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This series covers the 12 Habits of Effective Entrepreneurs. Click here to view previous articles.

Habit #7 – Routines

Have you ever noticed how some people seem to accomplish more in one lifetime than five others put together?

Or how one entrepreneur’s actions seem to flow smoothly, effectively, and efficiently; while another is in a constant state of frenzied motion, expending enormous amounts of energy, and, yet, getting nowhere?

What makes the difference?

While there are many factors, the foundation for success is very much paved with blocks of daily, weekly, and monthly routines.

Wise leaders practice routines they have purposely established in order to keep their lives, health, relationships, and businesses running smoothly. This ensures there is a level of constancy that ensures commitments are kept, health is maintained, income is managed, and relationships are not lost in the midst of highly demanding work.

When you consider the wheel of life – those areas that are key for a purposeful, fulfilling life – it is important to ask yourself what routines you can establish that will support each part of the wheel. This is especially important for entrepreneurs, whose work can easily overtake other areas if not governed in this way.

Some examples of routines incorporated by successful leaders are as follows:

1. Spiritual – Spending intentional time in prayer and meditation, attending services weekly, or serving those in need on a regular basis.
2. Mental Health and Personal Development – Taking time to enjoy a good book in the evening, learning a new skill each quarter, or regularly participating in a hobby that brings joy.
3. Physical Health – Setting a workout routine, establishing a standard for drinking water daily, or planning healthy meals.
4. Relationships – Purposely scheduling time with spouse, family, and friends on a regular basis.
5. Work – Establishing morning, noon, and end-of-day routines that create flow, ensure clear communication and timely responses, and prevent issues.
6. Life Management – Establishing routines for processing finances, paperwork, email, and other personal and household administrative duties; creating morning, after-work, and evening routines that keep your home and personal commitments in order.

These routines serve several purposes. They…

1. Establish a baseline that holds all the important things together.
2. Save exponential amounts of time.
3. Ensure commitments are kept.
4. Lessen stress.
5. Create efficiency and make it possible to focus more on projects that drive results.
6. Significantly reduce decision fatigue.
7. Help maintain balance.
8. Increase capacity by freeing up energy for focused and higher goals.
9. Allow the executive brain to focus on more important decisions.

You may be wondering how some people through the years have accomplished so much. While there are many factors, establishing routines is one major key.

For example, Steve Jobs established a routine uniform for what he wore to work each day. This and other established routines freed up his time and executive brain to focus on the innovations we take for granted today.

What areas of your life and business would benefit from routines?

Assess each of these areas and note where you have routines that are working for you. Write them down. Then note routines you could establish to make each area stronger.

1. Spiritual
2. Mental Health and Personal Development
3. Physical Health
4. Relationships
5. Work
6. Life Management

Now, here’s the key: Pick ONE new routine to add.

If you are thinking all areas need to be more established, ask yourself which ONE area would be most impactful as a starting point. It could very well be that working on your physical health, for example, may improve your work and also your life management as a side effect.

Take some this week to review your routines and set a new one in order to increase your leadership effectiveness. Practice the new routine regularly until it becomes automatic, then do the exercise again, with a new routine added.

A successful leader knows the importance of making routines a lifetime habit for leadership success.

As the CEO of Strength Leader Development, Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after international executive mentor, coach, trainer, and speaker. Deb is well versed in global business operations and helps business leaders and their teams to discover and leverage their strengths, so they can create highly collaborative teams that deliver great results. With a refreshingly direct style, and using the Maxwell Method, Deb helps leaders and teams to deliver profitable results. Connect with Deb to learn more about her mentorship and coaching programs to equip you with advanced strategies to elevate your results