Success and healthy habits often go hand in hand — especially for entrepreneurs. That’s because high achievers, like entrepreneurs, understand the importance of being intentional with every task, and making the most out of every day.
One common question that people ask entrepreneurs is, “how did you become so successful?” Many would tell you that focusing on small improvements within your business every day can yield big results. The same goes with forming habits; small, consistent habits can change your life.
Part of forming a habit is the consistent repetition of the behavior — and they’re not always easy to adopt. In fact, while some habits may take an individual a few weeks to form, research indicates it could take as long as 66 days before some habits become automatic.1 While this may sound intimidating as an entrepreneur, forming intentional and daily habits is one way to help you handle unexpected business challenges.
We asked nearly 150 entrepreneurs, across a variety of industries, to speak on the habits that make them most successful in their careers and in life. Read on or skip to our infographic to discover our top 10 daily habits of successful entrepreneurs.
1. They read
Being an entrepreneur can be hectic, so making time to read a book may be the last thing on your to-do list. But, if Warren Buffet can dedicate 80% of each day to reading, so can you! His philosophy is that reading allows knowledge to build up, like compound interest.2
Reading books is also an excellent way to stimulate creativity and educate yourself about your business’ industry. What’s more, reading before bed allows you to unwind after a long day and can help you fall asleep faster.3
Trevor Rappleye, CEO of Coorporatefilming, commits to ready each morning. He shared,
“I read for 30 minutes a day right when I wake up. It allows me to start the day refreshed — the worst thing an entrepreneur can do is immediately open their email. Do not do that!”
2. They stick to a daily routine
Creating and sticking to a routine can help you operate more efficiently during the day. Why’s that? Setting daily expectations and repeating tasks through routines will help prepare your brain and body for what’s next, and promote optimal performance. Routines have also been shown to improve important areas of your health like stress levels and sleep.4
Maulik Patel, founder and CEO of Click Matix, swears by routines and believes sticking to this habit is the foundation of being a successful entrepreneur.
“Creating a routine has boosted my productivity more than ever before. Every morning and night I do the same tasks. Wake up, wash face/brush teeth, meditate, bodyweight exercise, and eat my breakfast. Every evening I have a separate routine involving journalling, hygiene, and planning for tomorrow. This helps keep me consistent. The best entrepreneurs make daily, weekly and monthly routines like mine, grounded in keeping themselves balanced, productive, and happy. Entrepreneurship is stressful and you’ll find steady routines become your bedrock on which you structure your life.”
3. They listen to uplifting music
We all have that one song that never fails to boost our mood. Now, imagine starting each day with your favorite, uplifting toons. Give it a try! Music has proven to boost productivity, and make monotonous tasks feel less daunting.5 Research also shows that listening to music can reduce stress by lowering the amount of the stress hormone cortisol in the body.6
Michelle Devani, founder of lovedevani, shared that making the most out of every day starts with setting a positive tone in the morning.
“As a founder who has a lot of responsibilities and obligations, I always try to make the most of every workday. And what helps me do so are my daily rituals, especially my morning routine. Starting my morning with uplifting music helps boost my mood, which helps me keep a positive outlook throughout the day.”
4. They plan tomorrow, today
Effective entrepreneurs are always ready for the day ahead. The more prepared you are, the more relaxed, confident and productive you’ll be. Instead of going over your day first thing in the morning, successful entrepreneurs plan tomorrow, today.
Making a nightly habit of preparing tomorrow’s to-do list, goals, schedule, meals, and even clothes you’ll wear, will help you start your mornings with a game plan and ready to dominate the day.
Peter Schoeman is the owner of The Dog Adventure. He shared that planning ahead and ensuring you’re prepared for whatever lies ahead is a critical ritual for successful entrepreneurs.
“The daily ritual that helped me improve my productivity is to plan tomorrow, TODAY. As part of my night routine, I make a list of my tasks for tomorrow and plan how different appointments, meetings, and so on will all be held together. This lets me pack my bag, thaw my meal prep, and overall get equipped for tomorrow when I’m awake and alert. So when I wake up and I’m dizzy and tired I don’t have to worry about it. Give this a try tonight, you’ll find it takes way less time than you assumed, that it provides you some understanding about tomorrow you didn’t have before, and it helps you catch things you might have missed.”
5. They meditate
It’s no secret that entrepreneurs need to be able to think quickly and make big decisions on a dime. Staying mindful through meditation practices can help you increase your focus and have clarity that leads to improved decision-making. Studies show that even just brief bouts of mindfulness training significantly improves visual-spatial processing, memory, and executive functioning.7
Meditation is a common practice among successful entrepreneurs — including Darryl Higgins, who is the founder of Athlete Desk. He recommends mediation as a way to not only relax you but keep you focused on the task at hand.
“Being an entrepreneur requires me to multitask and manage my business to keep it running. That is why doing meditation every morning before I start my day helps keep my mind relaxed and focused so I can execute my tasks better.”
What’s more, mediation also improves sleep and energy levels — which is essential for entrepreneurs who live face paced lifestyles and rely on optimal productivity. If you’re new to meditation, here’s a simple guide to help you get started.
These essentials can be a starting point for considering how you can integrate the mindset and develop the traits that will support your success journey as an entrepreneur. Good luck on your journey.
