“Excellence is an art won by training and habituation. We do not act rightly … Excellence, then, is not an act but a habit.” – Aristotle
By definition, a “habit” is: a behaviour pattern acquired by frequent repetition or physiologic exposure that shows itself in regularity or increased facility of performance.
Frequent repetition appears to be the key factor. If you want to set up new habits, then it is going to require consistency. Forming a new habit is a conscious, deliberate act, certainly initially. Once the repetition is frequent enough the act will come naturally to us, becoming something easy to implement on a daily basis.
So how are your work habits? Does your daily routine set you up to succeed? Research tells us that the most successful people are often creatures of habit. They know how to work smart as well as work hard. Much of their success lies in their daily habits.
Do your habits include the following?
1. Make a Plan
Going through the day by the seat of your pants is never going to set you up for success. Having an outline of what needs to be done and a prioritised list of how you will approach the day is going to make a positive difference. Start each day with your plan. Finish the day by reviewing it and setting up a new plan for tomorrow.
2. Organise Your Time
Time management should be a top priority. Organise blocks of the day to manage your tasks. Allocate time for major distractions such as email and social media.
3. Push the Boundaries
Consider what you will do to take you closer to your vision and purpose. Don’t play safe, we do most of our growth outside of the comfort zone.
4. Focus on Your Relationships
Most successful people are surrounded by good people. Who is in your inner circle? Who are you empowering? Share your knowledge and experience with others, some will benefit greatly, others will benefit you.
5. Look After Yourself
A daily dose of exercise, good nutrition and a decent amount of sleep is going to impact your energy and your ability to work well. If you want to succeed, take good care of yourself. Give yourself time to focus with meditation and mindfulness.
6. Review Your Plan
How did you go getting through your to-do list? If you’re not doing so well at completing tasks, look at ways you can be held accountable, maybe share the plan with others.
Are you setting yourself up for success? Take the time to reflect on what you could incorporate into your daily routine to increase your likelihood of long-term success.
