As humans, we like having habits.
Habits are great because unlike a lot of other things in our lives, habits are things we do each day that we don’t have to think about.
We perform habits almost subconsciously, leaving us that much more brainpower to think about – and react to – all of the other things that are dished our way during the course of a normal day.
James Clear talks about habits as something that we have control over – that we can structure and form ourselves. He talks about how habits are not something that rule us, and therefore, we shouldn’t allow them to.
Instead, we can create sequences that ultimately bring us to take a particular action, and in doing so, we’re able to make taking that action a habit.
It’s about mindset
What if you created a strategy (or sequence of events) that would put you in a particular mindset – a mindset that, for example, made you feel super pumped up about going to the gym?
Or, what if you developed a strategy that would put you in a particular mindset that made you say to yourself every single morning, “I’m going to crush it today!”?
Forming good habits is incredibly powerful, and in learning from some of the most inspiring and successful entrepreneurs out there today, it’s very clear to me that habits do contribute to our success.
But because I know forming habits isn’t easy, I’ve written out a few examples of strategies and specific sequences you might adopt that can help you form these 5 great habits for entrepreneurs.
Sequences that help you form good habits
Believe in what you’re doing
Don’t let anyone else convince you that what you’re doing isn’t going to work, or that it’s a bad idea.
When we’re telling someone what we’re working on, we want to know that they’re supportive of what we’re doing and that they see the benefit in whatever it is we’re offering (in a word, we’re looking for “validation”).
If you’re in a conversation with someone who doesn’t understand your passion for your business, or who doesn’t see the value in what you’re providing, then don’t automatically go on the defense.
Make it your strategy to:
1) explain your business,
2) receive a reaction, and
3) if it’s a negative reaction, then move on.
If someone asks you about your business, and as you’re explaining what you’re up to that person is looking at you with a blank stare in their eyes – unaware of the benefits and unwilling to be supportive – then make it a habit to accept that and move on.
Don’t allow someone else to make you pick up the habit of defending what you’re doing. Instead, make it a habit to believe in what you’re doing by not playing into the “defensive” game.
Create a sequence that:
Gets you away from negative conversations so that you can continue making a habit out of believing in what you’re doing.
FOCUS
Follow One Course Until Success.
Make it your strategy to:
Shut out the hundreds of disruptions that could derail your concentration at any moment throughout the day.
If you’re constantly being interrupted by email, Skype, the birds that are flying around outside and that drip coming from your bathroom sink, then you’ll never get anything done.
Paying attention to the things that can break your focus will derail you from achieving the success you’re after.
Create a sequence that:
Allows you to FOCUS for a specific amount of time each day by setting aside productive periods – where interruptions are NOT an option.
This will help you actually make it a habit to NOT let those things that can wait break your concentration.
Leave your cell phone
I know – IMPOSSIBLE – right?!
But it’s only been impossible because before right now, you’ve made it a habit to NOT leave your cell phone.
Make it your strategy to:
Reverse that habit, and instead of checking your cell phone at totally irrational and inopportune times, leave it in another room, in your nightstand drawer, or on silent. Don’t let it tempt you.
Create a sequence that:
Makes you feel like it’s okay to be away from your phone for a period of time, encouraging a habit to form that doesn’t trigger your finger every five minutes to reach over and touch the screen to see whether or not someone has called, texted, Tweeted, etc.
Workout / be active
I’m not the health police, and I don’t need to list the million and one reasons why working out should be a part of your day.
However, I do understand how easy it is to ditch your workout when things get busy, tough or when you simply fall out of the routine of going to the gym or on a run every day.
Make it your strategy to:
Schedule a time to be active. Whether that’s a walk right when you wake up in the morning, or an afternoon break to hit the gym, actually schedule a time each day when you’ll make the time.
Create a sequence where:
Doing something as simple as changing into your gym clothes means that you’re excited to sweat, to challenge yourself, to work hard and to feel better about yourself.
This is one habit that I can promise you will seep into every single part of your life – personal, business, you name it!
Read
We have 750+ business book recommendations for you from today’s top Entrepreneurs.
We also have a list of the Top 15 business book recommendations so you don’t get overwhelmed by the 750 :)
Make it your strategy to:
Schedule 30 minutes during the day or before you go to bed at night to read. If you’re reading the right stuff, then I can guarantee you’ll:
1) learn something new,
2) validate something you’ve been wondering about, or
3) gain others’ insights on a subject you already know a decent amount about.
Create a sequence that:
Puts a book, magazine, blog or other type of educational reading in front of you, and actually read it. This will ignite a habit of learning new things, which is integral to your success as an entrepreneur.
Don’t underestimate the power of learning in your life.
Additional resources
I never really realized how much power we have over our own habits. Whether they’re good or bad, it’s up to us to decide which ones we want to keep around.
It’s important to take inventory of the habits you do have – things you do without even noticing that you’re doing them, like checking your cell phone way too often, or diving into your inbox when you know it’s only going to distract you.
Here are some additional resources you can check out on the topic of creating good habits that I think you’ll benefit from if you enjoyed this post!
James Clear How to Break a Bad Habit (and Replace It With a Good One)
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
What are some sequences you’ve created (maybe some without even knowing it) that have helped you form good habits? Share with us in the comments section below!
