The Hustle founder and My First Million co-host Sam Parr posed an interesting question this week on Twitter regarding routines.
Here’s the Tweet:
This got me thinking. When you work for a company, your routine is pretty fixed i.e you show up for your 9-5 whether that’s at the office or at home. But when you’re freelancing or doing business yourself, YOU have to set your own schedule.
Here’s mine:
Weekday routine this summer:
- morning walk
- breakfast (outside)
- work
- lunch (outside)
- work
- gym
- dinner (outside)
- 1 hour of whatever YouTube auto recommends before bed
Tips to stay sane
The most important person in a startup is yourself - you can’t start or continue building unless you’re sane both mentally and physically.
Let’s expand on my above Tweet on what helps me and why I think it could help you too.
Morning Walks - As I mentioned above, the first thing I do in the morning is go for a walk. Doing regular physical activity to maintain a healthy weight, strengthen your cardiovascular system, and boost your mood.
Eating (right) - Eating regular and good quality meals again sounds obvious but is easy to slip up on. I tend to eat 3 to 4 meals at normal intervals, usually protein and carbs, as lean as possible. Snacking is allowed in between.
Gym - I try to workout 4-5 times as week. Not regliously but I do feel lifting weights and dong stretching really helps my body fight against the countless hours being desk bound.
Leisure time - A big mistake I think startup people make is they work until they can’t work no more. I prefer to allow myself some free time every day; to think, play and take in whatever the world throws at me online or offline.
Sleep - Get an adequate amount of quality sleep each night. Most adults require 7-9 hours of sleep for optimal functioning. Establish a consistent sleep schedule, create a comfortable sleep environment..I try to sleep at least 8 hours a day!
Bottom line
Remember that making gradual changes and adopting sustainable habits is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It's also important to listen to your body, respect its limits, and equally important, making time for fun.
What’s your entrepreneurial routine?”