Five Essential Tips To Be A Happy, Healthy, High-Performing Entrepreneur
You’ve got the talent, endless innovative ideas, and a solid concept for your venture, but this will only form part of what you need to meet your goals and reach success.
Research on peak performance proves that accomplishment is not gained solely because of intelligence or ability. Data illustrates that high achievers foster the needs of both their minds and bodies, and this is what sets them apart.
It can be said that extreme pressure and entrepreneurship go hand-in-hand, but this does not need to be the case. By combining the right balance between a positive attitude, healthy work practices, and self-care, you can reach the top of your game more effectively.
Here are some simple habits that can ensure extraordinary results while safeguarding your physical and mental wellbeing.
1) Master your mind before you begin.
It has been drilled into society that if we work hard, we will be successful, and then we will achieve contentment. In fact, this formula is backward. Discoveries in the field of positive psychology show that joy fuels success, not the other way around.
In The Happiness Advantage, author Shawn Achor describes how happiness offers benefits in every major aspect of our lives. According to research, positive brains have a biological advantage over brains that are neutral or negative.
Developing a positive mindset floods your life with productivity, because you feel more energized and motivated to reach your goals. Similarly, the happy hormone dopamine stimulates the learning centers in the brain, making you more creative and adept at finding solutions when you encounter challenges.
Here are a few proven mood-boosters:
- Meditate for five to ten minutes at least once a day using Headspace Work Meditation.
- Smile. Yes, smile. Science has shown that the simple act of smiling boosts feel-good endorphins, reducing levels of cortisol (the stress hormone).
- Taking a short walk outside in nature has a profound effect on the brain, with the exposure to sunlight increasing the happy hormone serotonin.
2) Quality sleep and a mindful start.
How you start your morning can set the tone for the rest of your day. Committing to a healthy waking routine is essential, but first, make sure you get a nourishing night’s rest.
A lack of sleep lowers your mood, reduces focus, and can result in memory problems. The most successful people in the world understand that getting seven to eight hours of sleep every night is key to their overall achievements.
When you wake up, try taking a few moments to stretch under the covers and express gratitude before you get out of bed. Then set your intentions for the day before slowly and mindfully evolving into work-mode.
It’s best not to check your phone right before bed or first thing in the morning.
3) Map out your day.
One of the most useful habits I have incorporated into my professional life is implementing a “time-block management system” for my to-do list.
The key to time-blocking is to prioritize those tasks that need to be completed and set aside a specific timeframe to focus only on those items.
By doing this, you don’t fall victim to multitasking, which, contrary to belief, is a productivity killer and a breeding ground for anxiety. Rushing and flitting between assignments switches you to autopilot, where nothing gets your full attention or effort. When you give something your complete concentration, you can achieve a state of unadulterated flow and focus, resulting in your best work.
A lack of planning can be costly to both your professional life and your overall wellbeing.
4) Take a break.
Many people experience high levels of stress because they wait to recharge until the end of the workday, not realizing that resting is the ideal way to avoid emotional overwhelm and reboot the brain.
Top performers take regular breaks throughout the day, as they understand that recovery is the key to productivity. By reaching a point of mental overload, you are not at your optimum level for performing or thinking. So, making downtime a priority is a critical addition to your working day.
Try taking short but deliberate pauses when you complete each activity on your to-do list. These purposeful mini-appointments can be as simple as standing up for a few moments or taking several deep, enriching breaths.
By punctuating your daily schedule with breaks, you will accomplish a lot more in the long run.
5) Fail with confidence.
One of the most important things you can do to ensure long-term success is to see that failure is part of the process. By not letting setbacks be terminal or destroy your confidence, you will be able to cultivate the mindset for resilience and forge your way to triumph.
The path to victory is rarely linear, and there are countless icons who have achieved high levels of success by seeing the lessons in their letdowns. Oprah Winfrey, Arianna Huffington, and J.K. Rowling are inspirational examples of people who have used their failings to harness determination.
Allow yourself permission to fail, and then use it as an opportunity to reevaluate, recover, and bounce back stronger and wiser.
By following these simple steps, you can channel a healthier, happier, and more high-performing life as an entrepreneur. Also, ensure you surround yourself with mentors and people who nurture a positive mindset. Those who inspire you to be your best self, who lift you up when times are challenging, and who foster the flames of determination and motivation for you to reach your goals.
