Small, daily habits act as building blocks in creating a disciplined and focused mindset and can improve creativity
In a global, digitalized world, complexity is a challenge for business leaders who face an overload of stimuli from multiple channels that impact productivity and innovation. Business leaders are often burdened with responsibilities that sap their energy and make it difficult to perform at their best. This affects drive, creativity and resilience. What is needed is a simple solution that is easy to understand and can be put into practice with consistency and discipline. It is here that small daily habits can come into play.
The power of small
By definition, habits are actions that we perform automatically or with little effort as a result of regular repetition. Habits are the small actions we take every day, almost without thinking, actions that become second nature to us. These range from the first thing we do in the morning to how we unwind in the evening. While big habits get a lot of attention, it's the small, everyday habits that determine a leader's effectiveness. Just as small investments yield big returns, small habits create exponential results.
I paraphrase the words of James Clear Atomic habitsSmall habits can make a meaningful difference, and everything that has meaning is not small but important. This means that daily habits are the key to unlocking leadership potential and sustaining long-term success. By recognizing the transformative power of daily routines, leaders can cultivate a reservoir of energy and resilience to thrive in the face of challenges and create meaningful change.
Small habits can transform a leader's energy, focus and resilience. For example, a simple habit like starting the day with some time to strategically plan instead of wading through your email inbox can set a positive tone for the day. Likewise, taking short breaks to stretch or walk around throughout the day can help you feel active, both physically and mentally, even in the post-lunch period. These habits may seem unimportant on their own, but together small habits act as building blocks in creating a disciplined and focused mindset.
Learning habits
It is our habits that largely make us who we are and influence how people perceive us. However, changing or adopting new habits is not easy. Studies over the years have shown that while people are open to new experiences in childhood, they become resistant to change as they grow older. We may love something new, but we find it difficult to make fundamental changes to our routines. As leaders, the challenge increases. Our agendas are packed and the responsibilities are heavy. Trying to fit into something new can feel like moving a mountain. The real test is getting out of our comfort zone and overcoming the initial resistance to incorporating even small habits into our daily schedule. Overcoming this resistance is essential for leaders who want to stay ahead and maintain their energy and creativity.
Forming new habits is not impossible, but requires more effort. Self-awareness helps, as does starting small. Don't rush to overhaul your entire routine at once! Instead, focus on one small habit that you want to change or adopt. This could be anything from spending the first hour of the morning planning your day, to taking five minutes every evening to reflect on what went well and what didn't. Consistency is key; the more you repeat a behavior, the more it naturally becomes part of your routine. The goal should be incremental improvement, not an overnight transformation.
Using technology to stay on track
Integrating habits into your daily program requires consistency and patience. To ensure you stick to your new habits, responsibility is key. This could mean tracking your progress, setting reminders, or even sharing your goals with a colleague or mentor who can monitor your progress. The idea is to make these habits a non-negotiable part of your day, something as routine as brushing your teeth.
Technology can be a powerful ally in embedding new habits into your daily routine and encouraging you to stick with them over the long term. In today's digital age, there are countless apps and tools designed to help you track and maintain habits. Online calendars for a daily routine with reminders, and apps that track nutrition, track sleep patterns, or provide hydration reminders are helpful. Apps to promote mindfulness ensure you take time to reflect every day, and fitness trackers monitor physical activity. Even a simple app that lets you create and maintain a to-do list to keep your tasks under control can be a game changer.
The impact of small daily habits has a ripple effect that goes beyond leadership effectiveness and onto personal well-being. It keeps you physically fit, mentally sharp and emotionally resilient. As a leader, you will be better equipped to inspire and lead your teams, drive innovation, and guide companies through both known and unknown challenges. Small daily habits can be powerful catalysts for change, transforming your leadership energy into an unstoppable force!
Mayank Kumar is the co-founder and director of upGrad.