When you work for yourself productivity becomes more important than ever.
At the end of the day, if you don't use your time well, it will affect your earning ability and your reputation. No pressure at all then!
I am sure I can't be alone in having the odd morning where it feels events conspire against me. The alarm fails to sound. I forget something and have to go home again. It can make me feel very thrown and unsure of how to progress.
But this is where daily routines can save us. I've read a lot this year on the habits that will serve us best, and help us when we have days like I mentioned.
1% performance improvements & linked habits
Many believe that having better days comes down to changing long term habits.
There are a lot of great books on this, my favourite is Atomic Habits by James Clear
Clear is a teacher of 1% improvements; the art of improving something by 1% for huge gains overall, and linked habits.
Linking actions together so you can't fail to do one without the other.
For anyone doubting they can create habits that help, we all remember to clean our teeth twice a day, which is just that, an established behaviour.
Others can be learned with a bit of will power!
Make your bed, improve your day
Another brilliant book is 'Make Your Bed' by William H.McRaven which revolves around the idea that simply by making your bed you are destined for a better day.
Why? Because by securing a win first thing in the morning you will change your mindset for the rest of the day.
Could it really be that simple?
Hot Hand Theory
I found myself listening to an interesting talk on 'hot hand' theory at Nudgestock an online behavioural economics conference.
This is a sporting theory originating in basketball, where having a hot hand means you have winning statistics in the game. Does delivering a winning performance mean you are more likely to keep winning? People once thought it so, but apparently it's not the case.
In summary, for me I have learnt that there are loads of ways I can set myself up for a good day, or a bad one.
But at the end of that day, it is just a day and there will be another one tomorrow.
But I do always make my bed. It's just tidier!
Thanks for reading
Shona
Would you like more help with your marketing? My new book is out now
If you would like a book of 100 Marketing Tips written just for small business owners then do have a look here. I wrote this book to be easy to read cover to cover or to be kept as a reference to dip in and out of!
What to read next
If you enjoyed this article you can read others from me here:
About Me
Shona Chambers Marketing is a Marketing Agency based in SE London. Specialising in helping Small Business Owners and Freelancers with their Marketing.