We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act, but a habit. - Aristotle
It's not the big things that add up in the end; it's the hundred, thousands, or millions of little things that separate the ordinary from the extraordinary. ~ The Compound Effect, Darren Hardy
I love me a good app. Do you have a tool that promises to take the work out of menial tasks and make more time to do the fun work? Sign me up! But as my business has grown and my professional journey has progressed, I have learned that no app can remedy all of the issues created by my bad habits. But, if I can trade those bad habits for better ones, it can make a huge difference in my day and my workflow.
This month we are going to talk about habits you can develop and cultivate as a business owner that will help you be more productive and successful or at least, less harried and stressed.
When you have big plans you are driving toward or your life and work are full, it's sometimes hard to appreciate the little things and the effect that they can have. But, once you have a good system or habit in place, you can’t imagine how you lived without it. I’m not talking about gargantuan, change everything about your life, nothing will ever be the same, habits. I’m talking about little things that help reduce stress, increase connection and satisfaction and keep things moving forward.
These habits can be personal:
5 min morning meditation
A daily walk with your favorite furry pet
Your morning cup of coffee
Bedtime snuggles and books with your kids
Monthly date nights with your partner
Annual check ups with your doctor
Yearly family vacations
Or they can be professional:
Clearing your inbox down by the end of each week
Straightening your desk each night
Shutting down work by 6pm every week day
Weekly check ins with your employees
Monthly financial reviews for business health
Quarterly team appreciation and training
Annual staff reviews
The combo of habits in our personal and professional life keep us growing and moving forward. These habits (or lack of them) can really make or break us. And they become especially important when life and work are chaotic and busy. They ground us, make sure things don't slip through the cracks and keep us from going crazy.
This month we are going to talk about these habits and share tools and strategies to help you keep your business and your personal life flowing. We would love to hear what habits you practice that help you in your day or week. The two I have been focusing on this year are (1) daily 30-45 min walks in my neighborhood and (2) sending a follow up email after meetings to make sure everyone knows what the next steps are. I’ve gotten pretty good and #1, but I’m still crap at #2. But, I’m getting better every week!
So join us this month in building habits to build success!