You don’t need to be sitting in a boardroom to think of yourself as a boss.
I believe we are all bosses in some capacity, regardless of our job title or position we hold.
We each have it in us to run our lives with a CEO mind frame. Often, all we have to do is activate the proper mindset and habits that will help take us there.
Below are seven habits that have enabled me to build a life I love while focusing on some of my most important values, such as financial wellness and productivity.
Let’s begin with how I start my work week. There are a few things I recommend on Sundays to set yourself up for a productive week.
Set Your Goals
I have talked about goal setting more times than I can count, and the reason is that setting goals are one of the most important things you can do to be successful. Every week, you should be able to write down at least three goals you are working on. This exercise should not stress you out as it doesn’t need to be overcomplicated. I hope you all know by now I am the queen of baby steps. Your goals can be so minimal, they may not even seem like a real goal, but I can promise you a goal is a goal!
Is your goal to do three sit-ups? Great. Write that down.
Is your goal to take five minutes and read that new business book you bought? Awesome. Write that down.
The simpler you can make your goals, the more likely you are to achieve them. Whatever you do, write them down. I cannot stress the importance of making sure your goals exist on paper.
Here are three things to keep in mind if you don’t know where to start with your goals.
Related: How To Stay Positive And Accomplish Big Audacious Goals
Meal Prep
One habit that I adapted as soon as I entered the workforce is to meal prep. Preparing my lunch ahead of time has been a huge game-changer for me, not only saving money (hello $13 New York City lunches) but also eliminating the stress of having to decide what to eat every day for lunch. On Sundays, I make a big batch of quinoa, lentils and clean and cut up all vegetables and salad I plan to use.
I have been using these meal prep containers for years. They help me stay cognizant of portion control, but they are also durable, freezer safe, microwave safe, and dishwasher safe.
I don’t want to make presumptions, but typically, we go for what’s easy and convenient if we don’t plan ahead.
*Pro-tip: You can use the extra vegetables you cut up for your dinners as well. Throw them on a homemade pizza, in a soup, or grill them up. Doing so will also help you save more time during the week.
Check Your Bank Account and Activity Weekly
This task can take less than three minutes, but it can alleviate a massive headache down the road. Log in at least once a week to your bank account (if not more) and check to make sure everything appears to be in order. Here is a quick checklist for things you can ask yourself and be on the lookout for:
Are all purchases on my credit card ones that I made?
Is there is any suspicious activity? (This can help to catch fraudulent activity)
Do I have any upcoming payments due?
Are there any unnecessary fees to be aware of (i.e., banking fees, overdraft fees, any other fees you are unaware of)
*Pro-tip: I have my bank account app directly on my phone. It saves time as I do not have to log in to a computer or website every time I view my account. I use face recognition to log in, making it quick and simple. Doing my banking online also avoids the hassle of paper statements.
Build A Success List, Not A To-Do List
Every day, many items make their way on our to-do list. As long as we are alive, we will inevitably have things that need to get done, but I will tell you one of the most important things I have learned.
Not all tasks on our list are created equal.
I want to challenge each of us to take the advice from Gary Keller, author of The One Thing, who suggests a success list over a to-do list.
The success list is vital because it helps us centralize our attention on the tasks that will deliver the most significant results.
Keller tells us this, “It is not that we have too little time to do all the things we need to do, it is that we feel the need to do too many things in the time we have.”
To master building a success list, the key question Keller asks in his book is:
“What’s the ONE Thing you can do such that by doing it, everything else will be easier or unnecessary?”
Be Cognizant Of The Amount of Negative Energy You Consume
Toxic energy is everywhere, both in physical and non-physical forms. From the moment you wake, you can be exposed to an infiltration of things that may cause anxiety, stress, and feelings of toxic energy. Understanding where the sources of the negative energy come from can help to minimize the effects.
Social media, the news, and everyday conversations with family and friends are all sources that can defeat us unknowingly.
To reduce the amount of negative energy that streams into your life, begin by becoming aware of how much negative news or media you consume. Although it’s good to be informed and in the know, it can also be detrimental to our health to consume an abundance of negative news all the time. Stay informed but do not overindulge yourself.
Related: How To Stop Negative Thoughts From Overtaking Your Life
Take better breaks
Many of us are still working from home, making things challenging to separate our personal and professional lives. Since many of us have access to our work emails 24/7, it can make us feel like we always need to be on and available.
One important thing to remember is that when you are in the process of a break, like taking a midday walk or grabbing an afternoon coffee, it’s essential to use this time to truly take a break. That means you aren’t continuing to check email, scroll social media, or ingesting the stress of the news, it means fully taking a break from all sources of items that may be pulling at our attention.
Set healthy limits on your social media usage time, and when it is time to put the workday to an end, allow yourself to relax fully. If you feel burned out, put your phone on the other side of the room or flip it over so you can’t see it light up, always pulling at your attention.
Keep in mind; a real break means that you aren’t thinking of work either. It’s clearing your mind and living in the moment. Trust me, the work will be there once you return.
Louisa May Alcott tells us this, “Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant, and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success.”
Related: The Fight Against Burnout And What You Can Do About It
Watch Your Added Sugar Consumption
To be successful, we will need to have sustained energy and optimal health to achieve the goals we desire most.
What does our sugar consumption have to do with living a great life? As it turns out, a lot.
Excess added sugar could lead to weight gain, obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and inflammation. In simplest terms, every one of these health conditions slows us down and can be costly from a medical standpoint.
Health is wealth; let us not forget.
Remember, the sugar found in your whole fruits is not the same as the sugar added to products to increase flavor or extend shelf life. It’s important not to confuse the two.
If you need a few tips on cutting back, check out my other article on how to become more mindful of your sugar intake.
What are some other habits that have helped you become successful? I am always looking for new habits that will help boost my success. I would love to hear some of your ideas in the comments below. 😊
*Disclosure: I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This helps keep my website up and running. I appreciate you and your support!