You’ve heard the saying before “the early bird gets the worm”, and when it comes to being a successful entrepreneur, it’s definitely true. The reality is that there is a distinct difference between people who are successful and people who are not. The most important difference is that people who are successful are actually very disciplined. While no set schedule will fit every entrepreneur, there are some things that all successful people.
So, with that in mind here are the 5 things that successful people do before 8am.
1. Exercise
Most people that work out daily, work out in the morning. It’s the easiest time of the day to get it out the way and get it done. Whether it’s yoga or cardio, exercising before you get your day started, work gives you a boost of energy for the day. Morning workouts also eliminate the possibility of flaking out your gym commitments after a long day at work. Even if you aren’t bright eyed and bushy tailed at the thought of a 5 am jog, try waking up 15 minutes early for a quick bedside set of pushups or stretching.
2. Plan Your Day
You can really maximize your potential by planning your day, your goals and your priorities early in the morning. The morning is a good time for planning because it’s one of the only quiet times you’re guaranteed to get throughout the day. The early hours foster easier reflection that helps when prioritizing your activities. They also allow for uninterrupted problem solving when trying to fit everything into your timetable. Don’t forget to schedule your meals and exercise times.
3. Pray and Meditate
The practice of prayer and meditation is a great way to stay focused and grounded. Sometimes our mental health gets overlooked, but this is one aspect of life that you have to discipline yourself to maintain. The morning is the perfect time to spend some quiet time inside your mind in prayer and meditation. Take a moment to visualize your day ahead of you, focusing on the successes you will have. Even just a few short minutes, this time can help improve your mood and outlook on your work load for the day.
4. Have Breakfast
If your idea of breakfast is a rushed cup of coffee, you know you have to do better. Studies show that people who go to work on an empty stomach not only struggle to stay focused but eat more and experience crashes. But if you take the extra time in the morning to fuel your body for the tasks ahead of it, you’ll be better prepared for your day. It will help keep your mind on what’s at hand and not your growling stomach. Not only is breakfast good for your physical health, it is also a good time to connect socially. Even five minutes of talking with your kids or spouse while eating a quick bowl of oatmeal can boost your spirits before heading out the door.
5. Eat the Frog First
We all have that one item on our to-do list that we dread. You wait and wait all day (or week) until you finally suck it up and do it after much procrastination. Here’s an easy tip to save yourself the stress – do that least desirable task on your list first. Instead of anticipating the how much you won’t enjoy it of it all day long, get it out of the way early. The morning is the time when you are (generally) more well rested and your energy level is up. Therefore, you are well equipped to handle more difficult projects. And your day will get progressively easier, not the other way around. The best part about eating the frog first is that it gives you the confidence to handle any difficult tasks that may come up throughout the rest of the day. By the time your work day is ending, you’re winding down with easier to-dos and heading into your free time more relaxed.
