Here are nine impactful changes these leaders made in their daily lives after becoming entrepreneurs

When you first became an entrepreneur, what was one change you made in your daily routine that helped you become a more efficient and effective professional? Why is this a key change?

These answers are provided by the Young Entrepreneur Council (YEC), an invitation-only organization of the world’s most successful young entrepreneurs. YEC members represent nearly every industry, generate billions of dollars in revenue each year, and create tens of thousands of jobs. Learn more at yec.co.

1. I have blocked my work list

When I became an entrepreneur, I started keeping a to-do list and blocking out time to plan my day. This method allowed me to know what I needed to accomplish in the timeline. As a result, I find it easier to work on complex projects, attend meetings, and stay on top of things like emails and invoices.

– John Turner, SeedProd LLC

2. I listened to inspirational stories.

A change I have made to my daily routine is to start the day with an inspirational story from another entrepreneur. They were always short, concise stories, but it helped to know what others had been through. I also learned some habits through these success stories and started implementing them a little at a time. This has changed my perspective and how I do things. It made me more productive.

– Baruch Labunsky, Safe level

3. I used a task management system

One change I made to my routine that helped me become more efficient and productive was to start using a task management system. I started using a tool to track my tasks and deadlines, prioritize and make my time more productive. This has helped me stay organized and focus on the most important tasks and not get bogged down by less important or less urgent tasks.

– Work Mamun, CANSOFT

4. I tracked my daily progress

One change I made to my daily routine was that I started tracking my progress daily. This has helped me become a more efficient and effective professional as I strive to do better than yesterday. This was a key change because it helped me reflect on my mistakes and improve by exploring new ways to maximize my effectiveness.

– Stephanie Wells, Strong forms

5. I woke up early

One change I made to my daily routine was waking up earlier. As a night owl, I had to adjust my schedule to be available during regular business hours to meet with freelancers, vendors, and partners. By waking up early, I was able to make the most of the morning and set the tone for a productive day ahead. This also makes scheduling meetings much easier.

– Andrew Saladin, Kings of the kitchen cabinet

6. I meditated.

One change I made to my daily routine was that I started meditating before starting my day. This has helped me improve my focus and start my day with a positive mindset. As an aspiring entrepreneur, it’s normal to experience setbacks or have moments of self-doubt. Meditation has helped me block out all negative thoughts and gain clarity, allowing me to move the needle against all odds.

– Jared Atchison, WPForms

7. I prioritized tasks the night before

If there’s one routine that’s had a big impact, it’s writing down and prioritizing tasks every night. I find it better to write down and prioritize all the tasks for the next day so that you can maintain maximum productivity without going to bed with hundreds of worries and plans for the day and struggling to stay awake every morning, confused and stressed. went out.

– Vikas Agrawal, Infobranch

8. I focus on efficiency

I created a routine that helped me be more efficient and productive. This includes setting specific goals for each day, breaking tasks into smaller chunks, and taking regular breaks throughout the day. Additionally, I started prioritizing my time by focusing on the most important tasks first and passing on the less important ones.

– Christine Kimberly Marquette, Marquet Media, LLC

9. I pay attention to my calendar

I started paying attention to my calendar. When you first start out on your own, you may come from a very calendar-forward agency or structure. This can burn us; However, more freedom comes from using your calendar wisely, not hacking it. To be a successful entrepreneur, you need to be intentional with your time to experience more freedom. Calendars help!

– Matthew Kapala, Alphabet