According to author Tony Robbins, “People who succeed have momentum. The more they succeed, the more they want to succeed, and the more they find a way to succeed. Similarly, when someone is failing, the tendency is to get on a downward spiral that can even become a self-fulfilling prophecy.”
Success is the accomplishment of a predetermined goal or mission. It is personal to you, whatever you determine it to be.
All leaders want to be successful, but how do we get there? It turns out, routines play a big part. The sequences of habitual actions have many benefits including saving time, building momentum and the development of strong willpower, without which we can forget about having any form of victory.
The way in which we start our day determines its trajectory. Here are five things I do to start the day that has helped me be successful as an entrepreneur (and no, checking my phone isn’t one of them). Use these tips to develop a routine, and you will be sure to gather that momentum Tony Robbins speaks of.
1. Drink water — a lot of it.
The adult body is made up of approximately 55–60 percent water. The chemical reactions in the body’s cells that turn food into energy depend on it. Not only is it required for metabolism, but also for digestion. All that to say, you need water to function effectively. Drinking water in the morning allows for the body to rehydrate after losing lots of fluids overnight. A rehydrated body is better poised to facilitate successful actions.
2. Write.
There are many benefits to writing. When you write, your memory improves, you are less anxious and you think more clearly (in other words, we can significantly cut our therapy bill by practicing this). By clearing our minds, we can set the tone for the day ahead and remind ourselves of the goals we aim to achieve.
3. Develop a practice to hear from within.
This can be done by either praying, meditating or simply being still. In the busyness of our days, we can miss hearing that voice that directs us down the path we must go. Part of winning for an entrepreneur and leader means being able to make sound business decisions. Successful entrepreneurs use tools to help them listen and get guidance from their internal compass.
4. Work on your priorities.
What is important to you right now? Think about how you are going to approach what’s significant to you when your mind is still fresh from having a good night’s sleep. A fully recharged mind is in the best mindset for making decisions that are aligned to what you value most.
5. Express gratitude.
There is a very simple yet powerful song called Toastby Jamaican artist Koffee that has been taking the world by storm. In it, Koffee emphasizes, “Gratitude is a must.” While the song’s rhythm is great, the words contribute a lot to its popularity. On a few occasions, I have had podcast guests share on this necessary, but often overlooked, concept of expressing gratitude.
For example, Lisa Ryanbelieves in this principle so much she has coined her own term on which she bases her strategies, “grategy.” Simply saying aloud what you are grateful for before getting out of bed does wonders for you. Further, having a gratitude journal and writing in it before you have had your first meal, can be a critical part of your success journey.
What do you do each morning that contributes to your success? Share it with us on Twitter Heneka Watkis-Porter.
**This post first appeared on the Leadercast Blog.