What is one change you made to your daily routine when you first became an entrepreneur that made you a more efficient and productive professional? Why was this such an important change?
These answers are provided by the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invitation-only organization made up of the world’s most successful young entrepreneurs. YEC members represent nearly every industry, generate billions of dollars in revenue annually and have created tens of thousands of jobs. More information at yes.co.
1. I time-blocked my to-do list
When I became an entrepreneur, I started keeping a to-do list and using time blocks to plan my day. This technique helped me figure out what I needed to accomplish with a timeline. As a result, I found it easier to complete complicated projects, keep track of meetings, and stay on top of things like emails and invoicing.
– John Turner, SeedProd LLC
2. I listened to inspiring stories
The change I made to my daily routine is that I started the day with an inspiring story from another entrepreneur. They were always short, compact stories, but it helped me to know what others went through to achieve. Through these success stories, I also learned some habits and started implementing them little by little. This has changed my outlook and the way I do things. It has made me more effective.
– Baruch Labunski, Rank safe
3. I used a task management system
One change I made to my daily routine that helped me become more efficient and productive was using a task management system. I started using a tool to track my tasks and deadlines, set priorities, and manage my time more effectively. This allowed me to stay organized and focused on the most important tasks and avoid getting bogged down in less important or less urgent tasks.
– Kazi Mamun, KANSOFT
4. I tracked my daily progress
The only change I made to my daily routine was to start tracking my progress daily. This helped me become a more efficient and productive professional as I strived to do better than I did yesterday. This was an important change because it helped me improve by allowing me to reflect on my mistakes and discover new ways to maximize my efficiency.
– Stephanie Wells, Formidable shapes
5. I woke up earlier
One change I made to my daily routine was to wake up earlier. As a night owl, I had to adjust my schedule to be available to communicate with freelancers, suppliers, and partners during normal business hours. Waking up earlier allowed me to make the most of my morning and set the tone for a productive day ahead. This also makes scheduling meetings a lot easier.
– Andreas Saladino, Kitchen cabinet kings
6. I meditated
The change I made to my daily routine is that I started meditating before I started my day. This helped improve my focus and start my day with a positive attitude. As an aspiring entrepreneur, it’s normal to face failure or have moments of self-doubt. Meditation has helped me block out all the negative thoughts and gain clarity, allowing me to keep the needle moving despite all the odds.
– Jared Atchison, WPForms
7. I prioritized tasks the night before
If there’s one routine that has made the most impact, it’s writing and prioritizing tasks every night. Instead of going to sleep with hundreds of worries and plans for the day and struggling to pick up your sluggishness every morning, I found it best to write down and prioritize all the tasks for the next day so that you maintain high productivity without becoming confused and stressed. out.
– Vikas Agrawal, Infobrandz
8. I focused on efficiency
I created a daily routine that would help me become more efficient and productive. This included setting specific goals for each day, breaking tasks into smaller chunks, and taking regular breaks throughout the day to recharge. Additionally, I started prioritizing my time better by focusing on the most important tasks first and delegating the less important tasks.
– Kristin Kimberly Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC
9. I paid attention to my agenda
I started paying attention to my schedule. When you first start out on your own, you may come from an agency or structure that was very progressive. This can burn us out; However, more freedom comes from using your calendar wisely and not throwing it away. To be a successful entrepreneur, you must manage your time consciously to experience more freedom. Calendars help!
– Matthew Capala, Alphametic