CEOs are usually at the top of their game when it comes to the habits they implement on a daily basis. This ensures that they are always performing at a peak level. CEOs are paid the big bucks for a reason. They are the ones who can make wise and calculated decisions under pressure that affect the entire future of the company there are working with.
When you look at the daily habits of successful CEOs, it is interesting to see that the same few habits and routines pop up again and again. This can provide you with a blueprint on how to conduct your day to day life, putting the right habits in place so that you will be successful in whatever endeavor you are planning to undertake. Here are five things successful CEOs do every day:
1. CEOs get up early
Without exception, you will see successful CEOs rising out of bed early and at the same time each and every morning. They do not press the snooze button. They have the day planned out meticulously, so they don’t want to throw these plans out of balance first thing in the morning. The average wake-up time is 6 a.m. Some get up as early as 4:30 a.m., like Apple CEO Tim Cook.
Getting up early allows you to work without distraction, as people will not be constantly bothering you. It is also a good time to get some exercise done, reflect and have a solid breakfast.
2. They exercise
There are so many endless benefits to exercise that it is a must on a daily basis for most CEOs. It will control your weight, help to lower your stress levels, improve your focus and provide your body and mind with additional energy.
Working in the office consists of a lot of sitting. Some people even call this culture of excessive sitting as being “the new smoking.” That’s why extremely busy CEOs always find time in their day — no matter how busy they are — to do some exercise. They average a 45-minute workout each day. Richard Branson claims that by getting a workout in, he has more than four hours of additional productivity that day.
3. They educate themselves
As a CEO, you need to be constantly keeping up to date with trends in your industry and elsewhere. To become the best version of you, it’s important to constantly educate yourself on different topics.
Depending on the industry, CEOs will consume the day’s newspapers early in the day to get a grasp on what has happened overnight. They’ll also look at the previous day to see if they notice anything that could affect their business. They will also spend time listening to industry experts on radio and podcasts.
In addition, CEOs improve themselves by making time to read books and listen to podcasts. This helps them improve their skills and makes them more effective at what they do. The average CEO reads 60 books a year! There is no excuse for people who are reading less and have more time on their hands. You can multi-task by listening to podcasts or reading during your commute.
4. They do the hardest work first
A lot of people put off and procrastinate when they have a large project, often leaving it until the last minute. However, successful CEOs tend to nip these assignments in the bud and get them done first thing in the morning. This is the time of day when you are most rested and focused. Your brain will be sharp, so you will be best equipped to commit to a tough project, as opposed to simply answering emails and attending meetings.
A lot of these mundane tasks can be held off until lunchtime while carving out this vital period of the morning to doing valuable work. This sets you up nicely for the rest of the day, as your mind will be at ease that you have gotten your hardest task out of the way. This also makes getting out of the office early to play golf a little more manageable.
5. They turn off at the end of the day
After a busy day of constantly being focused on the business, it’s important that CEOs take some time to relax and switch off before going to bed. At the end of the work day, they will write down the key things that need to get done the following day, as well as what they achieved and any worries or problems they may be having. This allows them to clear their mind and not have to be thinking about these issues when they are at home, spending time with loved ones or lying in bed.
People relax in different ways, whether it is watching television, reading a book or listening to music. Of course, you could play a round (or two) of golf. Find what works for you!
— Andrew O’Malley