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Entrepreneur meeting with business team in conference room<\/p>\n
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To succeed as an entrepreneur today, you need to take in a constant influx of information. But you also need to know when to lock it down and listen to nothing but your own internal voice. The model of the highly disciplined, overscheduled overachiever just isn\u2019t functional when technology means \u2019round-the-clock access to you and your energy.<\/p>\n
Sure, you sometimes need to put in long, grueling hours to succeed. But if you don\u2019t take breaks, the constant stress will burn you out, which serves nobody. To invest in yourself as a leader, emphasize balance over a high-speed, pressure-cooker lifestyle. Some of these tips may seem a bit counterintuitive, but they\u2019ll boost your odds of long-term success.<\/p>\n
First things first: Get. Enough. Sleep. The idea that successful entrepreneurs never rest is a myth the business world needs to stop perpetuating, for everyone\u2019s sake.<\/p>\n
As reported in KillerStartups, researcher and author Thomas Corley found that 89% of self-made millionaires<\/a> get at minimum <\/em>seven hours of sleep per night. Without proper rest, your brain can\u2019t make the kinds of high-stakes decisions<\/a> successful leaders face every day.<\/p>\n And if you want to improve your sleep quality, and virtually other metric of your health and happiness, get some exercise. Successful leaders share the habit of engaging in at least 30 minutes of cardio a day. Like sleep, exercise improves your cognitive function so you can make the best decisions for your business.<\/p>\n Nutrition likewise has a powerful impact on your leadership skills \u2014 and a domino effect on everything else in your life. Your diet can make or break your mental acuity<\/a>. It\u2019s crucial to feed yourself well if you want to steer your company to success.<\/p>\n Once you\u2019ve got those Maslow needs covered, it’s time to think bigger. What are your long-term financial and personal goals, and what does success mean to you?<\/p>\n According to Corley, you need to make sure all your goals are truly yours<\/em>. <\/em>Yes, you need to be focused on building your business and saving for the future. But don\u2019t fall into the trap of trying to measure up to others or, worse, trying to please your parents.<\/p>\n In his research, Corley found that pursuing one\u2019s own dreams and goals resulted in the greatest long-term happiness and wealth accumulation. In other words, being happy \u2014both at and outside of work \u2014 can actually earn you more money.<\/p>\n So look for what brings you joy and motivates you to perform at your best. It could be the adrenaline of achieving greater market share or having the flexibility to spend more time with your loved ones. It doesn\u2019t matter what your objectives are. You\u2019ll still go further in business if you\u2019re chasing goals that light you up.<\/p>\n On that note, if what makes you happiest isn\u2019t always what pays, that\u2019s OK. Make time for hobbies, passion projects, travel, and anything else that feels intuitively, holistically good.<\/p>\n You may tell yourself you don\u2019t have time, between exercising, eating right, and putting in long hours at work. But don\u2019t convince yourself that every minute of your time should be \u201cproductively.\u201d You\u2019ll only burn out, causing both you and your company to suffer.<\/p>\n By contrast, throwing yourself into your hobbies actually makes you a better entrepreneur<\/a>.<\/em> A hobby can be the inspiration for a new innovative offering or business practice. It can also help you build connections with other successful, highly motivated people.<\/p>\n As an entrepreneur, you know that your lifestyle takes a certain kind of spark that not everyone has. The kinds of people who prioritize interesting, creative lives tend to be the most successful. Be one of them, and in the process, you\u2019ll meet people who can help you learn, grow, and network.<\/p>\n There\u2019s really only one way to make sure you can manage any or all of the above. You need to be extremely protective of your time. This doesn\u2019t necessarily mean implementing rigid time management methods<\/a> \u2014 though if they work for you, feel free to continue using them.<\/p>\n What it definitely means is being super clear on your priorities and giving a firm \u201cno\u201d to anything or anyone that interferes. Plan your day not around how many hours you work, but around the actions that make you most functional and effective.<\/p>\n Many successful leaders have neurodivergences like ADHD that make traditional time-blocking ineffective. Instead of working 9 to 5, some capitalize on late night or early-morning periods of hyperfocus to get creative work done. Then they use traditional work hours for lower-priority tasks or self-care.<\/p>\n Protecting your time can take a million different forms. Maybe it\u2019s marking yourself \u201cbusy\u201d on your calendar, turning your phone off, and wearing noise-canceling headphones. Or perhaps it\u2019s delegating tasks to junior workers, then locking your office door and meditating for 20 minutes. It\u2019s not the method that matters; it\u2019s finding the way that works best for you.<\/p>\n The life of an entrepreneur hasn\u2019t gotten any easier. That\u2019s why it\u2019s more important than ever to find internal sources of stability and resilience. A successful business needs a firm, steady hand to guide it. So take care of yourself first, and give yourself the fuel you need to make your company soar.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n2. Set Goals That Spark Joy<\/h2>\n
3. Make Time for Other Passions<\/h2>\n
4. Protect Your Time<\/h2>\n
Striking the Right Balance<\/h2>\n