The connection between cultivating positive daily habits and achieving success as an entrepreneur is well-documented. However, it’s common—especially at this time of year when New Year’s motivation begins to wane—for those habits to slip away. Below, esteemed salon business coach Liz McKeon outlines the key habits she has identified as essential for long-term success in the salon industry.

Rise early

Considering that most days are busy and chaotic, waking up early to mentally prepare your mind for the day ahead will give you a head start. If waking up early feels daunting, gradually adjust your alarm by 15 minutes each week until you reach your desired time.

Establish a morning routine

Once you master the habit of waking up early, you need time to get your health, wellness and mind in sync. Take a morning ‘hour of power’ for focus and clarity. Use this time wisely for exercise and wellness practices that enhance your well-being and productivity.

Proactively seek out inspiration

Source daily inspiration from books, blogs or motivational speeches. A consistent source of motivation helps sustain your passion for your business.

Set daily business goals, not just long-term goals

Set goals for your business every single day in the morning when your mind is alert. Break down your longer-term goals into daily objectives so that you have a short-term target to keep you on track.

Declutter

Eliminate clutter, as it results in a loss of focus. Start by getting rid of physical clutter, then move on to digital overload. Make this a priority, as clutter causes chaos.

Improve your time management

How you use your time says a lot about how successful you are. Identify time-wasters in your life and commit to a system that helps you remain focused on your objectives.

Prioritise your most important tasks first

Start each day by tackling your most significant tasks first. Preparing a to-do list the night before helps you hit the ground running.

Track and analyse your business daily

Regularly monitor your business performance to identify what strategies are working, what isn’t working and what needs to change.

Network, network, network

Building connections is integral to success in business. Engage in networking to discover opportunities for collaboration that can benefit your salon. Most business owners know this but don’t always incorporate the habit of networking into their daily lives.

Constantly search for ways to add value

To experience true success, you must do the most work for the least initial return. While this may sound counterproductive, it is one of the best long-term strategies for achieving salon success.

Ask questions

To truly succeed, you need to ask many questions about everything and everyone, including yourself. The success of your business will be determined by the quality of the questions you ask. Listen to the answers and perspectives of others; understand and learn from their knowledge and experience.

Journal (for just 15 minutes!)

Spend 15 minutes each day journaling about your goals and emotional state. Writing can offer an honest reflection of what you wish to achieve and what may be hindering your progress.

Emrace a glass half full mentality

While it’s tempting to get bogged down by finances, poor sales and staffing issues, focusing on the negative will only bring more negativity. Develop the habit of thinking positively and remaining focused on the good things.

Give back

While it may not lead directly to profitability, contributing to your community enriches the lives of others and enhances your sense of purpose.

Budget and stick to it

Financial discipline is essential! Establish a clear budget for your salon and monitor it regularly—not just every other week—to maintain healthy cash flow.

Skill up

Continuously develop your skills and keep learning and evolving. If you stagnate, so will your business.

Ask for help – nobody has all the answers

It is the nature of business and life to face challenges and occasionally crash and fail. Successful salon owners aren’t afraid to ask for help before they are in serious strife. Consulting with experts and advisors regularly should be commonplace, not the exception.

To learn more about Liz McKeon, visit her website here.