How ditching the daily grind pays off.
It’s not that John C. Maxwell was wrong in the quote above.
There’s so much value in being intentional about our daily habits, about being consistent about the little things so they never turn into big things. Great business leaders are compound thinkers who understand that small daily actions will always outperform big, splashy ones they do once and never repeat.
Compounding Responsibilities
On the other hand – have you ever taken stock of what a business owner is recommended to do on a daily basis? Here’s a quick list off the top of my head:
Start the day with positive affirmation statements and gratitude.
Write down your task list, prioritize it using the ABCDE method, and make sure no more than three priorities are ranked “A”.
Eat That Frog – start the day with the task you’re most likely to put off, or that you enjoy least.
Make sure you’re meditating to clear your mind and stay sharp. Breathe.
Drink water, and measure how much.
Take a break for exercise.
Post to social media.
Learn something! Carve out time for personal and professional development.
Think creatively. Disengage from all tech to do so.
Keep a writing journal. Track your best moments, your most storyworthy moments, your highlight reel, or your reflections.
Block off time for deep work, and eliminate distractions during this time.
Review your KPIs. Know your numbers.
Grow your professional network.
Develop a new skill, maybe one that is unrelated to your core job. Stretch your brain.
Follow Warren Buffet and Keith Cunningham’s lead, and prioritize “thinking time.”
Before you leave, reflect back on your day, and set your intention for the next day.
Managing Your Daily Activities
Phew! Each one is straightforward, but it all adds up, doesn’t it?
So… Are these worthwhile activities that will pay off over time? Absolutely.
But do you have time to do all of them every day? Possibly not, or at least not yet.
Here’s my advice. Start small – pick one thing to focus on for a month and commit to tracking it. See how it goes. When you no longer need to think about the first thing, you get to add in another. And if after a month you find it doesn’t serve you, you have my permission to stop doing it.
This Week’s Takeaway
What daily habit can you start paying more attention to today, that will have a compound impact over time? Pick one to start, and try to release any pressure you’re feeling on the rest.
Does Your Business Need Some Spring Cleaning?
Its that time of year!
Meet me at The Living Arts Center on March 22nd in Mississauga to take a look at your success this year to keep that New Year’s momentum going – with business education, networking, and a 90-day action plan for next quarter.
Let’s ditch the mundane and embrace the importance of crafting your personalized roadmap to success in a fun and tactical way – at GrowthCLUB!
Click here to learn more and register!
Never Split the Difference: by Chris Voss & Tahl Raz
Never Split the Difference is a negotiation guide that teaches readers effective communication skills to reach mutually beneficial agreements. The authors share real-life examples and tactics used in high-pressure situations, all to help you become a more successful negotiator. Check it out!
Thanks for reading The Extra Mile! Subscribe below to receive new posts and support my work. If you enjoyed what you read, share or leave a comment!
