makes it perfect for being productive and even meditating. Plus, by the time everyone wakes up, you've already crossed some tasks off your to-do list, so not only are you productive, you feel that way.
On the other hand, entrepreneurs like Bill Gates prefer to work at night and wake up at 7-8 am. So if 5 am doesn't work for you, that's okay; maybe you're more like Bill Gates.
2. Know Yourself
This is essential. In order for you to claim more energy to yourself, you need to learn what works best for you. Know your limits, likes, dislikes, do's and don'ts. Once you are able to listen to your body, you will be able to keep it in the optimal conditions so you can demand more from it. Think of your brain as a driver and your body as a car. It doesn't matter how well you can drive; if the vehicle has some damage or runs out of fuel, you won't even make it to the street corner.
That goes both ways, so it doesn't matter if you have the most excellent car; if the driver doesn't know how to turn the car on, it will stay in the same place.
3. Stick to a Sleep Routine
Six hours? Nine hours? How much sleep do you really need? Doctors recommend sleeping 8 hours a day. But again, this is just an average. The amount of sleep will depend on your body's needs. So be conscious about your sleep and find your magic number. Once you do, plan your sleep routine. By sleeping and waking up at the same times every day, your body will develop an internal clock. You will wake up naturally without the need for alarm clocks, which by the way are a terrible way to wake up. Alarms interrupt your sleep, making you feel tired and more likely to take a nap or two throughout the day.
4. Workout Often
There's no need to become "The Rock," don't panic. Today it's easy to sit all day while you study/work and do your chores. Then walk a few steps to sit and eat. And finally, walk a little further and go to bed. It's easy, but it doesn't do your body any good. Your body demands movement; otherwise, it loses strength and elasticity.
Take the example of Richard Branson. He owns a very successful business, and first thing in the morning, he either plays tennis, goes for a walk, runs, or even goes kite surfing. He is known to be very active; in fact, I bet Branson, who is 70 years old today, is in better shape than you. Take it easy; he's most likely in better shape than me, too. So, let's work on changing that.
"I seriously doubt that I would have been as successful in my career (and happy in my personal life) if I hadn't always placed importance on my health and fitness."
5. Plan Your Tasks
This makes for better time management. When you set a goal for the day, stick to what needs to be done to achieve it. Create your own to-do list and set a time for each item. It is always better to work with a structured plan. So if you start your day by planning your tasks, you will be 100 steps ahead of normal people.
Related Article: Manage your Time like a Pro by Following Top Entrepreneurs’ Advice.
6. Take Risks
This is a difficult subject. Many people may think that entrepreneurs like to take risks, just because. But in truth, it's a very calculated process. Investing is not the same as gambling.
Whether you want to launch a new product, work on a significant change, or invest in someone else's business, do it! But not without doing the proper analysis first.
Related Article: Succeed as an Entrepreneur by NOT Following these Companies Example.
7. Be an Avid Learner
Every day is an opportunity to learn. If you have an open mindset, not only can you learn more, but you can stress less. You don't know everything; in fact, no one in the world does, so why stress if you're having a hard time understanding something? Accepting that you don't know something and being okay with it will actually make you more intelligent in the end.
"The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute; the man who does not ask is a fool for life." This is a quote from Confucius that Simon Sinek lives by. He would rather ask a thousand questions until he understands everything than nod his head and pretend he knows.
The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute; the man who does not ask is a fool for life.
8. Look for Feedback
Sometimes when you work so hard and put so much effort into something, it's hard to be objective. Having someone by your side who can help you get feedback is especially useful. Make it a habit to look for others' opinions and be open to criticism. This doesn't mean you'll do everything other people say; having that second opinion will help you become aware of things you didn't notice before and draw your own conclusions from there.
9. Rest
Not every part of working smart consists in working. Sometimes you have to take time off to do it, and we don't just mean going to bed. Taking time off is very useful. You may find yourself overwhelmed and blocked from time to time. But if you're stressed and running out of ideas, that just means you need some time off. Listen to your body, go for a walk, meet up with some friends and take the time to not think about it.
Here's the buffet for you to pick the habits that suit you best, try them out, and stick with what works best for you! Not to mention, discipline and patience are essential to this process, so go ahead and serve yourself!
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