I remember as an undergrad, I had a pressing deadline for a term paper — and for the life of me — I just couldn’t get it done.

This was the first time the professor was inviting paper submissions via email. (Yes, if you’re much younger than me, you used to have to turn your papers in by hand 🙂

So the due date hits and, out of desperation, I emailed in a blank word document. 

A week later, my professor sends me an email: Marisa, I got your paper, but it’s completely blank. And gave me a 2-week extension to get it done.

But what should have been a process that took me a week or two ended up taking me six weeks to complete. Because I wasn’t able to just focus and get something done. I’d get distracted, I’d get up, I would go walking… anything but write that paper.

And even when I did write the paper, I was so focused on getting all the words perfect, that I couldn’t just get into the zone and start writing. I would read and review and edit every word as I went… trying to make each word just right.

And that desire to be perfect stopped me from just moving forward. So I had to break my desire for perfection. And just keep going, not edit, get things done, get things out and know that having my work out in the world was way more important than getting everything perfect.

So while there are definitely daily habits that you should break, there are also simple daily habits, that if you do them every day, can compound over time and help you maintain success.

As best selling author John C. Maxwell says, You’ll never change your life until you change something you do daily. 

That’s why I want to share 10 daily simple habits that’ll get you into action in moving towards your biggest goals in life and business.

Keep reading or watch my video!

Habit #1: Establish a Morning Routine or Action You Do Every Day

Establishing a morning routine or even just one simple action you take as soon as you wake up will get you in the right mindset to work.

Ask yourself this: What is the one thing that’s going to help you snap into focus and get you ready for the day?

Some ideas are: meditation, exercise, taking a walk in nature or even just reading for 15-30 minutes.

Habit #2: Establish a Shutdown Routine

Establishing a shutdown routine at the end of your day will give you your mind space back and allow your brain the time to recharge.

It could be writing a list of anything you weren’t able to get done so it’s off your mental plate and onto the page. Maybe it’s opening a document to start writing into the very next day so you know there will be little to no resistance for you when you’re ready to go the next day.

Whatever you need to do to let go of the day and feel free to enjoy the rest of your evening.

Habit #3: Create a Shutdown Phrase

This habit is directly related to your shutdown routine.

At the end of your routine, you want to do something that feels like a ritual that you rinse and repeat every day so you know that this is the end of your workday.

And one of the best things to do is to create a shutdown phrase that you say every single day.

A shutdown phrase tells your brain you’re done with all work considerations for the day.

And you need to say it out loud.

It could be something silly like: Thank God I’m done. 

Or something more poetic, like this phrase in Spanish that I’ve always loved: Y Colorin Colorado Esta Cuento Ha Terminado.

Whatever it is, just say it every single day. That’s going to give your brain the cue that it’s got permission to shut off for the day.

Habit #4: Create Visual Cues or Reminders 

Don’t hide the things you want to focus on!

Create visual cues or reminders for what you want to do more of each day.

This visual cue could be laying out your workout clothes in plain view so you remember that daily workout. Or putting some healthy food or fruit on the counter. Or you’ve got your vitamins on the kitchen table instead of hidden away in the cabinet.

Because putting what you want to do more of right in front of your face reminds you: Hey, it’s time to take care of this right now.

So, bring the things you want to focus on into plain sight.

Habit #5: Take One Small Action to Grow Your Business Every Single Day 

Not taking action is one of the biggest things holding people back from really realizing the business they desire.

So decide to take action every day, no matter how small and even better, write that down, put it in your calendar, and remind yourself what that action is that you want to do.

Whether it’s the action you want to take that day or the action you want to take the next day… just write it down so you remember it.

Consider putting it in your calendar and crossing it off daily as you do it. Then, see how many days in a row you can hit!

Make it a game so you feel like you’re on a winning streak.

Not only will you make some strides in your business if you practice this, but you will have the confidence that comes from knowing that you’ve accomplished something each day.

Now, a few ideas…

• Film your first TikTok video
• Update your LinkedIn profile
• Reach out to a potential client or a friend you haven’t talked to in a while
• Check out some competitors’ blogs or YouTube channels and see what they’re up to

Any little action counts. Just do something every single day, no matter how small it is.

And one quick action you can take right now is to subscribe to our newsletter! I share only the best tips and advice to grow your business and help you ride the ups and downs of entrepreneurship and come out on top.

Subscribe here and I’ll send you a bunch of goodies!

Habit #6: Do Something Quick and Fulfilling Each Day to Give Yourself a Break 

Doing something quick and fulfilling will often help you get your creative juices flowing when you’re stuck. And some of my best ideas come out when I’m in nature. So every single day, my husband Murray and I go for a 40-minute walk.

You can put this action in your calendar each day as a reminder and let everyone know that you’re not available during those 30-60 minutes.

Habit #7: Practice Gratitude 

A daily gratitude practice can put you in the positive frame of mind you need, even when things get tough.

Just write down a few things you’re grateful for each day – even if they’re small – and put your list somewhere you can see as a reminder.

These don’t have to be big things. It can be the tiniest thing that you choose to be grateful for.

Because whatever it is that you’re focusing on, that’s what’s going to grow, that’s what’s going to expand, and if you focus on gratitude, you’re going to feel more grateful, happier and more capable of tackling the world.

Habit #8: Clean and Declutter Your Work Area Before You Shutdown

As they say… untidy desk, untidy mind.

So have everything that you need for the next day ready to go and get rid of the rest. Whether it’s coffee cups, scattered pieces of paper and notes, make sure you put all of this in a Google Doc or somewhere they don’t get lost. So when you sit down at your desk the next day, you are ready to go.

Habit #9: Read For At Least 10 Minutes a Day

So reading has long-lasting benefits, and it makes you a better writer. But so often as entrepreneurs, we neglect reading because we get so darn busy.

So just commit to reading for 10-20 minutes a day. Take the time that you spend mindlessly scrolling on the internet or on social media and read instead.

Habit #10: Go Outside of Your Comfort Zone

Try this for one month for 30 days and watch your confidence grow. Pretty soon, you’ll be super comfortable at your next networking event or filming your next video.

Pushing yourself just a little bit exercises your ability to handle rejection and can even open the doors to opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise have. It also helps you gain new skills quickly.

There you have it – 10 simple daily habits to start today! Try doing just 1-2 of these every day for 30 days and track how you feel and the progress you’re making in your business and in your life.

Let me know in the comments a simple daily habit that’s positively impacted your life and business!

And before you go…

Are you ready to build a business that stands the test of time?

A business that gives you the life you’ve only dreamed of?

Then, you need to discover your True North Business (the one you’re meant to build).

And that’s what you’ll uncover in my free, 60-minute Masterclass — Discover the Business You’re Truly Meant to Build & How to Share It With the World

So if you’re ready to build a business on a rock-solid foundation — instead of one built on sand — save your seat!