When it comes to the characteristics of successful business owners, terms like hardworking, motivated and driven may come to mind. However, while these traits are important, some habits of successful business owners are a little less obvious. A strong work ethic isn’t the only key to success. They way business owners go about their daily routines is also crucial. Here a few of the habits of successful business owners that you may have never considered.

They Get Up Early

Whether or not you’re a morning person, getting yourself up and ready to work well before your regular business hours begin will be beneficial. You may not be in the office at 6 a.m. — and neither are your clients, so that’s OK — but it’s important to take time in the morning to prepare for your day. Whether you sit down with a cup of coffee and read a newspaper front to back, look over your Google calendar to mentally prepare for each part of your day, exercise, meditate or whatever else — make a habit out of getting up early. It’s possible that this will be the only time you get to yourself all day, so take advantage of the peace and quiet.

They Make Decisions

We hear all the time how important it is to be proactive rather than reactive, and there’s good reason for that. Successful business owners are those who think proactively. Consider the challenges and changes ahead and make decisions to counteract or prepare for them. Do not dwell. While some of us thrive under pressure, waiting until the last possible minute to make a decision will rarely work in your favor. A good business owner is able to discern the important from the less important and make quick, yet educated decisions that will benefit their business.

They Get Out of the Office

If you own a small business, you might rarely see the light of day. Your office or shop may feel more like home than your actual place of residence. While the extra hours might be necessary at times, it’s important to set aside time for yourself. Go to the gym, get a haircut, make a healthy home-cooked meal. Your clients and employees will thank you for keeping up with yourself. When the entire day absolutely must be spent on work, take it outside. Grab a coffee with a client, make a phone call while on a walk and be sure to take your lunch break outside of the office.

Learn More About Running A Successful Business!

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