Many people often ask me how I manage to be so effective and get so much done every day. At first, I didn’t have a clear, defined routine, but over time I learned that to reach my goals as an entrepreneur I needed to focus on one objective. That’s why I looked for advice from other entrepreneurs and put together this article to share, from my own experience, some of the routines of an entrepreneur.
1. Waking up early, the foundation of an entrepreneur’s routines
It’s simple, yet very hard for many people: our brain works differently at night than during the day. In the early morning, our mind is clear and we don’t have pressure from clients or the WhatsApp chat buzzing every 5 minutes.
There’s a lot to say about what to do in the morning, but waking up early should be a mandatory routine. Here are some ideas on how to better use your time in the early hours:
- Read and meditate: To remember my life purpose, I usually read a Bible verse that inspires and motivates me.
- Study time: Learning a new language has always been hard for me, but for the past two years I’ve added 30 minutes of Duolingo to my morning routine, and I’ve noticed a big difference in my progress.
- Make a to-do list for the day: To start my workday, I review my emails and pending items from the previous day. Then I make a to-do list and separate the urgent from the necessary so I can delegate tasks to my team effectively.
- Look for inspiration: I stay up to date with the latest digital market trends by regularly reviewing my competitors’ strategies. This way, I can generate new ideas to apply to my clients’ projects. However, it’s important to set a time limit for this activity so it doesn’t interfere with my daily schedule.
2. Focus
Personally, I believe anyone who wants to start a business can do it with discipline, because entrepreneurs aren’t born, they’re made. However, along the way, the biggest obstacle can be yourself.
Over these years, I’ve received a great piece of advice: focus is essential and must be part of an entrepreneur’s daily routine. When I brainstorm, every idea must be focused on growing my company. Many entrepreneurs make the mistake of starting several businesses with many ideas at the same time, which leads to a lack of focus and the failure of every project.
That’s why, every time an idea comes to me during the day, I ask myself: Does this idea add value to my company’s growth? Is it worth spending time developing it? This way, I can make sure I’m focused on what really matters for my company’s success.
3. Exercise
It was hard to build this routine at first, but now I love it. It has given me more self-confidence and I feel I have a healthier body. I also use this time to clear my mind.
I’m lucky to lead a remote-first company, and I’ve found that the afternoon is the ideal time to exercise. Although I prefer working out in the afternoon, it depends on each person’s preferences. In my case, I don’t choose the morning because my mind is already clear, and I use afternoon exercise to clear my mind again and use that time to solve any challenge that came up during the day.
Personally, this routine has worked wonders for me, and when I come up with a possible solution, I write it down on my phone so I don’t interrupt my workout. During that time, I also release the tension built up during the day and prepare my body for an evening of networking or rest.
4. Networking
Although it’s not a daily routine in my work, it is a weekly one. At first I didn’t know how to behave at these networking events, but after a lot of study I learned to deliver a business pitch and how to start and keep a conversation going while listening to others.
What I like most about these business events is that I finally found a place where I can meet people facing challenges similar to mine and get advice from them.
If you’re in Bogotá, I recommend the events organized by Fenalco, which you can find on their social media. I also love the networking events of the Italian Chamber of Commerce, those by Kapital and the ones organized by Nicolas Rocha.
Conclusion: adopt these entrepreneur routines
An entrepreneur’s routines aren’t built in a day. Start with one habit, keep it up and add another. If you want to get more out of the last point, read networking dos and don’ts. Also, discover how to create a business plan with AI to organize your ideas and goals.
