What’s the first thing you do before you start your workday to set the right tone for the day, and why? What impact does this have?
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 yec.co.
1. Write down one to two tasks you need to complete
A quick meditation, my Line a Day journal and a cup of coffee as soon as I wake up, lets get started with no external demands on my attention and makes a big difference in setting the tone of the day. Before I start work, I jot down one or two things that, if accomplished, would have the biggest impact on moving the business forward. As the chaos of the day sets in, my list keeps me focused and feeling accomplished.
– Sydney Paulsen, TiPJAR USA
2. Practice for an hour
I wake up at 5am and exercise for an hour every weekday morning to start the workday off right. Exercising early in the morning helps me think clearly and start the day in a positive mood.
– Kristin Kimberly Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC
3. Don’t let important communications get in the way
I always check for important emails or Slack messages and get those out of the way right away, and then I head to early meetings or other work that needs to be done. Business thrives on timely communication, so use your first moments of the day to check your communication channels and address anything that’s urgent so you don’t block anyone else.
– Andy Karuza, Base64.ai
4. Smile at others
An important part of leadership is setting the tone for the day. One way I do this is by always walking into the office with a smile, even though sometimes I don’t feel like it. Smiling is powerful because it has been proven that even faking a smile can improve someone’s mood. And because humans are programmed to mimic others, smiling is contagious! It’s one of the easiest ways to build a community at work.
– Shu Saito, SpiroPure
5. Listen to upbeat music
To set the right tone for my morning, I make sure to play upbeat, upbeat music. Music puts me in the right mindset and boosts my energy for the day. I always recommend listening to your favorite playlist in the morning to start on a positive note and invite good things into your day.
– Stephanie Wells, Formidable Shapes
6. Say an affirmation out loud
One of the best things you can do when your alarm goes off in the morning is to say an affirmation out loud. It only takes a few seconds but can ground you from the start of the day. You can tell yourself that you are strong or energetic, or even read a quote from someone who inspires you. Doing this will remind you of your goals and allow you to focus your energy on achieving them.
–Blair Williams, MemberPress
7. Do something for yourself
I start every morning by taking some time to do something for myself. This usually includes exercising, but it can also include reading or meditating. By doing this, I set the tone for the rest of my day. Then I feel ready to take on whatever the day has to throw at me, while not feeling stressed or rushed to get to the gym, eat, or take care of myself at the end of the day.
– Nic DeAngelo, Saint Investment Group
8. Take a warm shower
The first thing I do in the morning is take a hot shower. It helps me wake up fully and makes me feel more alert. This allows me to concentrate better on my work all day long.
– Thomas Griffin, OptinMonster
9. Write in a gratitude journal
Every morning I write in a gratitude journal and then do exercises. Being the serial entrepreneur that I am, I have a lot to do. That’s why it’s important that before I start my workday, I have my energy in order and go into the daily grind with a sense of gratitude. I’ve found that once you establish your routine (it takes about 90 days), it makes a huge difference in productivity.
– Kristopher Brian Jones, LSEO.com