15 Daily Habits Of Powerhouse Leaders - Business Insider http://www.businessinsider.com/14-success-secret-of-powerhouse-leader...

CINDY RATZLAFF, BRAND NEW, BRAND YOU

JUL. 15, 2011, 8:51 AM

Consistency is a commonly referred to metric for social media success. Its also the secret ingredient behind the
personal brands of leaders in industries as diverse as technology, television, journalism and publishing.

Nearly every guru or expert mentions consistent engagement as a routine or habit that contributes to online
success.

Ever since the publication of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey, people been
fascinated with the notion that there are some common traits, habits, rituals or routines that all successful people
embrace. They extrapolate that by adopting these same routines or habits they, too, might be able to tap into
their own path to personal and professional success.

In speaking with leaders in a wide variety of fields, Ive come to realize that this is not entirely true. The habits
or routines followed by leaders are as diverse as are their talents.

Still, a recent Twitter conversation about daily habits and successful business leaders, prompted me to ask 14 top
performers in a wide variety of fields to share one thing they do, every day, they feel has contributed significantly
to their success.

Heres are the lessons I gleaned from what they shared. The headlines are my interpretation of their routine or
habit.

1. Associate with interesting people

Robert Scoble, Robert Scoble, Blogger, Tech Evangelist and Rackspace Executive

For years now my main habit is to have a different conversation, every day, with someone who is DOING
something interesting! Ive kept doing that for years, and recording almost all of them, and that has enriched my
life immeasurably (and my career, too). I make sure I always keep my calendar full with at least one conversation
with someone different.

2. Pay yourself first

Jeremiah Owyang, Industry Analyst, Altimeter Group

Opening and responding to emails is often the act of paying someone else instead I pay myself first by
researching, reading, and writing my thoughts on a blog each morning for about 2 hours before responding to
email.

3. Make technology serve your needs

Ben Parr, Editor-At Large at Mashable

I have a private wiki that I use to organize my entire life. It has a list of what I want to accomplish, my personal
philosophies, important links and even my bucket list.

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4. Clear your head and keep your energy high

Loic Le Meur, founder of Seesmic.com and LeWeb.net Conference.

I run nearly every day. That makes me relax and take some distance about daily projects. While many think its
tiring, when you get into it you actually feel an incredible energy kick for the entire day if you run in the
morning. It makes me feel happy and nice to my coworkers and makes me forget about annoying things I would
otherwise have a tendency to focus on. Otherwise, I could not understand technology the way I do if TechMeme
wasnt there.

5. Eat your own dog food.

Laura Fitton, CEO/Founder Oneforty.com and co-author of Twitter for @Dummies

I actually eat my own dog food! Every day I use SocialBase (our social media productivity management
software) to stay on top of my social media presence. It lets me easily track tasks and bookmark the tools and
platforms that I need to keep updated every day. It reminds me of my daily, weekly & monthly recurring tasks,
and gives me a jumping off point to execute them in one single spot.

6. Flex your spiritual muscle

Michael Stelzner, founder of SocialMediaExaminer.com and author of Launch

I pray! I thank God for working through me, pray for inspiration and ask for encouragement during the difficult
moments. The Lord has always taken care of me. This is something I do in my car just before I walk on into the
office.

7. Practice what you teach

Mari Smith, Facebook, Social Media & Relationship Marketing Specialist, Author of Facebook Marketing: An
Hour A Day

Every day, I personally respond to as many messages as I can, whether by email, Facebook, Twitter, etc. I do my
best to make time to thank and acknowledge people. As Sir Richard Branson says, lavish praise on people. I
agree wholeheartedly. People love to be heard and I pride myself on being inclusive and treating others as
equals. At the end of each day, I can sleep peacefully knowing Ive reached out and connected with as many
people as possible and it ultimately all helps to build social equity.

8. Keep an inquisitive mind

Rieva Lesonsky, CEO GrowBiz Media

One of the keys to my success, is I explore every day. I check Twitter, read the newsletters I subscribe to, go to
my favorite websites. Theres so much information out there which can inspire or inform something Im working
on. As busy as I may be, I make sure to do this every day.

9. Replenish your resources

Gretchen Rubin, author of New York Times bestseller, The Happiness Project

My habit: Getting enough sleep. Research makes it clear that sleep has an enormous influence on our mood,
health, energy, athletic performance lack of sleep may even contribute to weight gain! The top two reasons for
people to be in bad moods at work? Tight work deadlines and lack of sleep. As a writer, my mental acuity and
energy are critically important. I see a huge difference in my analytical capacity, my creativity, and my
productivity based on how wide-awake I feel. Its hard to turn out the light before I finish that chapter or answer
one last email, but now Im zealous about getting enough sleep.

10. Plan for success

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David Zinczenko, Editor-in-Chief, Mens Health

I get in before the rest of my staff almost every day. Its the only time that I can concentrate on writing, editing,
and other close work. Once the team is here, its all about meeting and managing. Im a nutrition guy, so I stock
my office with healthy snacks and drinks like almonds, trail mix, dried fruit and coconut water. It keeps my
energy up, and I dont need to waste time running out to look for something to eat. And, I go to the gym almost
every day at lunchtime, and read through emails on a stationary bike. It makes the second half of my day much
more energetic, and I take less timeand get more doneduring a workout than during most business lunches.

11. Trust your intuition

Maria Andros, The Video Marketing Queen, creator of The Social Media Traffic Blueprint and The Video
Conversion Formula.

I think that the biggest key to my success has always been strengthening my intuition on a daily basis. I
download ideas and get inspiration for the content of all my programs much like an artist does. Often its very
easy to let our analytical minds take over and keep us stuck. I feel that the more we are in tune with our inner
guidance, the more we can make the right decisions to move our businesses forward. For example before I
partner with anyone, or create a new product, I listen, for if its a hell YES or not. If not, I do not proceed, as that
will only have a impact down the road. I have learned the hard way in the past. I practice listening to my inner
voice and my gut and its almost always accurate. I highly recommend building this muscle as it can make a great
difference in your results. I think that some of the most successful people in business are very in tune with their
intuition and this helps them to stay on track and moving forward.

12. Banish the naysayers

Kathy Kinney, Actress and Author and literacy advocate

I get out of my own way.

13. Find your creative zone

Wally Lamb, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Shes Come Undone, and I know this Much is True

Since I began writing fiction 30 years ago, I have always found the shower to be a place where my creativity is
unleashed. I hit the rain room each morning before I hit the button on the computer. The earlier the
better5:00 a.m., if possible.

14. Create space to think

Peggy Rajski, Academy Award Winning Director Of Trevor and co-founder of The Trevor Project

The daily habit that contributes to my success is morning meditation. Ive done it for over 20 years. I usually sit
for 20 minutes or more, but honestly, even 5 minutes does the trick. I feel more resilient, ready to take on the
challenges of the day, and less likely to experience I think Im going to kill you if you dont do what I want
versus I think this is kind of funny that I cant get what I want. But more often than not, I do get what I
wantor understand that what Im getting is what I need regardless of what I think I want.

15. Cindy Ratzlaff, Author, Speaker, Consultant

Its only fair that I share mine as well. I set a success goal every morning, for that day. I write it on a white board
in my office and when I find myself being pulled off track, I ask myself will this action serve todays goal? If
not, I set it aside until Ive accomplished the daily goal.

Are there habits or routines you can incorporate in your own life to achieve a higher level of business success?
Please share and lets see if we can enrich one anothers daily practices toward higher levels of achievement.

Read more posts on Brand New, Brand You

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Read the original article on Brand New, Brand You. Copyright 2011.

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