5 tips to make today AWESOME

It all started with a single article in Men’s Health magazine back in 2000. Now, I get to help millions of people all over the world.

And the same system I use to help people also helped me overcome crippling anxiety attacks, build multiple 7-figure businesses, and write a book.

I revealed the system in this free interview

The system includes the following five tips…

Tip #1 – You must do better planning & preparation.

Having a plan could mean you have a designated time when you check your emails, rather than reading them as they come in and becoming side-tracked. Or setting rules for how people get in contact with you, and restricting the length of a meeting.

Mastering this is like having a secret weapon at your disposal. It empowers you to be proactive rather than reactive, allowing you to steer your day rather than being steered by it.

Begin with a well-defined morning routine. This sets the tone for the rest of your day. Your routine could include activities like reading, meditation, exercise, or journaling. Choose activities that energize you and align with your goals. And yes, do make time for a healthy breakfast – remember, you’re fueling your body for a productive day ahead.

Next, prioritize your tasks. Not all tasks are created equal. Use the 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto Principle, which states that 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. Identify those high-impact tasks – the ones that directly contribute to your goals – and make them a priority. This is where your focus should be.

Plan your day in blocks of time – this technique is known as time-blocking. Allocate specific time blocks for different activities. For example, reserve a block for deep work – tasks that require your full attention and focus. Schedule another block for administrative tasks and yet another for learning and personal development. This keeps your day structured and ensures you’re spending your time wisely.

Remember to schedule breaks. Our brains aren’t designed to maintain high levels of focus for long periods. Taking regular short breaks can actually boost your productivity and creativity. So, schedule short 5-10 minute breaks for every hour of focused work.

Lastly, prepare for the unexpected. Despite our best planning, life has a way of throwing curveballs. Set aside some buffer time each day for unexpected tasks or emergencies. This will prevent your entire schedule from being derailed when something unplanned comes up.

Bear in mind that planning is not about filling every minute of your day with work. It’s about making intentional choices on what to work on, when to work on it, and for how long. It’s about aligning your day-to-day activities with your long-term goals.

Remember, the key to success is not just hard work but smart work. With careful planning and preparation, you can make every day a stepping stone towards your goals. As Benjamin Franklin said, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

Stay focused, stay driven, and make every day count!

Tip #2 – Get a Coach

My biggest mistake in life was not hiring a coach sooner. Don’t make the same mistake.

The road to entrepreneurial success can be winding and challenging, and having a seasoned guide by your side can make all the difference.

Firstly, a coach provides you with perspective. When you’re immersed in the day-to-day operations of your business, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. A coach, standing on the outside, can help you see things you might overlook, challenge your assumptions, and guide you to new insights.

Secondly, a coach can accelerate your growth. They’ve already walked the path you’re on, made mistakes, learned from them, and found success. They can share these experiences with you, helping you avoid pitfalls and make wise decisions. This can significantly shorten your learning curve and speed up your progress.

Next, a coach offers accountability. One of the toughest parts of entrepreneurship is staying accountable to yourself. A coach serves as a reliable external force holding you to your commitments. They ensure that you stay focused, maintain your momentum, and keep moving forward, even when things get tough.

Furthermore, a coach can be an incredible source of encouragement. The entrepreneurial journey can be a lonely one. Having someone who believes in you, celebrates your victories, and supports you through your challenges can be a great morale booster. They inspire you to keep going and to aim even higher.

Finally, a coach helps you become the best version of yourself. They challenge you to step out of your comfort zone, confront your fears and limitations, and continuously grow and evolve. They don’t just help you build a successful business, they help you become a successful individual.

Getting a coach isn’t about lacking the ability to succeed on your own. It’s about valuing your time, your potential, and your success enough to seek guidance from those who have already achieved what you aspire to. It’s about leveraging their wisdom and experience to fast-track your journey.

Remember, even the greatest athletes in the world have coaches. So, if you’re serious about your entrepreneurial success, find a coach, a mentor, or an advisor who can help guide you on your journey. You don’t have to go it alone.

Tip #3 – Find Positive Social Support

You need to have people around you who do understand what you’re going through. And the internet provides us with an easy method of connecting with other like-minded people. Having a social network of people who are in your marketplace is invaluable.

The value of positive social support lies in its ability to keep you grounded. The entrepreneurial journey is often marked by highs and lows. During the highs, a solid support system keeps you humble and reminds you of the hard work that led to your success. During the lows, they provide reassurance, keeping your spirits up and encouraging you to push through.

Additionally, positive social support is a fantastic sounding board for your ideas. They provide constructive feedback, challenging your ideas and assumptions, helping you refine and improve them. In a world that often echoes with naysayers, finding people who believe in your vision and are willing to contribute to it is priceless.

Furthermore, social support can help expand your network. Whether it’s through introductions to potential clients, collaborators, or mentors, the right social support can open doors to opportunities that you may not have found on your own. It’s not just about who you know; it’s about who they know, too.

Let’s not forget about balance. The entrepreneurial journey is demanding and can often lead to burnout if you’re not careful. Positive social support helps you maintain a healthy work-life balance. They remind you to take breaks, take care of your health, and make time for relaxation and leisure. After all, entrepreneurship is a marathon, not a sprint.

Finally, positive social support can inspire and motivate you. Surrounding yourself with other successful entrepreneurs and positive thinkers can have a profound effect on your mindset. They set a benchmark for success, share their experiences and wisdom, and motivate you to aim higher.

Finding positive social support isn’t about seeking validation or approval. It’s about creating a supportive environment that fosters growth, resilience, and success. It’s about surrounding yourself with positivity, wisdom, and constructive criticism.

Remember, you are the average of the five people you spend the most time with, as the saying goes. So, choose wisely. Surround yourself with people who uplift you, challenge you, and believe in your potential

Tip #4 – Set Deadlines!

A goal without a deadline is just a dream. But by setting a time to complete it by, it’s far more likely that you’ll achieve it. It’s necessary for any transformation.

Now, I know deadlines might conjure images of stress and last-minute rushes, but when used correctly, they are your allies on your path to success.

Deadlines are the backbone of effective time management. They create a sense of urgency, a call to action. Without a deadline, a task is like a ship without a rudder, directionless and prone to drift. A deadline provides a clear end goal, a point on the horizon to steer towards.

Moreover, deadlines help prevent procrastination, one of the greatest enemies of productivity. When you have a deadline, you’re more likely to start a task promptly and stay focused until it’s completed. They act as a nudge, pushing you to act, breaking the inertia of inactivity.

Finally, deadlines foster discipline and responsibility. By setting and adhering to deadlines, you develop a sense of accountability to yourself and others. You learn to manage your time effectively, prioritize tasks, and follow through on your commitments.

In essence, deadlines are not constraints; they are guides. They channel your efforts and energy, helping you move from intention to action to accomplishment. So, set those deadlines, respect them, and watch your productivity soar!

Tip #5 – You Need a Vision for Your Life

Whatever it is you want to achieve, craft that vision and set yourself an age to achieve it by. Having a distinct destination for your life can help you to make the right decisions.

This is not a mere wish or dream, but a detailed blueprint of the future you desire. It’s your roadmap, guiding you towards your ultimate destination.

Creating a life vision gives purpose to your efforts. Without a clear vision, it’s easy to get caught up in the busyness of life, losing sight of what truly matters. Your life vision serves as your north star, a constant reminder of your bigger purpose, keeping you aligned with your true aspirations amid the daily grind.

Your life vision also empowers you to make intentional choices. Every decision you make either takes you closer to or further away from your vision. When you have a clear vision, you can evaluate choices based on whether they align with this vision. It acts as a compass, helping you navigate the myriad of choices life throws at you.

Furthermore, a life vision fuels your motivation. It paints a vivid picture of the rewards that await at the end of your journey, providing a constant source of motivation. Even when you encounter obstacles, the vision of your desired future keeps you going.

Lastly, a life vision instills a sense of control. It reminds you that you’re not merely a passenger in life’s journey but the driver. It puts you in charge of your destiny, reinforcing the belief that you have the power to shape your future.

Creating a life vision isn’t about predicting the future. It’s about deciding what you want your future to look like. It’s a reflection of your deepest desires, values, and goals. So, take some time, sit down, and envision the life you desire. Dream big, for this vision will be the foundation upon which you’ll build your success.

Plan wisely, build diligently, and never stop striving for your vision.

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Imagine yourself a year from now. What will you regret not having done? What opportunities will you regret having turned down? Certain sacrifices are worth it. I wish you the wisdom to know which ones are right!

Craig Ballantyne

If you want to double your income, work less, and become the ambitious millionaire you've always wanted to be... Craig Ballantyne is the coach who will help you do it. With more than 20-years of experience as an entrepreneur and five 7-figure businesses under his belt, he specializes in helping "struckling" entrepreneurs get out of the mud and build the business of their dreams. To see if you qualify for Craig's "Millionaire Coaching Program" send an email to support@earlytorise.com with the subject line "Millionaire".