How do successful people spend the first hour of their day?
I don't think I am the most efficient person with my time. I have been trying a few different things to better manage my time and segment my day to have work time and personal time. However, I haven't found a great system yet. I am particularly curious how others kick their day off. I tend to think that starting off right can help set you up for a successful day and would like to hear what has worked for others.
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Nov 30, 2016
A late response, but what the heck...
As Birkenstock as it may sound, I dedicate the first 10 minutes (after the dog is fed) to meditation – primarily gratitude for family, my health, my job, and that no asteroid has currently been discovered targeting earth (well, outside of the incoming administration).
The next hour is the gym – that includes the 10 minute round trip commute and the shower. That usually brings me to 7:00 AM. The next hour, I write.
I do those things, and the rest of the day tends to unfold brilliantly.
Nov 22, 2016
I have read the several books on the holy hour and I think most of them talk about spending the first hour spending in soltitude and meditation. I think the first hour of the day is spent on preparing for the rest of the day starting with gratitude for all that we currently have and then preparing for going to the next level. Some people also talk about positive affirmations in the morning like - Today is going to be the best day ever, God is always with me, I am the winner, Today is My Day etc. etc.
Nov 21, 2016
I hit the shower asap. It's amazing how revitalizing it can be. Other than the obvious cleanliness reasons, for me it is a spiritual renewal, approaching the new day free of the previous days impurities.
I find that listen to something Inspirational/motivational after I am clothed. I flip flop between between two audio books. I have a favorite author/coach that meshes well with industry. I find that no matter how bad the previous day was, it helps to shake it off and approach the new day with a renewed enthusiasm. They also serve to remind me that I can never rest on my laurels. Keep Moving forward
I eat a couple of handfuls of fresh fruit, maybe a bagel, plan my day, and hit the ground running. No paper shuffling, no tweeting, get out and make some sales calls. Daylight is burning… time is money.
Aug 18, 2016
Kate - First hour of the day = coffee, the newspaper & classical music. Then you're caffeinated, informed and centered - and ready to tackle the online insanity - and the rest of your day! :-)
Aug 15, 2016
I recommend a few things: First, have a personal and professional goal. Second, select a few positive habits you want to develop, or reinforce. Third, develop a gratitude list, as well as a list of your accomplishments/strengths that you've achieved in your life (don't skimp on these last two...give yourself credit!).
I'd wake up every day 20-30 minutes earlier than I do now, Spend a few minutes in reflection (or prayer if you are a religious person). Then I'd reflect on all the thing I have to be grateful for, and that I've accomplished. I"d then write out my goals, new behaviors, and my affirmations in a spiral notebook....and I'd repeat them to myself throughout the day.
I'd then pick out one BIG thing I HAVE to accomplish that day...the one that will make the day worthwhile if that's ALL I can do. I'd also pick at least one thing that I've been procrastinating (cleaning my car, balancing my checkbook, straightening up my desk, etc.). and make sure I get that done. Getting rid of chronic, aggravating little tasks can help your brain to "close that loop" and get rid of that nagging feeling that you have too many odds and ends to take care of.
If you have time, I'd do a quick workout as well. If you start your day with gratitude, self-confidence, focus, and a few concrete goals, along with a quick workout, it will put you in a good, positive, focused frame of mind to start the day.
Good Luck!
Mike Hodges
Jun 1, 2016
I find that planning your day is the most important first steps to your workday. It helps you set the right priorities and stay focused on what matters.
May 31, 2016
Do whatever is the most important thing to do for that day. Even if you only get 1 thing done, it was the most important. Be careful how you prioritize. :-)
Jan 3, 2016
First of all, I write down my priority of tasks quickly and start the first item to complete. In between no multi tasks or jumping another item etc., No checking emails or calls. Just start the work for first 2 hours to complete the most of the tasks.
Jan 1, 2016
Dec 31, 2015
time management is a important thing for anyone, especially for the business owners,
i would suggest you build up a habit fits your schedule for the things have to be done, block some time spots for those too.
it is challenge for everyone, i feel the key is how to do self-control to build up the successful habits.
someone do what they like to do, someone do what they need to do.and
Mark Twain said: "eat the frog first thing in the morning".
Best,
Dec 29, 2015
I start with a good long stretch. it takes about 20 minutes, but I developed my routine to get the various parts of my body ready to get up and around.
Dec 28, 2015
The first hour of the day is analysing the status of the day and out of this to make a to do list, kind of priority list. On this way you have a clear view how your day will look like. If possible finish also some cases of the day(s) before so that you can focus on new things during the day.
Good luck to you and your business. Raf Meysmans
Dec 27, 2015
I love this question! I do believe you need to set a positive intention for your day by implementing a productive morning routine. My day begins with reading a morning devotional, writing in my gratitude journal, sipping green tea and working out for 30-45 minutes. This does not always occur easily! As a mother of 4 (my youngest is 2), I have to get up early to make this possible - but I find it necessary for my mental well being and productivity. I hope you find what works for you, Kate!
Dec 26, 2015
I find that my day's productivity is affected enormously by the first thing I do - so I actively try & make a great start to my day, & generally decide the night before what that will be. Being a morning person, some things that work for me include...making time for a healthy kick start breakfast (green juice or fruit), a walk on the beach, writing an important proposal, any piece of work that needs me to be at my best, making a start on those 'important but not urgent' jobs that never seem to reach the top of my in tray. More 'brainless' jobs like answering emails, sorting stuff etc for me are best done in my low energy time after lunch.
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Dec 26, 2015
I always tried to exercise and stretch---it gave me time to think, meditate, and marinate on both long and short term issues
Dec 25, 2015
Listen to motivating music while exercising. Next prepare and eat a healthy breakfast with the family. After breakfast take the time to look over economic and investment news and read business tips of the day. Enjoy a motivating quote, review the day's itinerary, read and answer emails. Look over creative gifts for client and partners you plan to meet that day or week. Anticipate and resolve how to jump the hurdles of the day. Look over your business plan and make needed adjustments. Prepare meaningful points of commendation for the team while gradually revealing fresh aspects of your vision. If you're over 40 like me make sure you fit in that much needed mid-day power nap. And now, go get 'em!
Dec 25, 2015
That mostly depends on how you spend the last hour of your day. If you plan and prioritize at the end of the day for the next day then it is about executing. Successful people are often early morning people so if contacting others is part of your day's behavior/activity plan then doing it early is successful. The important thing is that the first hour is not spent looking at emails, messages, industry news is not the trait I suggest in my time management training. Assuming your "to do" is based on priority connected to your business/life goals then you want to get to the important stuff right away and leave "busy work" for a different time...Aside for a ritual like, say, a daily affirmation, which I suggest you do before work then hit you day with accomplishment and you'll be amazed how good you feel at the end of the day.
Dec 25, 2015
Planning . Planning not merely about work but about personal chores too. The ideal person with maximum efficiency already has a sort of list and in the first hour, he or she make the corrections in importance and priority...after sub consciously thinking in the night
Dec 25, 2015
...I've been self-employed for 36+ years. I learned from another self-employed person (at the very beginning of my career) how to figure out what times of day and days of the week I'm best suited for the various tasks that need dealing with on a regular basis: financial matters, marketing matters, production matters, client matters and personal matters.
This has been the key to my success. One of my daily rituals is getting up before anyone else in my house, make coffee, go outside and take in the vibe I've cultivated in my garden. Next, I head to my office (on my property) check email, answers questions like this, read the paper online and then back inside to make breakfast for the household.
This daily ritual gets me into the helpful and deferential mode which is what my business is built on.
Very good stuff. I agree with all except for the part about "Successful people are often early morning people." That probably applies to the corporate and athletic worlds but not to the creative one. Many if not most comedians, entertainers, artists and comic-book creators are night people. If you're working until 2, 3 or 4 am, you're probably not going to wake up refreshed at 7 each morning. Most studies of efficiency ignore the creative folks. But they can be just as successful.