What Personal Habits Contribute to Success?
Unlock the secrets to entrepreneurial success by exploring personal habits that drive business owners to thrive. Featuring insights from Founders and CEOs, this blog post provides valuable perspectives on the daily practices that make a difference. Discover why committing to daily reflection can set the tone for a successful day and how a strong commitment to client communication can sustain long-term success. Gain wisdom from a total of fifteen insights shared by industry leaders.
- Commit to Daily Reflection
- Block Morning Hour for Planning
- Embrace Lifelong Learning
- Set Aside Time to Learn
- Embrace Being a Beginner
- Consistent Goal-Setting and Reflection
- Reflect and Set Goals Daily
- Prioritize Customer Feedback
- Daily Customer Pulse Check
- Focus on Process Improvement
- Consistency in Customer Service
- Weekly Uninterrupted Planning Time
- Commit to Lifelong Learning
- Focus on One Thing Daily
- Strong Commitment to Client Communication
Commit to Daily Reflection
The Power of Daily Reflection in Business Leadership
As the founder of a legal-process outsourcing company, one personal habit that significantly contributes to my success is my commitment to daily reflection.
Every evening, I take time to review my day, assessing what went well and identifying areas for improvement. This practice has become invaluable, especially during challenging periods when I needed to pivot quickly in response to client needs or market changes.
For instance, after a particularly demanding week managing client expectations, I reflected on my communication strategies and realized that I could enhance transparency by sharing more frequent updates with our clients. Implementing this change not only improved client satisfaction but also strengthened our relationships.
This habit of reflection keeps me grounded, allows me to learn from my experiences, and helps me stay aligned with my business goals, ultimately fostering continuous growth for both myself and my company.
Block Morning Hour for Planning
As a luxury-watch business owner, my daily habit of blocking out one hour each morning for focused planning has changed my entire game. I read through customer inquiries, map out priorities, and plan my meetings during this quiet time—no phone calls, no emails, just pure focus. The results speak for themselves: my conversion rates went up 35% after I started doing this.
Running MioJewelry taught me that small-business success comes down to consistent routines. My morning planning ritual helps me stay ahead of industry trends and keeps me on track with inventory management for our Rolex and Patek Philippe collections. A Stanford study found that business owners who practice dedicated planning are 42% more likely to achieve their quarterly goals, and I've seen this play out in my own business.
Money expert Dave Ramsey backs up the importance of morning routines for entrepreneurs, and after 13 years in the luxury-watch business, I couldn't agree more. Setting aside that first hour lets me think about big-picture strategy instead of getting stuck in day-to-day tasks. My advice? Pick one hour, stick to it, and watch your business grow. Start small—even 30 minutes will help you get ahead of the day instead of letting the day run you.
Embrace Lifelong Learning
My dedication to lifelong learning is one personal habit that contributes significantly to my success as a business owner. Embracing new information and continuously expanding my knowledge base has been a cornerstone of my career.
I remain informed and agile in my approach by attending seminars, engaging with mentors, and exploring the latest trends in cognitive science and psychology. This commitment empowers me to adapt to the ever-evolving legal landscape and make well-informed decisions that benefit my clients and my firm. Ultimately, my passion for growth fuels my success as a small-business owner.
Set Aside Time to Learn
A key personal habit I believe contributes to my success as a business owner is consistently setting aside dedicated time to learn and develop. In the fast-paced environment of a small business, it's all too easy to get consumed by daily tasks and overlook personal and business growth. To stay intentional, I regularly block out time away from the usual workspace, sometimes booking a day at a new co-working space or even treating myself to a day at the spa. These breaks allow me to step back, gain perspective, and strategize about the next steps for my business. This habit helps me stay ahead and maintain a clear vision for growth.
Embrace Being a Beginner
As a small-business owner, one personal habit that has contributed significantly to my success is embracing the discomfort of being a beginner. My name is Taylor Riley, founder of Boom Facility Service Advisors and co-owner of Impact Cleaning Professionals, and I've learned that entrepreneurship is a challenging journey filled with complex obstacles. Throughout my experience, I've faced moments where I doubted myself, thinking, "I can't do it," or "I'm not talented enough." However, what sets successful entrepreneurs apart is their ability to fail without giving up.
I've discovered that each stage of business growth brings new challenges, and with that comes the need to learn and adapt. It's essential to be comfortable being bad at something and to accept that growth requires pushing through those initial failures. Many people quit before they reap the rewards of their hard work, but the reality is that you have everything you need to succeed; you just have to be willing to face new challenges head-on. Every success leads to new situations where you're not the master of your craft anymore, and it's that willingness to embrace being a novice that truly propels your journey forward. My advice for aspiring founders is to get comfortable with not being good at everything; it's a critical mindset that helps you tackle the inevitable hurdles on the path to success.
About the Author:
Taylor Riley is a husband, father, and dedicated entrepreneur. He co-founded a cleaning business, gaining experience in best practices for residential and commercial cleaning, business management, and digital marketing. Taylor also founded Boom Facility Service Advisors, where he provides consultation and training for cleaning business owners looking to start or grow their businesses. He's a member of the Building Service Contractors Association International and has been featured in publications like Entrepreneur, Forbes, Clean Biz Network, Route, and Swept.
(Preferred Citation) https://boomfsa.com/commercial-cleaning-calculator/
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/taylor-riley-cfps-a10a30115
Consistent Goal-Setting and Reflection
One personal habit that I believe has contributed significantly to my success as a business owner is consistent goal-setting and reflection. Every week, I take time to set clear, achievable goals for the business and then review the past week's outcomes. This practice keeps me focused on what's most important for growth and helps me identify areas where we can improve or adjust our approach.
By setting specific, measurable goals, I can track our progress and make informed decisions rather than getting caught up in day-to-day distractions. Reflection also gives me the chance to assess what's working and what isn't, allowing me to adapt quickly and maintain momentum. This habit has helped me stay focused on the bigger picture while ensuring that each small step aligns with the firm's long-term vision, ultimately driving sustained growth and success.
Reflect and Set Goals Daily
Maintaining a daily routine of reflection and goal-setting.
Each morning, I set aside time to review my short-term and long-term goals and reflect on the previous day's accomplishments and challenges.
This practice has allowed me to stay focused and directed amidst the whirlwind of daily operations. I ensure that each day's efforts are purposeful by consistently assessing my progress and realigning my actions with my overarching business vision.
Reflection transforms experiences into valuable lessons, while goal-setting keeps the future bright and attainable. As a CEO, this habit empowers me to lead clearly and inspires my team to align with our collective mission.
Prioritize Customer Feedback
A personal habit that has been vital to my success as a florist is prioritizing customer feedback. After every major event or order, I make it a point to personally reach out to clients and ask for their thoughts—what they loved and if there's anything we could improve. This habit not only strengthens customer relationships but also provides valuable insights into how we can continually refine our service.
This feedback loop has helped us evolve as a business. By actively listening to what clients want, we've been able to adapt our offerings, from adding new floral varieties to improving our delivery service. It also builds trust with customers, as they feel heard and valued, which in turn encourages repeat business.
Consistently seeking feedback and using it to make improvements has been key to maintaining the quality and growth of the business. It's a simple habit, but it keeps us in tune with our customers' needs and keeps us improving.
Daily Customer Pulse Check
One thing that has really helped me as an e-commerce entrepreneur is something I call a 'Customer Pulse Check.' Every day, I dedicate around 20 minutes to connecting with our customers, whether it's answering their questions, reading reviews, or checking social media to see what they're saying about our products. This allows me to go beyond the data and really understand their experiences, which is often more insightful. I remember noticing several comments about our packaging being wasteful, and that led us to switch to eco-friendly options. The switch didn't just improve our brand image but also strengthened our connection with customers who value sustainability.
I plan to keep this habit going because it gives me a fresh perspective on what really matters to our customers. Engaging with them daily helps me stay in touch with their needs and ideas, which often sparks new directions for our products or marketing strategies. It's easy to get caught up in the numbers, but these personal connections serve as a reminder of who we are truly serving. By staying close to the feedback, I can address small concerns before they grow into larger problems. Plus, it keeps me energized and aligned with the core of our business, which is all about making sure our customers feel heard and valued.
Focus on Process Improvement
One personal habit that has significantly contributed to my success as a business owner is relentless focus on process improvement. At The Holistics Company, I've seen how streamlining processes can unblock revenue growth for small and mid-sized businesses. For example, a client of mine was struggling with delays in project completion, and by implementing a structured process-management system, they increased their project turnaround by 30%.
I also prioritize staying informed about the latest technological advancements. At Strange Insurance Agency, we harness financial technology to provide speedy and efficient service, connecting clients with over 30 insurance companies. This tech-savvy approach has not only improved our customer service but also contributed to a 15% increase in client satisfaction ratings over the past year.
Emphasizing networking and community involvement is another key habit. By partnering with local non-profits and participating in business-network groups, I've been able to forge valuable connections. This community engagement not only helps drive business development but also fosters a sense of purpose and contribution, further motivating my teams and me to achieve our goals.
Consistency in Customer Service
A key personal habit that I believe has significantly contributed to my success is consistency, especially when it comes to customer service. From my early years in the industry working alongside my father to becoming a certified arborist and building Ponce Tree Services, I've seen how a consistent, personalized approach keeps clients coming back. For example, I make it a point to personally follow up with clients after major projects. This could be something as simple as a call to ensure they're pleased with the work or even a scheduled site visit to inspect how the trees are adjusting post-service. This level of follow-through isn't just about closing a job; it shows clients that we're invested in the long-term health of their trees and their satisfaction with our work. Over time, this approach has turned one-time jobs into ongoing relationships and led to a steady flow of word-of-mouth referrals.
The years I've spent in the tree-service industry and my certifications, such as TRAQ, give me the expertise to back up these personal interactions with genuine knowledge and trustworthy service. Customers feel comfortable knowing their trees are in the hands of a trained professional who isn't just in it for the quick win. Being consistent in both the quality of our work and how we communicate with clients has been a defining habit of my career and one that has allowed Ponce Tree Services to thrive in a competitive field for over two decades.
Weekly Uninterrupted Planning Time
Hi,
One personal habit that contributes to my success is setting aside time every week for uninterrupted planning. Every Friday, I block 30 minutes to review the week's progress, assess what worked and what didn't, and map out priorities for the following week. This gives me clarity on where to focus my energy and helps prevent tasks from slipping through the cracks.
It's easy to get caught up in daily operations, but without intentional planning, small issues can compound. This habit keeps me aligned with my long-term goals and ensures that urgent tasks don't overshadow important ones. It also helps me delegate more effectively, giving my team clear direction and avoiding last-minute surprises.
Best,
Ben
Commit to Lifelong Learning
One personal habit I credit for my success as a business owner is the commitment to lifelong learning. The field of physiotherapy and wellness is constantly evolving, and staying updated with the latest research, treatment techniques, and patient care practices has been vital to both my professional growth and the success of The Alignment Studio. For instance, in my early years as a physio, I took time each week to study new developments in musculoskeletal health, which helped me build a solid, research-based foundation. Today, that habit has only strengthened, as I regularly pursue professional development courses and stay informed on advancements in areas like postural health and rehabilitation. This dedication to learning has enabled me to provide the best possible care to clients and empower my team to do the same.
A specific example of how this habit benefited my business is when I identified a gap in patient recovery related to posture and integrated Pilates into our services. During my years of practice, I'd observed that clients who received traditional physio treatment often saw temporary relief but struggled with recurring pain due to poor posture or weak core stability. With additional training in clinical Pilates, I introduced it as part of our recovery programs. Not only did our clients' outcomes improve, but this integrated approach also set us apart in Melbourne's wellness landscape, transforming The Alignment Studio into a trusted multidisciplinary clinic. This success was built on a commitment to learning, and it's a habit I encourage all aspiring business owners to embrace.
Focus on One Thing Daily
Focusing on one thing without interruption is how you get meaningful work done. Still, it is so easy to get carried away by "busy work" for weeks.
Here is what I do:
- Set a monthly goal
- Block a few hours every day in your calendar to work on it (for example, every morning from 8-10)
- Let people know you are unavailable
- Hide (go sit somewhere where you can't be disturbed)
- Block social media, email, and Slack
- Leave your phone in another room
- Just focus on getting closer to your goal
It's only by protecting your time like that, that it is possible to make progress on bigger things instead of getting caught up in meetings, emails, people management, and putting out fires.
Strong Commitment to Client Communication
One habit I swear by is maintaining a strong commitment to communication with my clients. Over my 15 years in gardening and landscaping, I've learned that effective communication is foundational to building trust and ensuring clients are truly satisfied. When I started Ozzie Mowing & Gardening, I made it a point to never assume what the client wants, even if it seems obvious from experience. Instead, I ask detailed questions about their vision, maintenance preferences, and any specific concerns about their garden. For example, a few years back, I had a client who wanted a drought-resistant garden but was worried it might lack color. Because I took the time to discuss her concerns and expectations in detail, I could recommend vibrant, low-water plants that transformed her space without needing frequent upkeep. This level of communication not only led to a beautiful garden but also to a loyal client who appreciated that her needs were listened to and met.
My qualifications as a certified horticulturist also play a big role in this habit, as they enable me to guide clients confidently. I'm able to explain the reasoning behind certain plant selections or maintenance techniques, which adds a layer of trust. I can recall several times when clients have been pleasantly surprised at the plant varieties or design choices I suggested, often because they hadn't realized these options existed. This openness in communication, backed by technical expertise, has contributed to my reputation for customer service and allowed me to build lasting relationships with clients who value a transparent and personalized approach.
