7 Habits of Successful Âé¶¹Éçs That Startup Owners Should Follow

Chasing deadlines, crunching numbers and pushing innovation are ‘”just another day at work” for startup owners. But, what do they do for themselves?

By Pratik Dholakiya | edited by Dan Bova | Jun 06, 2017
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Chasing deadlines, crunching numbers and pushing innovation are components of ‘”just another day at work” for startup owners. They have a lot on their plates, knowing that fail in the growth stage.

Related: 5 Tips for a Healthy Âé¶¹Éçial Lifestyle

Given all this pressure and constant workload,startup owners are left with no time for themselves. And that’s a shame because little do these entrepreneurs know that following the tried-and-tested habits described below — ones successful owners follow all the time — can boost their productivity like never before.

Here they are:

1. Get moving — any time of day,

Indulging in a fitness activity is the best way to kick-start your mornings, as exemplified by numerous .

Hit the gym or go for brisk walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, yoga, or simply take your dog out for a walk. Not only does physical activity add to your health and wellbeing, it also sets the tone for the day, leading to better performance at work.

Not all of us are early birds like and . However, you can always make time for a quick workout in your schedule even if it’s not at the crack of dawn.

As Russell Pate, a professor of exercise science at the University of South Carolina said in an “The best time of the day is when you will do it , because the benefits of physical activity are tightly linked to the amount you do on a consistent basis.”

2. Network. It’s the key to growth.

Constantly being in touch with people who subscribe to the same school of thought you do is a definite morale-booster. The incessant flow of knowledge, the wide access to multiple opportunities and the sharing of ideas with influencers and peers at various business and social events raises the bar for any business.

Network with them on social media, join organizations, attend local meet-ups and drop in at business seminars or at meetings at co-working spaces. Also, don’t forget to follow up.

Related: This Lifestyle Guru Explains Why It’s Important to Put Yourself First

3. Take frequent breaks between work tasks.

that brief diversions from a task have the potential to vastly improve focus on a task for prolonged periods. This also supports the belief that skipping breaks can result in stress. This means that scheduling before burning out does more good than harm.

Wondering about the frequency of your breaks versus your need to boost your productivity? Studies point to working consecutively for followed by a 17-minute break. Another article advises “unplugging” .

4. Remember: “Reading maketh an entrepreneur.”

Reading is a common pastime that unites highly successful people.

  • Elon Musk ,”I read books” when asked how he learned to build rockets.
  • Warren Buffett spends 80 percent of his day .
  • Bill Gates is a known bookworm and . He also collects rare books.
  • In 2015, Mark Zuckerberg pledged to read a book every .
  • Âé¶¹Éç David Rubenstein takes reading to the extreme level by — he claims –reading six books a week and 10 newspapers .

So, step into the shoes of entrepreneurs like these who love reading, and put some good books on your reading list to add to your personal and professional growth.

5. Pursue some hobbies (even if they are offbeat).

Rich and famous entrepreneurs also pursue .

As , “My hobbies actually make me better at work. They help me come up with new and innovative ways of looking at things.” While Mayer has a penchant for cupcakes, other entrepreneurs have just as individual hobbies and interests:

  • Warren Buffett’s his passion for ukulele is . He has even played a .
  • Elon Musk .
  • The Segway Polo world championship is also known as the Woz Challenge Cup after Steve Wozniak of Apple who’s an avid player of the “.”
  • Jeff Bezos is funding the construction of the in New Mexico.
  • Richard Branson’s across the Pacific Ocean reflected just one of his diverse interests.

Take up any hobby of your choice that’ll help you unwind after a hard day’s work. It’ll add to your personality and get your creative juices flowing.

6. Never stop learning.

This one’s a no-brainer. You should strive to get better with each passing day. Even Bill Gates attributes his success to the fact that .

Stay on top of the startup game by being aware of the latest happenings and trends in your industry. At the same time, constantly add new skills to your arsenal and use them for the betterment of your startup.

7. Practice philanthropy — give back.

Integrated philanthropy is another common trait successful entrepreneurs share.

The , the and Marc Benioff’s are all examples of founders giving back and exhibiting social responsibility. More recently, Airbnb’s co-founders committed half their fortunes . And while Steve Jobs was criticized for not being philanthropic enough, it was later revealed that he in California, and funded HIV and AIDS research.

Related: Lifestyle Âé¶¹Éçship Is the Ultimate in Work-Life Balance

Chasing deadlines, crunching numbers and pushing innovation are components of ‘”just another day at work” for startup owners. They have a lot on their plates, knowing that fail in the growth stage.

Related: 5 Tips for a Healthy Âé¶¹Éçial Lifestyle

Given all this pressure and constant workload,startup owners are left with no time for themselves. And that’s a shame because little do these entrepreneurs know that following the tried-and-tested habits described below — ones successful owners follow all the time — can boost their productivity like never before.

Pratik Dholakiya • Founder of Growfusely

Pratik Dholakiya is the founder of Growfusely, a content marketing agency specializing in content and... Read more

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