Turn The Tables II - Successful Daily Habits? - Question 12
What do you think your successful daily habits are? Do you get 8 hours of sleep? Do you exercise every day?
Hey, guys! Welcome to Question 12 of Turn The Tables. This one is an interesting one. I feel like I am not the best with daily habits and I totally need to get better at them. For work, the one thing I do love is having a place where I can dump all of my day and long term to-do list. To do that I utilize three things 1. Google for Work / Google Calendars 2. Asana 3. My day dreamer (A Thimblepress product). Without those three I would lose track of my day, week & month. I like to brain dump because I feel like when I have a million things running in my head that have not been put in one of my three tools, I don’t leave space in my head for new ideas or thoughts to come in and run around! Being able to do that really changed a lot for me. I try to manage them throughout the day and record ideas as they come to me in my Day Dreamer.
A few of our daily habits that I am trying to cultivate is taking an hour in the morning before I go into the office to have a daily devotional, read part of a book I am wanting to finish & follow up with any programs that I am doing. Because those things aren’t necessary for my day, I tend to push them to the side. In reality, those things would help set me up to have a less rushed and more organized day.
Have fun reading what daily habits our table of guests have created in their lives!
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I sadly do not get 8 hours of sleep everyday and I’m convinced that I’m one of ’those people who needs a full 8 hours.’ I also do not exercise everyday and i’m trying to prioritize myself more to allow time to do that. I know being a healthier person improves many other aspects in life.
CONNECT WITH ANGIE WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BLOG | SNAPCHAT
CONNECT WITH E. FRANCES
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I always get 8 hours of sleep (as long as my 2 year old sleeps through the night). Is coffee a good habit? I am really good at drinking that every day. I do not exercise (but I wish I did). I also draw everyday, so I think that is a strong creative habit that has helped me tremendously when it comes to generating new ideas.
CONNECT WITH STACIE
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Taking the dogs for a walk everyday is very helpful. Not only do we get to spend time moving our bodies, but we get to be outside (even in Minnesota winters) and getting fresh air. I think it’s a great way to start the day.
CONNECT WITH JANE & ANDY
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I love making lists and I think it has really helped me stay organized. As a small business owner there are just way too many things to keep track of. At the end of each workday I will write a to-do list for the next day so that I can proactively set new expectations for the next day. I do try to get 8 hours of sleep because I can tell the difference in my energy level if I don’t. I am more clear-headed and focused when I’ve had a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately I don’t exercise, but I need to start! With what I do I tend to sit for long hours, so one way I’ve combat that is by changing out one of my production table into a standing desk so that I force myself to stand and move around more throughout the day. It’s really helped with my back and makes me feel more active.
CONNECT WITH SHERRY
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Most recently, I’ve decided not to worry so much, haha! I started meditating more and got back to doing my morning pages, and I’ve learned how much of worry is a choice, and really, an excuse from producing good work.
CONNECT WITH KATIE
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I love the Bedtime feature on my phone that sounds so bossy “Time for bed!!” and honestly, it’s a great reminder to have to unwind and get ready for bed. I feel like I am successful if I can do a full night-prep for the family. It helps me get out of bed in the morning knowing that I am waking up to a prepared space. That includes putting out any breakfast dishes or packing my lunch, and putting out clothes for the kids and myself. If it’s a gym morning, I’ll be extra sneaky and go to bed in my workout clothes so all I have to do in the morning is brush my teeth and wash my face!
CONNECT WITH GINGER
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My ability to plan is my most successful daily habit. I start and end my days the same way with focusing planning time. I begin every day with 10 minutes to block out my tasks, prioritize my to-do list and delegate. I meet with my husband, who also happens to be my business partner, and we discuss our mutual goals for the day. I make sure that complete this process before checking in on email so that the agenda is driven by my priorities and objectives (and not someone else’s). My day ends with 5 minutes of download time. I take the time to write down my accomplishments so I can end my day with a feeling of success. I rate my stress and productivity to see if I need to adjust in moving forward and I write out what I’ve done to move closer to my goals. The key is that I also write out the big tasks I want to accomplish the following day. Taking the time to do this brain dump allows me end my day feeling less stressed. I leave my download on my desk so that when I start my day the following day, I already have a jumpstart for where I want to go. I do this every single day - even though I don’t get a solid 8 hours of sleep and don’t exercise each day, this ritual makes me feel good every day.
CONNECT WITH TONYA
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Yes! I get 8 hours of sleep every night and I exercise 4 days a week. As I mentioned earlier, I sometimes feel a weird sense of guilt about this. "Should I be burning the midnight oil? Would I be generating more buzz, making more money, if I kept working tonight?" But I know my brain is more focused 10-6 because I'm taking care of it each day.
CONNECT WITH CATHERINE
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I do sleep! Sleep is super important to me and I know I’m not at my best without it. I meditate and, because I work for myself, it look me years to realize how important a routine is. Now that I’m in one, I think it’s my greatest asset. It also helps that my office is this bright, sunny pretty spot in Flatiron in Manhattan and it's inspiring. I also stopped over-thinking and started just going for it more, and my days are a lot more successful because of that as well.
CONNECT WITH KIM
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I am cursed with never being able to sleep more than 6 hours a night. I usually get around 3 or 4 hours, mainly because I can't turn my brain off and relax and go to sleep. I don't exercise everyday but my office is on the 3rd floor of my house so I count that as exercise, right? And our crazy dog must be walked to burn off some of his energy as well, so I try to do that at least a few times a week. I do have a great habit of taking vitamins each morning, drinking a healthy protein shake for breakfast, as well as making sure I stop to eat a healthy lunch, and take breaks to stretch or snuggle with the puppies.
CONNECT WITH JENNIFER
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I don’t get 8 hours every night, and I don’t exercise every day. I try to do both, and more times than not, I do. But every single day I am grateful I have a body and a mind that both work well and air in my lungs, floor under my feet, roof over my head and clothes on my back. I have a loving and supportive network of family and friends. I am incredibly blessed to have created a life I love, and it is my responsibility to do as much good as I can with what I have.
CONNECT WITH LIZ
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Despite generally staying up super late, which isn’t the best habit (but late is when i do some of my best work, so i still do it!), i try to get 7-8 hours of sleep. For me, this is a successful habit because i’ve found that if i regularly get less sleep, i end up feeling crappy and likely get a migraine, which only makes me less productive. Not enough sleep truly affects the success of my business. So while it certainly doesn’t make for a normal 9-5 day, it works well for me! i also try to do some walking everyday, so i at least get some exercise in!
CONNECT WITH ROBYN
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I wash, tone, cleanse & moisturize my face every night. This may sound so dumb, but every night I look at myself in the mirror and take a quick look at myself. It’s weird, but I often smile at myself as if I’m saying, "I’m happy on the inside." It’s like a little reward, my personal 10 minutes where it’s just me being honest with myself. This ritual gets me ready for the next day. At the start of a week, I have this lined, mini-binder, and I write my to-do’s for the week. I star things and rank what is a must do, and I cross them off as I do them. Every few days, I add more to the list. As you cross things off, you get a sense of accomplishment. When I go into the warehouse, I make sure to say hello to my neighbors to the left and right of me. Nothing is more important at the start of my day than to say "hello," "goodbye" and acknowledge others. Your business will have good and bad days, but when you need help, your neighbors that you were kind to will remember & help you. Even if I don’t have time, I have to walk my dog every morning. It's good to know that you have someone else who needs you! I also never get 8 hours of sleep, but I try to walk 10,000 steps a day.
CONNECT WITH NANCY
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I try to get at least 7 hours of sleep. I’ve recently gotten an Apple Watch from my husband and I’m using the breathe app to do mindfulness work throughout the day. I also love Asana Rebel on my phone that reminds me to do yoga at some point in the day. I never sit down at my desk without a full glass of water and try to drink it before I get up again.
CONNECT WITH REINA
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I hadn’t really thought of it as a successful daily habit, but yes - I do get tons of sleep. I know that if I’m tired I’ll do a crap job at everything I’m working on, so I might as well take a break when I need it and start again refreshed. I also leave work to exercise. I feel guilty leaving the office, but otherwise it would come out of my time at home - and sitting on the couch snuggling with my kids and watching awful cartoons is really important too. Also, coffee and wine - lots of both!
CONNECT WITH JESSIE
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Daily habits for a successful, productive, happy life include solid sleep, church and daily Bible study, exercise and fresh air, playing games, and an active social life (even though much of our social life is work related).
CONNECT WITH STEVE & JILL
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Ha! I wish!! It’s on my list. I do my best to get 8 hours of sleep each night...if I’m lucky I get 9!
CONNECT WITH TIFFANY
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I never get eight hours of sleep, like never. As far as exercise, this year I’ve made it a priority again. I used to work with a trainer 3-4 days a week, but since becoming an entrepreneur, I’ve let that slide. But not this year, this year I’m back on the trainer train. I feel better when I feel strong, not skinny...strong. As far as successful daily habits: starting the day on the right foot. For me, that means a strong cup of coffee, a quick two minute meditation, quiet time with God, setting daily affirmations (The Five Minute Journal for affirmations is life changing), and lastly, writing down my to-do list all before opening an email or even looking at my phone. If I start the day by looking at emails and my phone before doing those things, then I become a slave to my email and I’m reactive rather than proactive.
CONNECT WITH MANDY
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I just started exercising regularly (3-5 times a week) in January. I can already see the benefits! I feel better, have more energy, and I fell like I’m more productive at work. It really clears my head and gets me ready to concur the day.
CONNECT WITH LESLEY
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I try my best to get the rest I need and stay mindful of what I put into my body and how I maintain my strength. I’m currently on a 30-day paleo challenge, and am incorporating workouts or walks at least once a week.
CONNECT WITH MARY
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