I lead coaching groups with my clients called Fight Club. We don’t talk about Fight Club.
But we do talk about ways to develop the habits or systems to get the thing done on a daily, weekly, monthly basis. Little things often lead to big things. As in big things accomplished if you do the reps over time.
Habits are NOT the things we must do every day because if we don’t there is a negative consequence. Brushing our teeth, walking the dog, eating.
Here are some of the habits we talk about in Fight Club.
Plan Your Day the Night Before
Have your to-do list for the next day ready to go. Know about your scheduled meetings so you can set up what you need. Prepare your clothes so you don’t have to scramble. If I prepare my gym clothes the night before, I’m much more likely to get to the gym the next day.
No Social Media for First Hour of the Day
Focus on your own life before being consumed by somebody else’s. It’s easy to get lost in videos, posts, and other content which have become addictions.
Create Daily Musts
Make a list, and check it twice, of all the things you could do to get the reps in within the first hour of your workday. In fact, make it a check list complete with boxes in the margin so you can check the thing off as you complete it.
No Email Until You Get Your MUSTS Done
Much like with social media, we often get consumed by our email. Often, our inbox is about somebody else’s timeframe and not ours. Of course, review email to make sure there is nothing pressing but otherwise get your more pressing tasks complete while you’re off the clock.
Eat the Same Breakfast Every Day
For me it’s coffee, water, Greek yogurt or cottage cheese with fruit. Maybe rye toast with it. Again, one less thing to think about. What’s more is that I know what my calorie intake and macros are (if you’re into that sort of thing) so it’s easier to make food choices later in the day.
Scan Your Plan
As in your “Street” Business Plan! I use a one-page plan that breaks down my one-year Vision, Goals, Projects, and short-term Action Steps. I review it every day to ensure I’m on track with my planning. If my actions track, great. If not, I change the Business Plan.
Own Your Calendar
This is a biggie! If prospect and client meetings “bump” other commitments you have made on your calendar, then you don’t own your calendar. I have created a model week and allow meetings to fit in blocks of time that I have allocated for meetings. Unless something comes up that MUST be at that time (speaking engagement, meeting with a board, actual emergency), I make the upcoming meeting “fit” my calendar by simply offering other scheduling options. That is owning your calendar.
Do the Biggest Thing First
The tasks I hate the most or require the most thinking, the most grit, the most angst, the most time, get done first. After my Daily Musts. Writing projects, contracts, paying bills, posting on social media, difficult conversations, making videos, all fall into this category for me. It’s always best when I schedule them first.
Weekly Pillar
There are certain tasks that fall into a “must get done every week” category. This might include following up with prospects, writing, some form of marketing, posting, and billing. Some tasks may not require daily attention but by scheduling them weekly, they may feel like less of a grind and you will more than likely complete them.
Anti To-Do List
What are the bad habits you already have that get in your way? Scrolling through social media, constantly checking email, games on your phone or laptop (I love Solitaire), texting or calling friends, or NOT owning your calendar. Make a list of the habits you want to break or minimize. Then make a commitment to stay on task. Perhaps as a reward, during a break you can get a game of Solitaire in!
Plan your work and work your plan! The most successful people seem to have systems in place, so they know what to do, when to do it, and have developed the habits to be consistent.
These are some of mine!
