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Tried & True Daily Habits to Get on the Path to Success

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daily-habits

In some way, shape or form, our daily lives are all a part of our path to success, no matter what that is defined as. Whether it be to meet a sales goal or to start a business, to buy a house or to travel the world, it’s human nature to set goals and want to achieve them.

Society today drives us harder than ever before. In our constantly connected world, it can be even more difficult to find the focus to achieve our goals. It takes discipline, passion, commitment and a burning desire to succeed.

If your view of success is anything like ours, these five tried and true daily habits will help you to stay on the path to reaching your goals.

Plan your day.

Take five minutes at the end of the day to create an action plan for tomorrow. Start by making two lists: one of your high priority projects and another of your meetings and other commitments. Next, combine the two to create a schedule. Sitting down to work the following morning will feel less dreadful when you have a plan already in place.

Shut down distractions.

We live in a very connected world, one in which it can be difficult to not constantly feel like we’re being pulled in five different directions. Make it a habit to put your phone on silent, only check emails once an hour at a designated time, and block social media sites during scheduled work hours (Cold Turkey is a great tool for this).

Though less obvious, but perhaps even more important, don’t get distracted by other people’s journeys. It is important to realize that your journey is unique. You cannot compare another’s success to yours.

Stay in the know.

Begin your mornings browsing through your industry news. Grab your cup of coffee and bookmark a few well-known websites that are relevant within your industry. It never hurts to stay on top of what is happening, and you never know when that knowledge can come in handy.

Network.

This makes for a nice midday break. Spend 15 minutes before or after lunch networking on LinkedIn or writing an email to an old colleague. Connections are so important; you always want to be maintaining old ones and building new ones. This goes for face-to-face networking as well. Attend a seminar, join a group, or grab coffee with a co-worker. Aim for once a week face-to-face networking, and you’ll never be happier you did.

Make health a priority.

Your health and well-being affect every area of your life. Make time for workouts, pack a healthy lunch, drink plenty of water throughout the day, and get enough sleep. A workaholic is far less productive than a smart worker. YOU are a priority, so be sure to prioritize YOU.

Success is a big deal, no matter what kind of success you are seeking. It’s important to remember that, without all the little days in between, you wouldn’t be able to achieve the big picture, so make the most of them.

What daily habits help keep you on track to reaching your goals? Tweet us @RigsbySearch!

Tis the Season to Step Up Your Game: How to End the Year on a Positive Note

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work-holidays

December. The month of holiday cheer, endless celebrations … and a serious lack of motivation in the workplace. It seems as soon as December hits, many people slowly begin to fade into vacation mode, working fewer hours, staying out later at night, losing sleep, and falling short in productivity. Whether it’s the joy and excitement of the season or the stress of the chaos, if you’re struggling to find the effort to put into your workday, you’re not alone.

We believe in ending the year strong, and though it may be easier said than done, there are many rhymes and reasons why stepping up your game in December will make for a more enjoyable holiday season and a more profitable New Year. Here are our tried and true tips.

  1. Don’t escape. Many people will check out of work early to get ready for an evening event, or take a Friday off to conquer the mall. As much as you’re tempted, don’t. By sticking to a normal work schedule, productivity will come easier. And when 5pm rolls around, it will feel all the more rewarding knowing that you put in a full workday.
  2. Make a list and stay on pace. December is filled with busy schedules and exciting events, all of which make for easy distractions. At the beginning of each day, take a few minutes to create a list of the tasks you need to finish before 5pm. List them in order of importance, with the largest projects at the top. When you finish a task, check it off, and take a five-minute break. You’ll come back to your desk with a refreshed mind, a feeling of confidence, and one less thing to do.
  3. Prepare and prioritize. No one wants to spend their holiday vacation dreaming of looming deadlines. If you have a project due at the beginning of January, accomplish it before you leave the office for the holidays. Not only will it make your return in the New Year less stressful, it will allow you to truly unplug from work and enjoy your time away.
  4. Set boundaries. When you’re at work, work. When you’re at home celebrating the holidays with your family, do just that. Converse and laugh, eat and drink. By making sure work gets done during those set hours, the more you can be fully present in the other areas of life.
  5. Check out when it’s time. When it comes time to wrap things up and head out for the holiday, do so properly. Let the people in your network know you will be out of the office, and give them a back-up way to contact you if needed. Make sure all loose ends are tied up, and finally, clean and organize your desk so you have a blank slate to come back to in January. After all, the New Year is all about a fresh start.

So, as much as we all love the anticipation and joy that December brings, by continuing to go strong at work all the way until the final hour, you win the game before it even begins.