According to a new study by Capital on Tap, two-fifths (41%) of small business owners think having a daily routine has played a part in their success. But, what does the schedule of a successful entrepreneur actually look like?
To find out, the small business credit card company delved a little deeper within their survey, asking 250 UK small business owners to reveal the daily habits they believe have actually contributed to their success. Based on the top 10 most common habits, and the most popular time of day for completing these activities, the experts at Capital on Tap have created the ‘ultimate’ daily routine for business owners.
9am to 12pm
- Engage with customers and employee management
93% of those surveyed say they speak with customers as part of their daily routine, and 38% say they do so in the morning. 90% also say they undertake employee management on a daily basis, with 31% doing so between 9am and 12pm.
- Organise workspace
38% of those surveyed say that having a tidy workspace helps them feel focused and motivated. Of the 90% of business owners who make sure they have a neat area to work in, 33% think this is the best time to organise their workspace.
12pm to 3pm
- Review taxes or accounts and monitor finances
94% of those surveyed say that they sort their taxes and accounts as part of their daily routine, with a quarter doing so in this window. 92% also monitor their finances on a daily basis, and 21% think lunch is the best time to do this.
- Eat healthy and go on a walk outside
Lunchtime is seen as a good chance to incorporate physical well-being into a daily routine. 93% of those surveyed include healthy eating as one of their daily habits, and one in three view lunch as the best time to eat well.
92% also make sure to get outside on a walk during a typical day, and one in five business owners (21%) say this is the best time to do so.
3pm to 6pm
The afternoon can be a good chance to get stuck into a to-do list that has been created throughout the morning and prioritise any urgent tasks. In addition to this, according to our study, one in five of the business owners who are journaling do so within this time period.
6pm to 9pm
- Listen to music
Over one-third of those surveyed say that music helps to inspire and motivate them, and 93% of business owners say listening to music is part of their daily routine. 20% like to do so after 6pm, but this is also a popular activity at any time of day. Music can be a great way to switch off, or to help move yourself from work mode to a more chilled headspace.
- Make time for hobbies
Of the 89% who make time for hobbies in their daily schedule, one-third like to do so in this post-work window. It’s interesting to note however, that as many as 31% of those surveyed say they have had to sacrifice their hobbies and interests to keep up with their work.
- Exercise
87% of business owners also include exercise in their daily routine, and 28% of those surveyed do so post-work. While social media often suggests that successful entrepreneurs are hitting the gym before sunrise to maximise their day, the study shows this is really not the case, with a mere 7% choosing to exercise before 6am.
9pm to 12am
- Review and reflect on the day
As the evening draws to a close, now is the chance to review and reflect on the day. 91% of successful business owners say they incorporate some form of contemplation into their routine, and one-third (28%) say they do so during this window. No matter what form of contemplation they take, 40% of those surveyed say that reflecting back on their day contributes to their overall success.
Although it might not be a regular part of their daily routine, 24% of business owners also think that manifestation got them where they are today, so having a clear vision of where the business is going is really important.
