What's one habit you have that helps make you a successful entrepreneur?

Question

To uncover the habits that drive entrepreneurial success, we've gathered twenty insightful responses from CEOs, founders, and other business leaders. From the importance of 90-Day planning and goal setting to the benefits of evening reading for better sleep, these successful entrepreneurs share their personal habits that contribute to their success.

Allison Dunn · Answer

My #1 habit driving success in our company is 90-day planning and goal setting. It ensures clear objectives, accountability, and adaptability. This habit extends beyond our internal operations. It plays a critical role in building trust and credibility with our clients. When clients see our commitment to clear objectives and well-structured plans, they feel assured of our ability to guide them toward their own goals effectively. We feel so strongly about this habit that we offer 90-day planning sessions every quarter for our entire client community, included in their coaching program. This habit, practiced every 90 days, is our cornerstone, shaping strategies and fostering lasting impact.

Sasha Laghonh · Answer

Know your priorities upfront. Be aware of which ones are negotiable versus non-negotiable because there will be certain moments when time and capacity are competing for your attention. It becomes easier to make decisions by extending a “yes” or “no” to external commitments that demand your time. This helps with time management and reserving fuel (mental, emotional, and physical) when managing your day. The gray area is diminished by at least 98% during the decision-making process. The goal is to remove confusion and doubts when honoring these priorities. If these so-called priorities are developing often, chances are they aren't really a priority to begin with, thus prompting the entrepreneur to go back to answering “what” they want to achieve and “why”. Either you're all in or you're all out. Know your objective. Understand it. Decisiveness is key.

Glen Maguire · Answer

I perform a thorough financial check-up of my business daily, and this habit‌ contributes significantly to my success. When the entrepreneur neglects the financial sector of his company and focuses entirely on operations, he becomes vulnerable and opens up space for negative consequences, which may arise eventually. With the correct financial control, it is possible to analyze the current financial health of the company, besides the future condition. This allows for more assertive decision-making with a focus on business development.

Brent Moeshlin · Answer

I have launched a business based on my hobbies and interests, and this has played a big part in my success as an entrepreneur. Since I am running a business that is related to something I am so passionate about, it's easy for me to dive in and be successful.It doesn't feel like work when it's something you are passionate about, and that I am so interested in what I do means things come easily to me.If you start a business in something you are interested in, you must keep up with it and continue to do what you're interested in. This habit of continuing what you're interested in could be a significant factor behind your continued success!

Peter Reagan · Answer

Starting my day with a clear plan and setting priorities has been instrumental to my success as an entrepreneur. I create a roadmap for my day by outlining tasks and goals, allowing me to stay focused and productive. This practice ensures that I'm working on tasks that align with my business objectives and provides a sense of accomplishment as I check off each item. It's a simple yet effective approach that helps me maintain a sense of direction amidst the ever-changing demands of entrepreneurship. This habit empowers me to tackle challenges proactively and seize opportunities, ultimately driving my business forward while fostering a balanced work-life dynamic.

Bill Lyons · Answer

Earlier in my career as an entrepreneur, I cultivated an unwavering habit of strategic planning. This practice has evolved into an indispensable compass, guiding my every move. Given the dynamic and ever-developing business landscape, charting a clear course is paramount.Regularly analyzing market trends, evaluating competition, and aligning actions with long-term goals isn't merely routine; it's a mindset. Strategic planning empowers me to make informed decisions, anticipate challenges, and seize emerging opportunities. This habit transforms uncertainties into calculated risks and ideas into actionable steps. It ensures that my entrepreneurial path isn't just a series of reactions, but a proactive and purposeful journey toward sustainable growth. As long as I continually refine my strategies and adjust my course, I can overcome challenges, turn aspirations into milestones, and achieve my goals.

Carmen Reed-Gilkison · Answer

Without a doubt, the one habit that helps make me a successful entrepreneur is setting boundaries to protect my time and energy. As a business owner, you are your most valuable asset. It's too easy to get caught up in everything people say you "should" be doing at the expense of your energy. This will quickly lead to burnout.My business partner and I block off Monday and Friday of every week so we can have a focused time to get things done. Without this, we'd be trying to do our best work in between appointments, and that just doesn't cut it. Another thing we do is block off the fourth week of every month for the same reason. It doesn't mean we aren't working during those times, but nobody can get on our calendars without our express permission.Our boundaries may seem extreme, but they work so very well for us. We highly recommend developing boundaries around your schedule ‌that work for you so you can protect your time and energy.

Gilian Ortillan · Answer

Bookending my day has become a critical part of my productivity. I have a recurring calendar task near the end of the day to review all of my completed daily tasks and my lessons from them. I also do an internal pulse check to verify if I've overloaded or under-loaded my schedule that day.Bookending takes less than five minutes a day and keeps me accountable and aware of how effectively I'm spending my time. It pulls my head from being underwater too long and working overtime with no end in sight. This is a great habit to have, and I'd recommend it for maximizing productivity.

David Rubie-Todd · Answer

A crucial habit that contributes to success as an entrepreneur is the relentless pursuit of learning—no matter who you are, don't stop getting better. The business world, particularly in terms of digital marketing and AI, is a rapidly changing one. New trends and strategies continue to emerge at a blistering pace, and staying updated is no longer just an advantage, but a necessity. Staying updated with the latest developments in the industry, and not being afraid to actively seek out new information, is important. Attending conferences, joining social media groups, and making it a point to attend relevant events are beneficial. Being very active in the online space, reading up on different articles related to the field, and always looking for new strategies to implement are also helpful. If there's something new out there, no matter how small it is, finding out about it helps stay ahead of the curve with trends and keeps the business growing.

Stefan Campbell · Answer

The number one habit I developed was making a point of smiling at people and saying hello pleasantly. It may improve their day, but for certain, it improves mine. From that one habit, I developed the most useful skill which has helped me in every aspect of my life, and that is communicating with empathy.  Communicating with empathy allows you to really listen to what someone is saying, rather than listening the entire time, in order to reply. Real communication allows collaboration and empathy. It allows for the free exchange of ideas from diverse co-workers. It requires honesty in the exchange of ideas.Having empathy for people and making things in their day slightly nicer may seem like a small thing, but small things practiced in love can change the world.

Alfonso Colasuonno · Answer

Resilience is my "superpower" as an entrepreneur, and my experience as a writer played a profound role in shaping this unyielding quality.As a budding writer, I started out with a myriad of rejections—not once, not twice, but a staggering 24 times! Undeterred, I delved deep into understanding the intricate workings of the literary ecosystem. Through unwavering determination, I identified the reasons behind those initial setbacks and adapted.Drawing from this transformative lesson, I carried resilience into my entrepreneurial endeavors. Whenever faced with challenges, I refused to be disheartened. Instead, I approached setbacks with an analytical mindset, discerning the plausible reasons behind their occurrence, and adapting my approach while embracing the mantra that failure is a stepping stone to success. Resilience became my guiding light, propelling me to surmount obstacles, seize opportunities, and carve a path to entrepreneurial success.

Bernardo Castro · Answer

Every week, I sit down and evaluate what happened. I look at things that went well, decisions I made, and things that went badly. A key part of this habit is embracing my weaknesses. I look at everything that happened and identify where I did something poorly. The question I ask myself is, "Should I improve my skills, or should I outsource this task?" It is an important moment of stillness where I step aside from the hustle and bustle and look critically at what is happening. This habit ensures that I don't lose sight of the details of my business and that things don't fall through the cracks.As an entrepreneur, you feel you need to be doing everything. But sometimes, the best thing to do is get someone better than you to do certain things.

James Blackwell · Answer

When you put intention behind your actions, you might be surprised how much more fulfilled you feel. I have made it my mission to always put intention behind most of my decisions in my business, to ensure the decisions I make are more successful. Actually vocalizing my intentions helps me to understand them better, and it makes it easier to follow through on them. If I put intention behind creating new content for my social media platforms, I am much more likely to make content that is unique and true to my brand. This makes my content more likable, and I feel good about the posts I share.

Peter Lucas · Answer

In the dynamic industry of running a relocation company for 19 years, one thing that's been learned is that staying flexible and open-minded is crucial. This applies to most industries; there's usually no one-size-fits-all approach. So, whether it's adjusting to market trends, meeting clients' developing needs, or overcoming unforeseen challenges, being adaptable is a great way to stay ahead. Change is an opportunity to grow and improve services. By swiftly responding to shifts in the market and listening to feedback, top-notch solutions can be offered for clients' relocation needs. Prioritizing this has allowed me to maintain and ultimately thrive in the ever-changing world of relocation and, importantly, adapt to changing customer needs.

Phil McParlane · Answer

One habit that truly makes me a successful entrepreneur is mindfulness. Amidst the fast-paced world of business, taking a moment to be present and anchored in the here and now has been a game-changer for me. This habit has helped hone my focus, allowing me to stay focused on the task at hand while being able to make better decisions and manage stress effectively.In our recruitment platform for four-day workweek firms, mindfulness is at the core of everything we do. We encourage our team to practice mindfulness techniques like meditation and deep breathing, which help them maintain a healthy work-life balance while supporting employee well-being.Being mindful also extends to our interactions with clients and partners. By actively listening and being fully present during meetings, we build stronger relationships and better understand their needs. This has allowed us to tailor our services to meet their unique requirements, earning their trust and loyalty.

Chris Alarcon · Answer

Consistency has led me to make money online successfully. After eight years of consistent work, nothing worked. However, despite not knowing how I'd achieve my goal of building a successful business, I kept going. It wasn't easy, and I didn't always have the confidence I do now, but after taking much-needed breaks in my journey, I returned stronger each time. I needed to learn new skills consistently and surround myself with other peers to have the success I do now. Showing up daily to work towards your business goals is the recipe for success.

Tariro Goronga · Answer

Making connections with other entrepreneurs, potential customers, and partners is an invaluable way to grow a business. By attending local networking events, conferences, and seminars, one can gain insight into different industries and trends, build relationships with people in the community who can offer advice or assistance, and increase visibility for their business. Through this, they can also stay up-to-date on the latest technology and trends; they can serve their customers better and stay ahead of the competition. In short, networking is essential for entrepreneurs looking to succeed in their field.

Marc Bjerring · Answer

If I had to single out one habit that has completely transformed the results I see, it's focusing on what I can create over what I cannot control. It's all about directing your energy towards innovative solutions, instead of worrying or regretting any decisions. With this, I'm invariably in a positive mindset where I can create wholeheartedly and really push the boundaries. It's been an absolutely game-changing approach, empowering decision-making, and encouraging resilience in the face of uncertainty. Embracing the possibilities within my control allowed me to shape my entrepreneurial journey and navigate the ever-changing business landscape with determination and optimism.

Alex Bobes · Answer

In the realm of startups and business, maintaining an approach, whether it pertains to decision-making, daily routines, or communication, has been a fundamental aspect of my achievements. However, this doesn't imply being rigid or unyielding; instead, it involves establishing a foundation from which to operate. Every day, I allocate an amount of time to review my goals, evaluate the progress of projects, and ensure that my team shares our vision. By practicing this routine amidst the chaos and rapid changes that come with entrepreneurship, I can provide steady guidance to steer us forward effectively. Consistency fosters trust among stakeholders while cultivating an environment of accountability and ensuring resilience in the face of challenges.

Don Rees · Answer

You don't need to have a really complicated habit in order to be a more successful and productive person. Reading each evening allows me to unwind, and I tend to be less drawn to watching TV or using my phone. This wind-down time helps me sleep much better, which makes me feel much more refreshed the next day. Sleep is extremely important if you want to be a successful entrepreneur because a good sleep routine ensures your body and mind are well-rested. This gives you the energy to come up with creative ideas and solutions for your business, so finding a routine that allows you to get a good sleep is essential. For me, that means reading each evening before bed!

What Habits Do Successful Entrepreneurs Have?

Table of Contents

What Habits Do Successful Entrepreneurs Have?

90-Day Planning and Goal Setting

Prioritizing for Effective Decision-Making

Performing Daily Financial Check-Ups

Pursuing Passion-Driven Business

Starting Day With a Clear Plan

Strategic Planning for Business Navigation

Setting Boundaries to Protect Time

Bookending the Day for Accountability

Unrelenting Pursuit of Learning

Communicating With Empathy

Building Resilience in Entrepreneurship

Embracing Weaknesses and Weekly Evaluations

Adding Intentionality Behind Actions

Staying Flexible and Open-Minded

Practicing Mindfulness in Business

Working Consistently Leads to Success

Networking for Business Growth

Focusing On Creation Over Control

Maintaining a Solid Foundation

Evening Reading for Better Sleep

Submit Your Answer

Related Articles

Up Next