You might be surprised to learn that many successful professionals follow the same patterns and make similar lifestyle choices. With their busy schedules, top achievers generally prefer to have a set routine that works for them, as it allows them to fit most of their activities into their daily schedules.

Read on to discover the top 5 things top performers do in their everyday routines, and how you can adjust your schedule to fit these things into your routine, too.

 

1 – They have a morning routine:

Oprah Winfrey tells Huffington Post that she enjoys her 20 minutes of silence in the morning to meditate and do early-morning yoga. This way, she gets to ease into her day, allowing her to have complete control over her mood and productivity throughout the day.

Here is what you can do:

Whether you start your day with meditation, exercise, or a cup of coffee, make sure you have some alone time in the morning before facing the chaotic world.

 

2 – They do the most important work first:

Research suggests that the most productive time to work is within the first two hours after you wake up. This is why most top performers tackle their big projects first thing in the morning.

Here is what you can do:

Plan your schedule in advance, and make it a habit to schedule your most important tasks for early in the morning.

 

3 – They embrace teamwork:

Teamwork is important if you want to succeed in today’s world. Google, the internet company, conducted a study in which they concluded that “how teams work together is more important than who is on a team.”[Source]

Here is what you can do:

Do not try to tackle everything on your own! Be willing to accept other ideas and work with other people. If you would like to improve your teamwork skills, you can start by e-mailing your team members and requesting feedback on various projects, so that you can start encouraging them to share more ideas. Not only will you build trust amongst your team members, but by including them in this way, you will give them a sense of assurance and value within the company or team.

Also, find out why teamwork and other soft skills are more important than ever in the workplace.

 

4 – They keep all their deadlines in one place:

Top performers in the business world have noted the importance of documenting all of their deadlines and meetings in one place.  This way, they are able to save time and keep track of their schedules and priorities at a glance.

Here is what you can do:

Whether you prefer to use your phone, laptop, calendar, or diary: make sure you use one device to document all your important dates and deadlines, and that you keep it on you throughout the day.

 

5 – They find the time to unwind:

Tony Schwartz, founder and CEO of The Energy Project and best-selling author, wrote in The New York Times that if you do not find the time to relax, it will lead to less productivity, and it will eventually burn you out.

 

Here is what you can do:

A good place to start would be to decide what you would like to achieve by the end of each day, and plan towards it. Make a list of all the important things that you would like to get through, and allow for meetings and admin work in between. Managing your time in this way will enable you to complete all your work and have time to unwind each day.

 

If this article has inspired you to reshuffle your schedule so that you can perform at your best throughout the day, and if you would like to adopt a more positive approach to life, then you will enjoy reading our blog posts on a weekly basis.

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Note: This article was originally published on 1 August 2016, and has been updated for clarity and accuracy.