6 things every entrepreneur must do after waking up
Mark Twain once wisely said: “Eat a live frog first thing in the morning and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.” Research by author and success expert Brian Tracy tells us that being successful and getting ahead of your peers depends on the habits you inculcate and how you practice them every day.
Most of us have a rough idea of what we need to do every day in order to keep the ball rolling in the right direction. However, these quick tips and tricks will help you become the person you always wanted to be professionally and reinforce the habits that are of utmost importance.
Say NO to snoozing
Waking up in the morning can be a bit of a drag for most, but not many CEOs and successful entrepreneurs are what they are today by sleeping in! Studies such as the one conducted by Roy Baumeister shows us that our willpower is at its highest in the morning and it depletes through the day. Most experts recommend that adults get between seven to nine hours of sleep to stay healthy and alert which means that if rising early is a perennial problem, then it’s time to act on it.
Start your day by setting goals
There is nothing better and more rewarding than setting goals for yourself. The key to setting a goal and achieving it is to start at a micro level. Concentrate on immediate goals and what better time to do this than in the morning? Laura Roeder, founder of social media tool Edgar and LKR Social Media, says, “I start off every morning by reaching for my journal. I write one page every day about my bigger goals, my intentions for the day and feelings about my goals I want to work through.” Ace swimmer Michael Phelps also endorses this mantra.
Prioritise your work
After setting goals for the day, prioritising is important. All entrepreneurs have personal and professional agendas and this is where prioritisation comes into play. Make a list and jot down notes about the top three things you need to accomplish every morning. If you can accomplish them on the same day, then do it. If they are long-term goals, make sure that you start working towards them on that day.
Make the Post-It your best friend
You’ll be astonished to see what wonders those little yellow papers can do. Writing your priorities down on a piece of paper and sticking it on the side of your computer can be a great reminder of what you need to be doing instead of procrastinating. Studies show that one’s environment can have a huge impact on the decisions we make and such sticky notes can help us build the requisite environment.
Avoid checking mails right away
Wanting to hop on your phone and check it at the crack of dawn is a natural instinct for most of us. But, refrain from doing so as soon as you wake up. This might distract you from the immediate goals that you have prioritised for the day and set you off track. So it’s advisable to wait till you finish at least one of the crucial tasks on your to-do list before you start checking your emails.
Eat breakfast
Food is fuel for our body. Remember, the brain is just another muscle and for it to function the way we want it to and achieve all the goals that you have set for the day, you need to munch on some food. As even elementary science books will tell us, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So do not miss it.
One must never undermine the importance and the need for following these actions regularly. Keep these points in mind and get geared up for a fresher and more productive day.
(Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of YourStory.)