A degree, lots of money, and a brilliant business plan do not guarantee entrepreneurial success. Entrepreneurship is a complex phenomenon. If you want to succeed in your venture, you will be required to have management skills, a strong sense of direction, self-discipline, and the list goes on.
If it looks like you lack the few things mentioned, don’t worry, you can still develop these skills along the way. There is no such thing as an overnight success, but there are tiny habits you can create that can help you stay a cut above the rest.
Here are simple habits that create a big impact.
1. Get up early
The most successful people get up at 4:00 in the morning, before everybody does. When you wake up early, you can have more things done. That also means you get ahead of the rest.
It can be hard to instill this habit if you have been waking up in the middle of the day for years. Start small by setting the alarm clock 30 minutes earlier than your usual time until you reach your time goal.
2. Read daily
Do you know the common denominator of successful entrepreneurs? They read a lot. When you read, you expand your mind, which is imperative to become a successful entrepreneur. If you are still not convinced, take these ultra-successful people, for example:
- Bill Gates – He reads one book per week, making him finish 50 books a year.
- Elon Musk – When this Tesla CEO was younger, he reads ten hours every day.
- Warren Buffet – He reads 500 pages a day.
- Mark Cuban – He reads almost three hours every day.
Make reading a daily habit; even if it is only for 15 minutes, it will always count. After all, you have nothing to lose from learning more; you only gain. This is a small investment today that pays off for the rest of your life.
3. Exercise and eat healthy
You are building a successful business, and for you to be able to deliver but a remarkable amount of importance to your health. Stay fit and healthy. A lot of studies say exercising helps you become happier, less stressed, and more productive.
Exercising goes hand in hand with eating healthily. Eating junk food might a hard habit to break, but you can start small. Cut your intake.
It would also help to take vitamins that will boost your energy throughout the day. Check with your doctor, which are the ones that will best fit you. Some popular energy-boosting vitamins are Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D. some supplements do not require a prescription from doctors like OTC iron supplements.
Remember, a sound body is a sound mind.
4. Create a routine and stick to it
Why is creating a routine important? Having a routine helps you establish priorities, keeps your goals on track, and most of all, limits procrastination. Creating a habit can be overwhelming and daunting in the beginning. Take note that no two days are the same so create your daily pattern according to what fits your schedule. Do a test drive, stick to your listed routine for a month, and if it doesn’t feel right to you, feel free to make changes until you find the ideal pattern for you.
Also, it is once to know that people who have routine are most likely to get distracted by social media– a culprit why we don’t get anything done sometimes.
A great philosopher once said we are what we repeatedly do. True enough, success comes from habits.
5. Practice gratitude daily
Actively appreciate the things you are thankful for by writing them down. Do this before you start and end your day, and you will realize how full your life is. The more you recognize your blessings, the more you attract them.
Did you know that studies show that expressing gratitude raises your happiness level? Leaders who practice gratitude also increases self-esteem, resilience, determination, and energy.
Practicing gratitude does not end in making a list of things you thankful for. You may also cultivate it by thanking our people, like sending ‘thank you’ notes to your team members. This way, you can connect, build trust, and improve morale, making you a great leader. This might sound like a tiny habit, but this requires mental discipline. Take your time and practice daily. Consistency is the key.
If you find some of the habits here too challenging to stick with, remember the old saying, “Fake it ’til you make it.” Do it until these habits become your second nature.
