Consistency plays an important role in any business. Daily results come from daily actions. Sometimes, that can be difficult. Sometimes, you have to really train your brain to take the right actions that are going to move you closer to achieving your big goals and objectives. That’s where habits come in. If you can practice these business habits every day then amazing things start to happen especially in the land of productivity.
Business habits can be different for everyone but just in case you’re wondering where to start, here’s a list of the 5 business habits I live by.
Healthy Eating and Exercise
Feed the body, feed the mind. If you want to be your best self and truly reach that next level, your health has to be a priority. It’s so easy to get caught up in work thinking ‘I’ll do that later’ but the reality is it never happens. I’ve found that it doesn’t matter what you’ve got to get done, if you prioritise eating right and exercising regularly then the rest takes care of itself. You have the energy and focus to work at a more productive level. For me, really implementing this practice on a daily basis has transformed my business.
Reading Books
Learners are Earners. There is no one ‘right way’ to do business and we certainly don’t know everything. I think the key is to really listen or read books from other people who have achieved and are experiencing their version of success. Being able to tap into all these different perspectives and then taking a step back and asking yourself ‘How does this apply to me and my business?’ is really powerful. Not everything will be a fit but for those key takeaways that are, it’s not just about taking in that knowledge but actually applying it. Once you know better, you do better.
Time Blocking
We live in information packed world where we all have what I like to call ‘goldfish brain’. Our attention span is so short and with distractions like social media everywhere, it can be really hard to focus. For me, I really need to be able to give one thing my attention to achieve the best quality output. Time blocking allows me to do that. For example, if I have a number of meetings, I’ll try to keep them in one day each week if I can. If I have to work on some content, that will get my full attention until it’s done. Sometimes I slip up but having tools like StayFocused, using the Pomodoro Technique to avoid distractions and taking regular breaks helps keep the productivity levels up.
Schedule Time Not To Work
As business owners, it can be really easy to get caught up working in your business 24/7. I think the pressures of social media can add to that because you tend to jump on and be confronted with quote graphics about hustle and giving it 100%. In reality, the only way to give 100% is to take time out to rest and rejuvenate. Not only that, if work is all you do then you’re living a one dimensional life which can be overwhelming, draining and even a little lonely at times. To be your best self, taking this time to step back and gain clarity is essential.
Personally, I have to schedule this time otherwise my stubborn self would try to justify not taking those time outs.
Focus on the Foundations
When you build a house without a solid foundation, it starts to crumble. The exact same thing happens in business. I believe this is the single biggest issue particularly in small businesses. It takes time, it takes work and it may not be as exciting as embracing shiny object syndrome but it’s critical to long-term sustainable success.
When you have a solid foundation, you can deal with the unexpected and embrace change as it arises. It provides a base; a platform you can continue to build upon. Always remember that with any habit, consistency is key. Reps build muscle.
Now I’d love to hear from you. What are your best business habits?
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Chloë Forbes-Kindlen helps turn small business owners into big successes by providing the tools, skills and resources they need to save time and make money online. Find out more at https://c4compete.com/ or by saying hello on Twitter @C4Compete.