8 Habits to Adopt to Prepare for Success

Let’s keep riding the New Year wave and talk more ways to prepare ourselves for success.

I’ve already shared what I’l be doing to grow the blog in 2018 and some tips on setting goals you’ll achieve this year. But today, I wanted to share some simple tips that will help better your life overall.

There are a few things that I do consistently that honestly make or break my weeks.

Every day, I make anywhere from 2-5 lists with tasks, ideas, thoughts or brain dumps to keep my mind clear and able to focus on the work I’m getting done. I consistently wake up at the same time each morning and ease into a morning routine first, before jumping online. And I read anywhere from 50-100 pages of a book each day. More if the day is running in my favor.

These are such small things, but doing them consistently makes such a big impact.

I’ll be sharing more about creating good routine habits throughout the month, but today I wanted to share 10 things that, when incorporated into your existing routines, can make a world of difference.

Make a list every day.

I pretty much live by a list. A to-do list, grocery list, goal list. I write them all of the time. Make at least one where you can dump all those thoughts cluttering your brain, I’ll bet it’s a game changer.

Wake up at the same time each morning.

I’m an early riser, but consistency is really the key here. Waking up at the same time helps your body perform better during the day. If you can, try going to bed around the same time, too and get enough sleep to revitalize your body.

Use a planner, notebook or bullet journal to organize your schedule.

I use a planner to schedule my weeks and keep track of deadlines and carry a notebook always to write down lists, ideas or random thoughts as they come up. The notebook is more for ideation and brain dumping and the planner is more formal scheduling. Find a tool that works, and stick to it.

Avoid checking your phone first thing in the morning.

When I wake up in the morning, I’ll pour some coffee and then wash my face and read or journal for a few minutes. While all of this is happening, I keep my phone in another room until I’m ready to turn a podcast on and get a little work done before leaving for my 9-5. This helps me start things off with more focus (instead of worrying about pending emails).

Plan your meals at the start of the week, then grocery shop.

Having one less thing to stress over is an amazing feeling. Before you head to the grocery store, plan what you’re actually going to eat during the week including snacks and make sure you have all of those things on hand.

Select an accountability partner.

I mentioned this in my goal setting post. Whether you’re trying to launch a blog or read more books, pick someone to support you through that journey and hold you accountable.

Schedule routine doctors/dentist visits early in the year.

By the end of the month, I’ll have all of my routine doctor visits scheduled. Getting check ups is one of those adulting tasks I really wish my dad still did for me. So I get it all done early so I don’t forget and end up scrambling to get them done.

Track how much water you drink daily and commit to staying hydrated.

I always know when I haven’t had enough water because I’m sluggish, cranky and have trouble focusing. I keep a water bottle at my desk and in my bag so that I don’t have to buy water and can avoid dehydration.

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I’d love to hear what small habits you use to build your daily routines!