Simple Steps to Success
‘I’m feeling overwhelmed and I can’t possibly do it all!’ At the beginning of the year, when entrepreneurs set business goals for the next 12 months, they often actually end up feeling overwhelmed instead of over-joyed!
I get it! One of the reasons they feel that way is because they have never been taught simple goal-setting techniques. As a result, by the 2nd and 3rd weeks in January, many entrepreneurs actually abort their plans for increasing revenue, finding new clients, taking vacations, making more money – and sadly revert to the way they have always done things.
DO NOT LET THAT HAPPEN TO YOU! You just don’t know what you don’t know. There is another way. And it’s how I start my day ….every day, no matter what. It’s called keeping it SIMPLE.
People who know me are often asking me what time I get up in the morning. They know I have great habits – but here’s the thing. It’s not about what time I get up – it’s more about what I do in the early hours when I start my day. THAT’s what my success is all about.
Let me share…….
The VERY first thing I do when the alarm goes off (at 5:30 a.m., by the way) is to give thanks. An attitude of gratitude serves me well first thing in the morning and last thing at night. I give thanks for being able to open my eyes, to be able to move my legs, to hear the sounds of the birds outside (or the snow plow in winter, LOL – because my window is always open!). I control my thinking and my self-talk from the very second I wake up. That’s critical!
I STEP INTO MY WORKOUT CLOTHES. I have a #noexcuses approach when it comes to my workouts. Four mornings a week, I work out with my trainer. At night, I always put my workout clothes near my bed so when I swing my legs around, that’s what I’m stepping in to. There are many days when I don’t feel like working out – but once my body is in those clothes, then I get myself on out to the kitchen, I’m getting in the groove, LOL!
I HAVE MY PROTEIN SHAKE.
I’ll be honest with you. I haven’t always been a fan of those shakes and drinks – however, working with a nutrionist who is helping me get my metabolism fired up again, I am doing what I am told – and the shakes are working, baby! I’m all about doing what works! Then it’s 2 glasses of water and I’m out the door.
MY POST-WORKOUT TIME:
My trainer works my butt off, let me tell you! When I finish and get home, I’m sweating buckets. So, in my cool-down time, that’s when I have my pot of green tea, read my daily devotional, I read 10 pages in the business book of choice (anyone can read 10 pages a day and get through 1-2 books a month – on the weekends, I read 2 chapters a day!).
GET TO WORK:
Then it’s time to get to work! Shower, dress (for work!) and get into the office and get going. The first hour is always spent on revenue-generating activities – in other words, working on growing MY business – before getting sucked into the black hole of emails or whatever.
So, the question you may be asking yourself is – ‘what makes this all so easy for you?’ I have my health and fitness goals, my business development goals, my personal goals – I am clear on my goals and, more importantly, how bad I want to accomplish these things. I have them broken down into daily steps – as you read above. These steps have become daily habits – no different than having a shower each day, or brushing my teeth. They are non-negotiable. That’s what makes it easy – doing these things each and every day – I’m making progress!
Many of you are making this all too complicated which is why, by the 2nd week in January, you’re calling it quits. Come on! You have what it takes. Just get into a routine – develop success habits – document your successes (I do that on index cards each Friday – my top 5 achievements of the week and then I reward myself).
How does all of this contribute to the growth and success of my business? Well, I am healthy, full of energy, focused, and get things done …..one step at a time. Prospects, clients, colleagues, friends all are attracted to this. Aren’t you? Don’t you want to try this, too? Come on…..join me and let me know what’s working for you, ok?
What is ONE thing you will implement on a daily basis to keep it simple and lead you to success too? Remember, it’s all about progress and not perfection :).
Hi Pat.
I couldn’t agree more! My schedule and habits are similar. At one time they were not. Every day was haphazard. I started with one shift, got it flowing and then added another. Starting with prayer, gratitude and visioning for the day has been life altering. I’ve been doing that for almost 5 years now. It’s funny I should read your post today. For some reason I decided to switch the order of a few of my morning routine activities this morning. Threw me so off kilter that I forgot to feed my dog. It reaffirmed how well everything flows when I stick to the same pattern daily. I’ll be back to my regular pattern tomorrow. ツ I do love your 10 pages a day for business reading. I typically dedicate a few hours a week, but I think I’ll try the daily practice for a while and see how it goes.
Stephanie, thank you so much for your kind comments. It’s all ‘divine timing’, right – so happy you read what you needed when you did. Keep up the good work!