Things Successful People Do Before Breakfast!

This is a new painting and is available...send me a message if interested 30 x40"

Laura Vanderkam, a time management expert, wrote the book “What the Most Successful People Do Before Breakfast.” I love these sorts of  info tidbits and  started reading to see if I do any of them and then what I should be doing that I am not:) She interviewed a lot of successful people and found a few rituals that were repeated with great frequency. Here are some of them and how I compare:)

1.Get up early. Really early...like 5 or 6 or even 4:30. You use that time for yourself. 
CHECK: I get up early most days..around 6

2. Exercise. Do it so it gets done, the later you leave it the more likely other things will get in the way. CHECK: I am a morning exerciser for sure, as often as my will power allows. Not always before breakfast but right after if it is going to happen

3.Work on a top priority biz project. Still hours of the morning often are the perfect time to focus on an important work project without being interrupted. Spending time on it at the beginning of the day ensures that it gets your attention before others (kids, employees, bosses) use it all up. NOT: I am always working on things in my head but never really get up to do anything specific

4. Work on a passion project. This is the novel that you've always wanted to write, etc. the thing that is outside your usual to do lists. Doing a little bit every day rather than in intense bursts makes it more likely it will be completed. NOT:  All my projects are passion projects hah, I have a lot of ideas. I am scattered and this might be a way to get one done to completions.

5 .Network over coffee. Early meetings are great ways to start the day. Meet over breakfast instead of lunch. Good way to squeeze in some connecting time:) CHECK: I do this sometimes, should do it more often. Perhaps make it into a once a month or every two week thing.

6. Meditate. 20-minutes. Sit quietly and breathe and repeat a mantra or whatever practice suits you. The busier you are the more important it is you carve out time to do this. Helps you focus, lowers blood pressure, fills your brain with "feel good" chemicals, and is a mini vacation from the world. NOT: I DO plan on incorporating this...the more I read about it, the more important and powerful I realize it is. 

7.Plan and Strategize while fresh. Sit and go over what you want to accomplish in the day while your brain is rested and sharp. Make a plan. Chances are you will get things done. CHECK: I do go over my day and plan out what I am going to do. It works most times. I tend to over estimate what I can accomplish.

8.Check email. Get it done before the day starts. Sort out what has to be answered and attended to or discarded CHECK: I do my email, get any orders that have come in,update Facebook, answer queries, all first thing in the morning and then periodically throughout the day but the bulk is done early.

9. Read the news. Start the day knowing what's happening in the world. NOT: I do it sporadically. I should get an app for my phone so I can quickly scan it before the day gets going.

Well...I'm not doing to badly but there are things I could improve on. Here is another article that says we should do the OPPOSITE of some of these things haha. Go figure.... I guess it really boils down to what works for you!