Copyright Entrepreneur
Most effective business leaders appreciate the importance of identifying healthy, strategic habits. They understand that executing these activities consistently drives sustained success. It doesn’t necessarily mean they enjoy performing these tasks or that they get some inspirational charge out of them. Fun or not, the combination of smart habits and a strong sense of purpose delivers exponentially better results over time than an ad hoc approach ever could. Leaders are sometimes misguided in how they pursue business success. They chase outcomes, like benchmarks in revenue and growth, instead of first establishing the habits that are foundational to those results. It’s a bit like putting the cart before the horse, which can make the road to business success a much bumpier journey. Related: This Founder Solved His ‘Biggest Mistake’ to Go From 0 to 500,000 Customers Habits are more than just tasks Healthy leadership habits are the architecture for many aspects of your business. Brand, human resources, growth, innovation. Every habit that you steadfastly commit to has a compound effect on your business. Healthy leadership habits tend to perpetuate other healthy habits throughout the organization, while poor or sporadic habits reflect a lack of intention or follow-through. Healthy habits of business leaders don’t just drive business objectives; they also model productive behaviors for your team. By taking the time and intention to accomplish these activities on repeat, you are investing in both quantitative and qualitative outcomes. Remember, positive or negative, big or small, your habits as a business leader have a tangible impact on your employees, your customers and the sustained success of your organization. So, make what you do day in and day out meaningful. Long-term purpose tops short-term results when it comes to habits Committing to habits often requires a bit of a leap of faith. Most successful habits are anchored more in why you perform them — their purpose — than what they can immediately produce. It is this compelling purpose that allows us to sustain smart, healthy habits even when challenges arise. Purpose acts as the conduit between today’s habits and tomorrow’s successes. You might compare the relationship between habits and purpose to adhering to a weight-loss diet. If the habit of eating a specific set of foods is designed to lose a certain number of pounds in, say, three months, no matter how healthy the eating habits are, the purpose is limited due to the time constraint. Or if the habits are ill-defined, like “I want to eat better”, the purpose is ambiguous, and the results are likely going to be far less profound. If, instead, one commits to the long-term, healthy habit of eating nutrient-rich, non-processed foods, the diet is specific and repeatable, and the weight-loss goal is achieved thanks to the long-term alignment between habit and purpose. The same goes for business. By identifying and bolstering purpose with sustainable habits, you supercharge your results both in the short and long term. Most business leaders find that discipline is easier and more impactful when it corresponds to outcomes that make a difference. When habits are rooted in purpose, they are far more likely to stick. Then when the desired outcome is achieved, those habits transform into just smart business sense. Related: 67% of Millionaires Do This Every Morning — Do You? Are your current habits moving you and your business forward? Reflection and accountability are key components in the habits of successful people. Consider whether your current habits are in alignment with your goals and objectives. It is important to note that not all habits are good ones. Inaction, poor time management and lack of communication can all be habitual. Do a little soul-searching and consider whether your current leadership habits are driving you and your business forward or holding you back: What habits do you currently perform that serve a specific purpose? How well do you utilize your mornings to perform purpose-driven habits? How do your current habits, good or bad, affect your team and their performance? What about your culture? Do your current habits involve or engage your team? Habits can and probably should evolve over time. Strict adherence to “what has always worked” often leads to diminished returns. The first step in building better habits is recognizing how well they suit you today, then adjusting them as necessary. How to build healthy business leadership habits The thought of implementing new habits can be daunting. But even the biggest transformations and outcomes usually start with a simple, repeatable action. So start small, then begin building out more strategic habits from there: Habit Stacking. Link new habits to current ones. Most leaders find the morning an ideal time to perform many of their habits. If your day starts with answering emails, follow it up with another sustainable, healthy habit. Build Accountability. Execution might include delegating certain habit-related activities to others. Hold them accountable and reinforce the importance of healthy habits throughout your company culture. Don’t Expect Immediate Results. Leadership habits seldom yield a payout overnight. Don’t rush the process or harbor unrealistic expectations. Just keep the pace and believe the outcome is imminent. Add It to Your Calendar. Particularly when habits are new, it is important to intentionally block off time to perform them. Otherwise, they can get lost in the shuffle. Prioritize Purpose. When it comes to performing habits, maintain a deep sense of not just the what but the why. Make decisions based on purpose and importance, not just ritual.
