8 Ways CEOs Make Mornings Pay Off
By Sandy Schroeder
Have you ever wondered how Starbucks’ chief Howard Schultz does so much? Making the most of mornings is one of his secrets.
Travis Bradberry, co-founder of TalentSmart, the agency that serves 75 percent of Fortune 500 companies, rounded up morning tips from several successful people. Here’s what their mornings look like.
Unplug – Starbucks’ Schultz, and many other CEOs, start the morning spending time with family and enjoying a good breakfast. Floods of emails and calls demanding action can wait. First establish the calm tone that will keep you centered all day.
Exercise and smile! – Apple and Disney CEOs recommend rising early to exercise before starting the day. Researchers find people who exercise twice a week feel more fit, more socially connected and more competent on the job. Just 10 minutes of exercise can fire up the brain’s neurotransmitters, establishing control and calmness.
Add lemon – Help yourself to Vitamin C, potassium and lots of antioxidants when you drink lemon water before breakfast. If you are 150 pounds or less, use half a lemon. Over 150, use a whole lemon. Always add water. Pure lemon juice is hard on teeth.
Enjoy breakfast – When you eat a good breakfast, you are arming yourself with energy, concentration and memory for the whole morning. Healthy breakfasts also stabilize blood sugar and reinforce good diets.
Stay mindful – Mindfulness meditation neutralizes the fearful fight or flight response. As you learn to see all of your thoughts without judging them, your mind can become freer to move about and move ahead.
Set specific daily goals – People who accomplish a lot make their goals very specific and real. Then they list them every day and try to knock off as many as they can. No wonder they get a lot done!
Remember to say no – Agreeing to do more when you are already overloaded seldom works. Stay focused on what you are doing to deliver the best work. Stretching too far to do too much risks burnout or depression.
Laugh a little – Most of the CEOs added thoughts about humor, reminding us to keep it light and see the funny side when we can. The minute I remember to laugh, everything else falls into place. When your morning is clouding over, call someone who always makes you laugh. You’ll feel better and your morning may work better, too.
However your morning usually works, a few of these tips might pay off at home and at work. Enjoy!
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