You’ve heard more than a few roundups of the habits of high performers, but you probably haven’t heard one that reminds you to enjoy yourself, and go outside!
Performing well is about being in tune with your most important resources—your own intellect and skills—and with the world around you, in your workplace setting and beyond. So it’s vital to think about the habits that set you up for success as habits that keep you running, and keep you open to the insights that you’re working to gather and apply throughout your day.
5 Habits of High Performers
1. Get in tune with your body and mind
Where you work matters. Some days you may need the structure of a desk, and other days you may crave the relaxation of a comfy sofa. Your body is constantly sending you signals about what it wants, and being able to interpret those signals will make your work routine more productive.
Don’t be afraid to change directions either! If you started at a coffee shop and it’s just not working, don’t hesitate to get up and leave. The time you spend being distracted in a place you are uncomfortable will be greater than the time spent moving to somewhere your brain and body actually wants to be.
2. Make a plan and stick to it
You’ll see a vast difference when you take 5 minutes at night to develop a loose outline of the next day’s tasks. Marking off tasks will make you feel successful and accomplished, resulting in a more satisfying work day.
To help with this, find a time management tool that allows you to see the tasks you have completed. Give Momentum a shot. It’s a chrome plugin that offers daily quotes, rotating beautiful backgrounds, and easy-to-manage checklists—if you’ve read other lists of habits of high performers, it’s likely this tool will have solutions to help you work on other recommended habits, too.
Check out a screenshot of what my momentum looks like on a regular workday:
“I like to include really easy things scattered throughout my day. It adds a sense of accomplishment and keeps me on track.”
3. Get up early
Try getting up as early as 5:00 am.
“When I first started freelancing I was getting up at 8 or 9 and then by 12, I would need to take a lunch break. Then I wouldn’t be finished with my work until 5; it was no different than working a nine to five job.
Then I switched my schedule. I started getting up at five am. I started to finish my work by noon, which gave me time to focus on my hobbies and on growing my own business, and I was actually making more money because I wasn’t distracted and I was able to accomplish more.”
Need help making the switch? Check out these benefits and some tips on how to get started.
4. Don’t forget to go outside
Of all the habits of high performers, this one seems to get the least amount of attention. Getting outside is good for more than just fresh air; it allows you to reset and revitalize with a little vitamin D. It’s also good to give your eyes and mind a break from the screen.
Try to get away from your desk for at least a 5-minute walk every 2-3 hours. Leave your phone at your desk, shut off your computer and step outside. You will be amazed at your brain’s focused results.
5. Do what you love
A list of a hundred habits of high performers won’t help if you’re not committed to, and energized by, what you do.
Whether you are spending your time creating a business or you have the opportunity to work from home instead of in your workplace, you should be doing something that inspires you and makes you excited to start work in the morning.
Forming Your Habits
Any habit—but especially these 5 habits of high performers—will take time to form. Don’t get discouraged. You deserve to be at your best, and showing up for yourself with the simple desire to grow these habits will make a tangible difference in your routine.
