In a recent conversation with my Cashflow GPS advisor, we were talking about the time we spend doing different things throughout the week. We’ve been looking at my daily routines, the “must do” lists that move my business and me forward, and the “why am I doing this?” tasks that aren’t productive – and not making me money – or could be done more efficiently; or better yet, done by someone else.
Daily routine
One of the routines that I consider a “must do” is how I start each day.
Disclaimer: you may or may not find this the best use of your time, and you may or may not agree with my habits, but they’re mine and they work for me. I am a professional. Please, don’t try this at home; or do, it’s your choice.
It starts at 5:00 a.m., usually a few minutes before that when my body clock goes off before my alarm does. Darn, I could have used those extra three minutes! To make sure I don’t go back to sleep, even for those few minutes, I use Mel Robbins “5 Second Rule” and put my feet on the floor. If you haven’t read her book or watched her videos on the subject, do! It’s for more than just waking up in the morning.
Because I live just a few miles from NASA and Kennedy Space Center on the east coast of central Florida, and with the growth of our commercial space program, “5-4-3-2-1, Liftoff!” is something we hear almost every week. When the countdown hits “5,” those powerful rockets fire and there’s no turning back; that candle is lit and it’s heading skyward.
Take action
So, it’s easy for me to equate Mel’s rule to taking action, with no turning back. Once up, it’s straight to the coffee machine for a cup that started brewing a few minutes before I awoke.
Here’s where a lot of people say they use this time for thoughtful reflection on their day, meditation, planning or writing. Not me. I turn on the news to check the weather forecast and see what’s happening in my community and around the world (I like to be informed); jump on Facebook, not to read posts but to write best wishes to each friend who has a birthday that day; and then I hit the gym.
Total focus
The gym is my place for total focus, and with very few exceptions I’m there seven days a week. I’ve been doing this for years and it’s an ingrained habit. The last few years, I’ve been training as a bodybuilder, strategically lifting heavy weights and doing the requisite cardio to keep body fat to a minimum (note: I don’t like cardio but it’s a necessary evil – and boring!) When I’m done, I may be exhausted but I’m also feeling exhilarated! I back that up with a healthy diet.
I’ll admit there are some days when I don’t feel like going when an extra hour of sleep would be so welcome, but I know the consequences. Not being in the gym would mean disrupting my daily routine, leaving me feeling sluggish and like I’m desperately missing something. Taking time to plan my day, read or watch motivational or educational material, meditation and beginning my work only starts after this routine is complete.
Shouldn’t this apply to my business cash flow?
So, the question arose: if I’m fanatical about my morning routine and can see the positive results of my daily routine over time, why am I not as fanatical about doing the things throughout my day that can, over the same time, dramatically improve the cash flow of my business?
The answer, to me: I like weightlifting and bodybuilding. It gives me physical strength and with it, a pretty good physique. I’ve taken control of how I feel and look and that translates into confidence in my abilities to achieve goals and objectives in other areas of my life.
It would follow, then, if each day I were to incorporate repeated, quality activities that would increase my productivity, build my client list, add streams of income, and learn to become a smart investor, over a period of time I could see an increase in cash flow. So why wasn’t I putting as much effort into these as I put into my workouts?
My approach
The reason was my approach. I didn’t look at my work activity in the same light; didn’t see that gains may not be noticeable when the action was taken, but if done repeatedly, with the same intensity I put into that time at the gym each morning, soon I’d see changes in my financial position.
Here’s how I’m changing. As I make my schedule for the day, I look at each task as a business-building set, strengthening a different part of my corporation. I also see how doing those “sets” repeatedly will give me a stronger business and the same feeling of accomplishment I have when I leave the gym as the sun rises.
Strengthening body, mind, and business
The result? My days are now focused on strengthening body, mind, and business. From the time I wake up until I head to bed, I’m seeing each thing I do as something that will get me to my goals: a strong, fit body, a thriving business, financial independence, and the ability to do the things I want because I’m doing the things I must.
And just like some body parts need extra work for overall fit appearance – you can read my article on “PR and Marketing, and Chicken Legs” – so must I address those areas in business where I’m weakest, making them stronger through the coaching my Cash Flow Advisor is providing. He is giving me the exercises I need to do that will grow my business, grow my income and “pump up” my wealth.
Where are you strong and where do you need to grow stronger to reach your financial goals? Countdown, “5,4,3,2,1” get out of bed and launch yourself into the success-o-sphere!
And get to the gym or do some type of exercise regularly. It really is good for you!
Geo Ropert, APR is the president of Ropert and Partners Public Relations – Marketing Communications. His firm is providing strategic public relations services to CashFlow GPS. Geo is participating in our program to gain an in-depth understanding of how cash flow can be improved. He is writing these blogs based on his personal experiences and for the benefit of those looking to “get free and stay free!”
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