Starting each day the right way, sets you up for success
We all want to perform at peak level, every day, but in order to do so, you need to start your day the right way. Successful business leaders simplify, focus on what’s meaningful and work with intention. To enable them to succeed, they also start their day, the right way.
Get enough sleep
Sleep is as important as eating and drinking. If you do not get enough sleep, you will not be able to focus properly during your working day. Getting a healthy amount of sleep is linked to increased memory, greater attention span and lower stress levels. Some people need a bit more sleep and some people need a bit less. Listen to your body and aim to get around 8 hours of sleep every night.
Move
Everyone needs to exercise so make time to do it. 1 hour of exercise is just 4% of your day. Whether you run, cycle, go to the gym or walk the dog, make sure you get some exercise every morning before work. Exercise reduces anxiety and stress, improves focus, and gives you more energy. If you want to succeed in business, you need to start with a healthy body.
Eat properly
You don’t need to have a personal nutritionist to eat well. Start your day with a healthy breakfast that works for you and your body. Whether that is scrambled eggs or a bowl of whole grain cereal with fruit and yoghurt, start your day with a good meal that will keep you fuller for longer and give you the energy you need to focus on having a productive and successful day.
Set your goals for the day
What do you need to achieve today? Do you need to find a new customer, close a sale, or hire a new recruit? Whatever you need to do, write it down and use this as your to-do list for the day ahead. Everything else is optional. Do this before you check your email as your inbox will likely distract you from your own objectives and pull you into (often time consuming) distractions.
Carve up your time
Use your calendar in a smart way. Block out time to achieve your objectives, block out another chunk of time for emails and responding to queries and leave a final section of your diary open for ad-hoc queries or management tasks that come your way.
This will encourage people to disturb you during “open” time slots rather than distract you when you have blocked out time for getting your key tasks done.
