Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy. Many people don’t realize just how easy it is to lose focus when you’re in control of your own schedule. You wake up in the morning with the best of intentions—but then you start browsing the internet on your phone and lose track of time. By the end of the day, you’re scrambling to get something—anything—done.
If that sounds familiar, then you’re probably ready to change up your routine. But what habits should you add to your day to help ensure your success? Start with your mornings!
Many of the most successful entrepreneurs swear by the power of a solid morning routine that doesn’t include checking social media. Here are 6 morning habits that you can use to set yourself up for a great day, every day.
Wake Up Early—But Be Sure to Get Enough Sleep!
If you’re not an early bird by nature, this one might be tough at first. But the truth is, waking up earlier could help you to become more successful. Many top entrepreneurs swear by this tip and use their time in the morning to exercise, journal, meditate, read, or otherwise prepare for the day.
Waking up early is especially important if you have a family or lots of calls and meetings. That uninterrupted time is just for you and gives you a chance to get things done before the emails and demands start rolling in. Just remember to get enough sleep—getting up earlier means setting an earlier bedtime so you can get 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
Before Getting Started, Take a Moment To Consider Your Team Goal
Whether you manage a team or not, mornings are the perfect time for reflection and inspiration. Setting a team intention for the day (even if you’re a team of one!) sets the tone for the day and will guide your focus.
Inspiration is key in leadership and motivation. Taking a moment to reflect on your major goal will help you to get excited about the work you’re doing on a daily basis.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed by the details throughout the day. Considering your team goal after you wake up is a great way to create an anchor point you and your team can use for motivation throughout the day.
Set Aside a Little Time to Wonder…
We don’t give ourselves much space to think, reflect, and wonder without making a conscious effort. Adding some extra time for this in the morning is a great way to find more inspiration and to live more fully in the moment.
Arianna Huffington, the founder of the Huffington Post, sets aside time to wonder and think about the world from the perspectives of others. This practice can make you more empathetic and emotionally intelligent, teach you about your customers, and allow you to be more creative throughout the day. Make the time for wondering!
Mornings Are Time to Get Started—But Also to Recharge
Successful entrepreneurs are busy folks. Sometimes, it’s hard for them to find the “off” switch at the end of the day. If you also find that it’s hard to wind down at night or to get started on your day when you wake up, you might want to think of your mornings as a time to decompress and recharge.
Why not start your day with activities that rejuvenate you? Do yoga, read a book, or take a walk before you jump into work. Reclaiming your mornings for yourself is a great way to get into a good headspace for the rest of the day.
Journaling Can Be Great for Reflection
Our heads are full of information, opinions, concerns, and to-do lists. Carrying all of that around without processing it or writing it down can be exhausting and anxiety-producing. Journaling is is a great coping mechanism for successful entrepreneurs because it encourages reflection and creativity, and reduces stress.
“Morning Pages” as many entrepreneurs call their journaling practice, is soothing and can help you control anxiety or concerns you may have. It can also help you reach breakthroughs or just give you a creative outlet that’s just for you. Although you can journal on a computer, many people find writing in longhand to be more beneficial because there are fewer distractions involved.
Visualize A Successful Day
Meditation and visualization are popular morning habits for a reason: they help to set the tone for the day and can improve focus, mood, and clarity. Visualization doesn’t take long as all, but it can provide the focus and drive you need to tackle your to-do list. Close your eyes and visualize a successful day—then open them and make that vision into reality!