5 Things You Should Do to Stay Happy, Passionate and Productive While You Work Don't fear Mondays -- embrace them and improve them with these simple tips.
By Adam Toren
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Even with our diverse entrepreneurial responsibilities and our somewhat exciting livelihoods, it could be easy for my brother Matthew and I to get caught up in bland working routines. But, we're able to guard against this pitfall of entrepreneurship with some useful techniques we've learned over the years.
Here are our five tips to start every day motivated, productive and passionate.
1. Set goals to get yourself pumped.
It's hard to kick butt when you don't know what you want to do. At the beginning of the day, make a short list of goals to fulfill by the evening. They should be achievable and highly productive relative to your long-term goals. Everyone loves the feeling of crossing something off their list, and a physical recording of your objectives that you can check off will keep you motivated and on track throughout the day.
Related: 11 Habits of Truly Happy People
2. Kick off your morning with something you enjoy.
Matthew and I make it a point to always start (and end) our days on a positive note. What gets you going even on sleepy or extra busy days? Is it a jog during sunrise? A hot cup of coffee or tea? Listening to your favorite business podcast over breakfast? No matter what it is, make sure you carve out enough time in your morning routine to fit it into your day.
3. Stay on a roll.
Don't let yourself get lazy. The "snooze" button on your alarm may be tempting, but lying around in bed -- whether you're asleep or browsing social media for ten minutes -- will sap your motivation and prevent you from getting that energetic head start on your day. Don't let the internet suck you in, no matter how many times you tell yourself it's the last news story you'll read or the last YouTube video you'll watch. Stay on a roll and keep crossing things off that list of goals you created earlier.
4. Check in with someone.
Teaming up with someone not only helps hold you accountable, but it makes the work day eons more exciting and rewarding. Join forces with someone from your entrepreneurial community, a friend or a family member to update on your progress and bounce your energy off. My brother and I interact several times a day, so even though we live far apart, we're never in business alone.
The right person will help you push through when times get tough and celebrate your wins by your side. Make sure you do the same for them, too!
Related: Habits of the World's Wealthiest People (Infographic)
5. Stay organized.
Though your workspace should probably stay relatively clean and tidy, that's not the only thing you need to keep organized to achieve what I call the "passion warrior" mindset. Lay out an agenda (in a paper planner or an organization app) so you aren't scrambling to remember important dates and deadlines right before they sneak up on you.
Keep your business plans and documented progress in a neat and easily accessible spot. Work on one or two tasks at a time instead of taking on everything at once. An organized mindset is a productive and passionate one.
