Do you think it is important to be a morning person when running your own business?
I have read a lot about productivity and success. It seems that many of the most successful people start their day early. I am curious what others think about the importance of starting your day early to maximize your chances of success.
In Companies they always start in the morning as that is the time that other associates eg. Banks, Customer meetings, discussions about the tasks that are to be completed, etc are done. In your own business, you should also start your day early because to connect with other people and business associates are available at that time. In fact it is better for you when running your own business. Florence MacDonald
There is no easy answer to this question because people are either night owls or early morning birds. One factor; it depends on your style. The second and most important factor is the timing of your customers. So if your business depends on meeting customers, then getting early is big advantage. Another factor to consider is your P time (peak time) which is the time when you are most alert and productive. My conclusion is to identify the best time that will bring you the most impact on your business then adjust your style.
Interesting question but I would agree with it! I think it relates to enthusiasm and this incredible desire to begin another great day! It is a habit of shifting hours but it leaves quiet, focused time to build creativity and plans. I personally find it to be one of the most important times of my day. I get so much accomplished without any disturbances. Check out Morning Routines which shows how others focus their morning times. It has without question given me the most creative moments. Some weeks I find a day (usually weekend sat or sun) when I enjoy sleeping in, but it's not often!
You have to try out different times of when you see more results, if the morning & early afternoon gives you more or better results, then you would chose morning. If late afternoon and night gives you better results than you would chose night. The other question is, what kind of business do you have? it is a shop or warehouse or a trade, are you opened 24/7.
I am well acquainted with presidents of large reputable companies who are obviously not morning people as they often arrive at the office later in the day commuting straight from home. Still many of their colleagues and constituents are morning people. That said, if you're trying to get things accomplished within the circle of morning people, being such yourself is bound to be advantageous on many levels. Most important though is having a solid routine and daily game plan with the means to fulfill it effectively no matter what kind of person you are. A good winning business plan that fits your lifestyle, routine and goals is the key to success and I know a thing or two about good business planning. For more info checkout this article http://www.smallbusinesssuccesstips.net/2016/06/morning-person-vs-midday-person.html.
Yes, try to wake up at 5:00 or 6:00 am. Start with drinking alkaline water eg. lemon water. Do about 30 minutes of exercise. Take your shower. Plan your day. Have a healthy breakfast. Only then check your e-mail.
You can then ready start your work day. Good luck.
No. I don't. I do the majority of my work between the hours of 10pm and 2am. I do wake up early (before 6am) every now and then if I think I have something that is pressing or morning meetings to attend, but for the most part I think people should be productive when they feel their best. A colleague of mine works best between 1 and 5pm, so that's when they do the bulk of their work. Find a time that suits you and one in which you feel the most comfortable then work away! OH forgot to mention, I'm in the digital design/marketing field so my work CAN be done anywhere and I'm not relegated to an office setting.
You don't say what business you are in and that could be a key element here. If you are in sales, morning people do best. But if you are a creative type, your working hours can be all over the map. One of the wisest men I know (my dad) always said, "Son, you'll make a living from nine to five, but you'll make money from five till eleven." I've followed his advice through a highly successful career (as an Advertising Agency Creative and Owner) that now spans 50 years and I can tell you, he was right.
Hi Beverley & John,
I think it depends what business you are in. If it is a night club or lounge there is probably not much happening in the morning. However if you are selling a product or service B2B I would be open when my clients or prospects or doing business. If your business is not bricks and mortar you can respond to any inquiry by phone or email where ever you are. As a self employed person my fear is if somebody tries to contact me and I do not respond in time they will just contact a competitor and that is something I try and avoid.
There are lots of things that are really important to be successful in running your own business. I would consider being a morning person is one of the least important things. There may be a few businesses where being a morning person is important but knowing your market, being able to relate to customers, being financially wise, being able to step back and look at how you are running your business with an open mind, Being able to develop a good business plan and to follow through with your agenda. Being able to provide good customer service. Things like that are far more important than being a morning person.
You already have some great answers, but I will share my thoughts. I think the key isn't necessarily the time of day (unless your particular industry requires it), but about how productive you are when you work and that you set the right priorities.
It depends on what business you have. I suggest that you are fresh and ready to go. I think having a fresh mind is more important than when you are fresh.
In reality, not everyone is a "morning person" or so they think. The fact of the matter is that as a small business owner, you had better be a morning, afternoon and evening person.
I call it the B Schedule. When the business is operating, Be there. Be tuned in, Be excited, Be enthusiastic, Be the leader, cheerleader, financier, motivator, Be with whom the Buck stops!
Early morning is quiet, peaceful, and with a bit of coffee, you can accomplish great things.
Morning routine undoubtedly results in higher productivity. You can always condition your communication timings with clients without impact yours or theirs routine if it is a global audience. One is high on energy, fresher at mind and saves more time to do other stuff at evening.
Those who can manage to follow a power morning routine can actually done worth 48 hours in 24 hours - that includes a sound sleep.
This Interview of 5amhacks founder and coach Dan Luca is truly enlightening. Read when you have time
http://www.sunitabiddu.com/dan-luca-morning-routine
If you are dealing with customers you need to be on all day. Morning person or not. I think you need to have common sense when running your own business - everything will follow. If you enjoy what you do - than nothing else matters.
I think that it depends on what kind of business you have and what type of person you are. Personally, part of the reason why I went into business is that I am not a morning person. And the type of business allows me to work night hours more than morning hours so it works for me. I don't necessarily think that to be successful you need to wake up early, it just depends.
I believe it is important to time your day to match your clients or customers timings. If they open early and close early then it does not make sense if you open when they are about to close.
Chances are, if you are an early bird, you will find like minded clients. The Night Owls naturally gravitate to one another as well. But I do think more Night Owls should take the time to leave early birds an update before they call it a night so the Early Birds can use their extra time in the morning to catch up on all the activity they missed went on after they went to bed.
Hi
Robert nailed it with his reply.
I once worked for a big group of companies, whose Chairman was nocturnal. He would get things done in the quietude of the night, wake up in the afternoon, play a round of Golf in the evening.
The very reason you run your own business is you want to be your own boss. Enjoy that! And adapt to what suits you and your clients best!
Hi John and Beverly,
No I don't. Confession: I'm not a morning person. It's actually much more important to figure out your own rhythms and times when you are most productive. That will allow you to accomplish more in less time and with less frustration. I wrote a post about this on my old blog, sharing in case it helps you... http://awaehqndreams.blogspot.com/2015/03/practice-that-skyrocketed-my-productivity.html
An example: A singer tends to sing their best at night, because that's when their voice is ready, especially one who does lots of concerts. That being said, I'm a morning person. The legendary golf instructor and major champion Tommy Armour used to start out his lessons bright and early in the morning - when the pupil was fresh. Armour wrote the legendary golf instruction book that I still consider the Holy Grail of golf instruction books, How To Play Your Best Golf All The Time. Too bad I had to stop playing, but Armour's thoughts and instruction are as valid as they were 70 years ago.