No matter if it's a side hustle or full-time online business, creating habits that fuel success is integral. While we all know what should be done, making changes and sticking with them are often easier said than done. This blog is here to help you develop habits that transform doubt into action, fears into fuel, and procrastination into productivity. We will break down each step, provide mantras to stay motivated, and provide automation tips to stay on track - so let's jump right in!
To get on track for habit creation, let's address our mental barriers like self-doubt, fear of failure, and procrastination first. Mantras are simple yet effective phrases that can retrain our minds; try beginning your habit-creation journey by using these powerful mantras to reprogram your mindset: Remind yourself, "I am capable and strong" to silence that inner critic. "Done is better than perfect", accept imperfection as part of life's journey, and move forward without giving up.
Every step counts; remind yourself that any progress made counts as one. Tip: Write these mantras down on sticky notes and place them where you'll see them frequently-e.g. on your desk, bathroom mirror, or phone screensaver.
A keystone habit is an initial change that causes ripple effects throughout. For instance:
Morning Meditation or Breathwork: Commence each day with serenity and clarity by dedicating 5-10 minutes to mindfulness or breathwork each morning to reduce stress and set an optimistic tone.
Sleep Schedule: For optimal energy, focus, and decision-making abilities prioritizing at least 8 hours of restful slumber is vital.
Hydration Ritual: Begins your day right with a large glass of water to stay hydrated - dehydration saps energy and can alter mood, leading to decreased productivity. Once it becomes part of your routine, adding additional habits should become simpler.
Establishing routines becomes simpler when new habits are introduced alongside old ones - known as habit stacking (James Clear's book Atomic Habits is an invaluable resource here)
Example 1: After your morning coffee, do a 5-minute meditation.
Example 2: While brushing your teeth, visualize your top three goals for the day.
Example 3: After checking emails, take a 5-minute walk to refresh and recharge.
Actionable Tip: Choose an existing daily habit that you enjoy doing and build another desired habit directly onto it.
As a small business owner, time is your greatest commodity. Automation tools like Satva.io provide invaluable assistance for handling repetitive tasks and freeing up precious hours for more worthwhile endeavors.
Email Marketing: Automate email sequences to nurture leads and close sales using tools such as Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign.
Scheduling: Use apps such as Buffer or Later to plan and schedule posts ahead of time on social media channels like Facebook.
Automating Client Onboarding: Automate client intake forms, welcome emails, and initial consultations to create an effortless client onboarding experience for every new client.
Pro Tip: Review daily tasks to identify any that can be automated - then set up the system once and watch it work in the background!
Time blocking is an effective strategy that involves allotting specific blocks of time for specific tasks, helping prevent procrastination while keeping you focused on what matters most.
Mornings for Deep Work: Reserve one to two hours each morning to focus on your most pressing projects when your brain is fresh and focused.
Afternoons for Administrative Tasks: Reserve time in the afternoon for meetings, emails, or any routine tasks you need to be completed.
Buffer Time: Always leave time between tasks for breaks or unexpected interruptions, such as unexpected meetings.
An actionable tip would be to use a digital calendar (like Google Calendar ) to color-code blocks and set reminders to stay on task.
Physical activity is important not just for physical health; it also benefits mental well-being. Include movement into your daily routine to boost energy and creativity.
Morning Walks or Runs: Begin each day right with a short brisk walk or run to clear your mind and get creative juices flowing.
Exercise or Pilates Sessions: Engaging in short workouts or Pilates sessions can reduce stress while increasing focus and concentration.
Stretch Breaks: Take 5 minutes every hour for stretching or light exercises that keep both body and mind active and sharp.
To stay motivated: Visualization can transform mindsets. It keeps us on the path toward our desired outcomes: Utilize goal-setting strategies!
Visualize Success: Spend some time each morning visualizing how reaching your goals will feel like, as a way to visualize success and keep focused. Imagine how satisfying achieving these goals would be.
Write Down Your Goals: Studies show that writing down your goals increases their likelihood of becoming reality. Keep a journal and record daily, weekly, and monthly goals.
Actionable Tip: Create a Vision Board as an additional way of staying inspired throughout your goals journey.
Reward yourself when you achieve small successes to boost motivation. Rewards don't need to be big; even small treats or breaks can have a dramatic effect.
Mini-Rewards: After finishing an important task, treat yourself with something small such as a short break, your favorite snack, or scrolling social media - anything will help keep motivation high and keep the wheels turning! At the end of each week, celebrate your achievements by treating yourself to something nice or treating someone special to an experience! Attractively mark them down on a calendar!
Take time out regularly to assess how your progress is going and make adjustments as necessary.
Weekly Check-Ins: Plan weekly reviews to assess your routines and habits.
Monthly Reflections: Reflect over the past month to pinpoint areas for growth or celebration.
Transform Doubt into Routine for Success Success may not always come easily, but with the right habits and mindset you can turn doubts into actions with greater efficiency. Remember it's not about perfection but progress - start small, remain consistent, and utilize automation tools as needed to make things simpler for yourself. Are You Ready to Take Action Now? Create one keystone habit now, and watch how its ripple effects transform both your life and business.
Success isn't for those who never experience doubt—it's for those who learn to harness it as fuel. By cultivating small, impactful habits and leveraging tools like automation, time-blocking, and daily reflection, you pave a path where success feels within reach, and your days become rich with purpose, growth, and fulfillment. Remember, this journey is uniquely yours. It's not about striving for perfection but showing up each day, doing the work, and celebrating every small step forward. Embrace the discomfort as part of the process, and keep making progress—one habit at a time.
Where should you begin? Identify a keystone habit, repeat its mantras, automate what can be automated, and watch as your doubts transform into actions that define your success story.
Let's make it happen! Begin now, and remember: every great feat has begun with one courageous step forward.