
Energising International Executives for more successful, productive, fulfilling leadership
International Executive and Holistic Success Coach | Author | Podcast Presenter | 30+ years working internationally
Picture this: It’s 6 AM, and while most of London is still hitting the snooze button, you’re already setting yourself up for an absolutely brilliant day. Not because you’re some superhuman early bird (though if you are, jolly good show!), but because you’ve cracked the code of high-performing leadership habits.
Now, before you start thinking, “Oh dear, not another article about morning routines,” let me assure you – this isn’t about forcing yourself to become a dawn-loving yoga enthusiast (unless that’s your cup of tea, of course). It’s about something far more interesting: how your brain absolutely adores routine, and how you can use this to your advantage without turning into a robot.
Here’s a rather clever trick I’ve discovered: habit stacking. Think of it as the leadership equivalent of making a proper British sandwich – you start with something you already do automatically (like having your morning cuppa), then sneakily add layers of goodness on top. While that kettle’s boiling, why not spend five minutes reviewing your goals for the day? Suddenly, you’re not just caffeinating; you’re strategizing!
Now, let’s talk about micro-habits, those tiny little actions that seem about as significant as a biscuit crumb but can create rather remarkable changes over time. It’s rather like how the British obsession with queuing has created one of the most orderly societies in the world – small actions, massive impact!
For instance, instead of trying to overhaul your entire workflow in one go (which, let’s be honest, is about as realistic as expecting a proper summer in Britain), why not start by standing up and having a stretch every hour? Or perhaps keeping a water bottle at your desk and taking a sip every time you check your calendar?
Creating triggers for your new habits is rather like setting up a series of friendly reminders from your more organized self. Put your running trainers by the door, set a cheerful alarm for break times, or – my personal favourite – stick Post-it notes with encouraging messages in unexpected places. (Finding “You’ve got this, champ!” inside your laptop is guaranteed to bring a smile, even during those rather dreary Monday morning meetings.)
Let’s have a proper heart-to-heart about those not-so-wonderful habits we’ve all picked up along the way. You know the ones – constantly checking your phone like it holds the secrets to the universe, procrastinating on important tasks by reorganizing your sock drawer (we’ve all been there), or skipping breaks because you’re “too busy” (spoiler alert: you’re not).
Here’s a jolly good challenge for you: keep a habit tracker for a week. Think of it as a fitness tracker for your leadership skills, minus the incessant beeping. Write down the habits you want to build, track your progress, and celebrate the small wins. Even if your only achievement is remembering to drink water instead of surviving solely on coffee – that’s progress!
The key to success here isn’t trying to transform yourself into Richard Branson overnight (though wouldn’t that be something?). It’s about starting small and building momentum. Choose one positive habit you’d like to develop – perhaps it’s spending ten minutes each morning planning your day, or maybe it’s learning to delegate without feeling guilty about it.
Remember, creating new habits isn’t about perfection – it’s about progress. And just like a proper British queue, progress moves steadily forward, one small step at a time. The most successful leaders aren’t the ones who made massive changes overnight; they’re the ones who consistently showed up, day after day, building their success one habit at a time.
So, what’s it going to be? Which small, positive habit will you start building today? The journey to exceptional leadership begins with that first, seemingly insignificant step.
If you’re ready to take that step with some proper guidance and support, pop over to the rather excellent Leader Connect platform, where you’ll find my taster course waiting to help you kickstart your leadership evolution. Trust me, it’s going to be brilliant!
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