Many successful people follow a similar formula every day. They share similar ideas and routines that play an intrinsic part in their success. Does this happen by coincidence?
Of course not!
“I can give you a six-word formula for success: Think things through – then follow through.” – Eddie Rickenbacker
This success formula, you might call it their everyday routine and beliefs sets the foundation for their success. So here are the eight routines and beliefs, the success formula that high-achieving entrepreneurs use every day.
Formula 1. A Morning Routine
The schedules of various high achievers were extensively studied by author Laura Vanderkam. They all had one thing in common. They got up early, and to a person, they also had a fixed morning routine.
Richard Branson, the CEO of the Virgin group, advocates embracing the morning. And he is right to do so as getting up early has lots of benefits.
When you start early, you get the chance to be present and available before other demands are placed on you. As you feel more in control of your life, your mood tends to improve. Pretty cool!
“You can do anything if you set your mind to it. We get taught all sorts of things in school, but I believe the most important formula we can learn is courage plus goals equals success.” – David Brett-Williams
Getting up early and completing your morning routine also helps you to feel more in control. That boost of confidence makes you ready to handle the challenges that the day throws at you.
How To Adjust Your Schedule:
Consider swapping some of the tasks you would typically do in the evening to the morning instead. A great one to start with is to try exercising before you go to work to help you feel revitalised and energised at the start of your working day.
Formula 2. The Important Work Gets Done First
If you are like most people you ease your way into your work day. Most people start their day with little tasks, like trivial admin or emailing.
The problem with that is that our brains are sharpest earlier in the day. So this is the best time to tackle the more creative work that challenges you.
“In living life at 90 percent, the formula is life is 10 percent of what happens to you and 90 percent of how you react to it.” – Diamond Dallas Page
If you don’t get the opportunity to work on your chosen tasks first thing, take matters into your own hands; do the work from home, or come into work early.
How To Adjust Your Schedule:
Set your schedule for the next day while you are still at work, plan your most important tasks for first thing in the morning, and then respond to your emails before lunch to guarantee a productive day.
Formula 3. When Things Go Wrong Stay In Control
When things don’t go exactly to plan, many of us start to feel stressed and anxious. But let’s face reality, these things can happen on a daily basis. Successful people realise they cannot control everything and anticipate mistakes.
Dealing with problems is a big part of being a successful entrepreneur. Plan for mistakes, and you will deal with them rationally and efficiently as they arise.
How To Adjust Your Schedule: Factor In time every day to help you deal with any problems that arise. Half an hour at the end of your working day is ideal, as it means you can focus on the tasks you want to complete during the day.
Formula 4. Work Even When You Don’t Have To
There are times when the vast majority of people are not working. They aren’t even thinking about working.
Realistically, the first thing in the morning, evenings and the weekends are all times that most people are doing their level best to avoid working. I hear you loud and clear, but you could be wasting your productivity.
“You should never lose the formula that worked for you from the beginning, no matter how big you get.” – Ozuna
We have all woken up from a deep slumber when that lightning bolt of inspiration strikes us. Successful entrepreneurs harness that lightning strike of inspiration and get to work right away.
They know that whenever inspiration strikes they will be more productive at that moment than later. Strike while the iron is hot and even if you’re not in work, get working,
How To Adjust Your Schedule:
Schedule one to two hours of work that you will do during your free time. It can be replying to emails to making important calls, anything that will help you to get ahead and stay ahead.
Formula 5. Understand The Benefits Of Teamwork
While the thought of doing it on our own is appealing, you might have to develop a team to help you achieve your goals.
If you consider the most successful companies in the world, they were started with teamwork. Consider that Larry Page and Sergey Brin founded Google, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak founded Apple, and a team of five started Paypal.
Only in infrequent occasions is being successful about being completely independent. Successful people can work with others, able to compromise and accept other ideas.
How To Adjust Your Schedule:
If you work in a team alongside others, schedule an email chain with your co-workers. Make a note to email your co-workers at lunchtime if you do work on a project for feedback.
This will help your team to feel involved, encouraging them to share their opinions and get involved.
Formula 6. Keep Your Full Schedule In One Place
“It’s crucial to make sure you record all your meetings and appointments in one place instead of having them scattered throughout different calendars, notebooks, and apps,” says Alexandra Weiss, a partner at CA Creative in New York.
“Formula for success: rise early, work hard, strike oil. – J. Paul Getty
When you gather everything together on one device, it won’t seem quite so daunting or intimidating. To often do we fall into the trap of planning parts of our schedule on your phone, and your notepad, and your laptop, and your work computer.
When it is clearer, it is easier to understand. And you won’t have to stress about how to fit everything in when you have the luxury of seeing your full schedule and being able to arrange it as you please.
How To Adjust Your Schedule:
You need to select one device. Choose the one you use the most are most comfortable with. It can be a notebook or your smartphone. Keep it on you the entire day while you are at work so that you can adjust your plans accordingly throughout the day.
Formula 7. Take Your Work Seriously
Successful entrepreneurs believe genuinely and passionately in their work and see immense value in what they do. You have to believe in your work, or you will find it difficult to work productively and become successful.
“I know of no single formula for success. But over the years I have observed that some attributes of leadership are universal and are often about finding ways of encouraging people to combine their efforts, their talents, their insights, their enthusiasm and their inspiration to work together.” – Queen Elizabeth II
When you believe in your work, you don’t need the reassurance of others. And this is important if you are to stay motivated and not to get sidetracked by the naysayers and those who don’t share your dream or believe in you.
How To Adjust Your Schedule:
Set aside thirty to sixty minutes to review your goals and dreams, and see how you are progressing towards them at the end of each working week. Most importantly, it will encourage you to believe in your goals truly, and it will also help you to achieve your goals.
Formula 8. Relax When You Are Done
Worrying about work while you’re not there is emotionally and physically draining. Not only does it run you down, it even make reduces your productivity when you start again.
Try writing down your working goal for tomorrow when you finish work. Tim Ferris suggests this will increase your motivation for the next day.
So when you are done, you can switch off, for now, enjoy your evening and recharge for a productive tomorrow.
How To Adjust Your Schedule:
Write down three goals you want to achieve during your next working day. Write down how you will achieve them too, as this will help you to feel focused so that you can switch off and enjoy your downtime.
Over to you, now it is your turn to take this eight step formula and use it to generate the success that you desire.
