Think Like a Boss

1. Get an early start.  This extra time will help you avoid speeding tickets, tardiness and other unnecessary headaches.  In addition, most markets and businesses open by 9 A.M.  Whether you work from home or commute to an office, the more time you’ve had to digest the day’s news and obstacles ahead, the greater advantage you’ll have over your competition.
2. Review your Focus list.  What is your number one goal right now?  What’s most important to you?  What makes you happy?  Design your time around these things.  Remember, time is your greatest limited resource, because no matter how hard you try you can’t work 25/8.
3. Review your TO-DON’T list.  A ‘TO-DON’T list’ is a list of things not to do.  It might seem amusing, but it’s an incredibly useful tool for keepingtrack of unproductive habits, like checking Facebook and Twitter, randomly browsing news websites, etc.  Create one and post it up in your workspace where you can see it.
4. Exercise.  Other than the obvious health benefits, movement increases brain function and decreases stress levels.  Developing a consistent habit of exercising is a discipline which will carry over into your business day – Apple CEO, Tim Cook, is in the gym by 5 A.M. every morning.  If you can, go outside for a walk, or jump on the treadmill and start out slow.  This will jump-start your metabolism and your day. (JUST PUSH PLAY)
5. Eat a healthy breakfast.  Your brain and body speed are a function of what you intake.  Bagels, muffins and sugars have the tendency to slow you down.  Fruits, proteins and grains help provide a consistent stream of energy without the sudden drop-off.   Try a mixture of orange, apple and lemon juice with a spinach omelet one morning and let me know how much better you feel. (DRINK SHAKEOLOGY!!)
6. Kiss your partner goodbye.  It sounds cheesy, but most truly successful people have a great home life.  Acknowledging your partner (and kids) mentally relaxes you, allowing you to focus on the day ahead.  Don’t lose sight of the fact that you’re striving to be successful so they may benefit as well.
7. Practice 15 minutes of positive visualization.  In his program Get the Edge, Tony Robbins explains the importance of gratitude visualization first thing every morning.  In a nutshell, spend roughly 15 minutes thinking of everything you’re grateful for: in yourself, among your family and friends, in your career, and the like.  After that, visualize everything you want in your life as if you had it today.  The effect?  Elevated certainty in everything you do, and always being in peak state.  Despite how ‘new age’ it sounds, it’s had incredible effects on associating success into my every-day life.
8. Put first things first.  Successful people recognize that not all hours are created equal, and they strategically account for this when planning their day.  For most of us, our minds operate at peak performance in the morning hours when we’re well rested.  So obviously it would be foolish to use this time for a trivial task like reading emails.  These peak performance hours should be 100% dedicated to working on the tasks that bring you closer to your goals.
9. Eat that frog.  Brian Tracy’s classic time-management book Eat That Frog gets its title from a Mark Twain quote that says, if you eat a live frog first thing in the morning, you’ve got it behind you for the rest of the day, and nothing else will be more difficult.  In others words, get the tough stuff done first.
10. Connect with the right people.  Relationships are the basis of business – communication is the basis of relationships.  Successful people associate with people who are likeminded, focused, and supportive.  These people create energy when they enter the room, versus those who create energy when they leave.  Connecting with these positive people in the morning can set you up for a positive day.
11. Stay informed.  Whether you prefer National Public Radio or the Wall Street Journal, spend a few minutes each morning learning about what is going on in the world.  Not only will it educate you, it may change your perspective or inspire your actions for the day.

Feel Slimmer by Bedtime

Losing weight isn’t about committing to one healthy choice—the journey is made up of lots lifestyle decisions that you make every single day at any given time. Seriously, every hour is an opportunity to do something that can bring you closer to your goal! So here’s your around-the-clock guide to feeling slimmer by bedtime.

6 a.m.
Wake up, and drink a big glass of water. It’ll fill you up and get things moving to prevent belly bloat. Eat a small snack that offers quick carbohydrates and a little protein, such as half a banana and a few almonds—eating first thing jump-starts your metabolism.

And if you have time, exercise! Morning exercisers tend to work out longer and more intensely than those who sweat it out during other times of the day. Plus, it’ll keep the fire lit under your metabolism, so you burn more calories all day long.

7 a.m.
Do some stretches in the shower. You should also eat a filling breakfast that includes protein and fiber—at least 10 grams of each. Don’t be afraid to fill up on healthy carbs because enjoying them early ensures you’ll have time to burn them off later.

8 a.m.
Make your lunch for later, which should include low-fat protein, fiber, fresh veggies, whole grains, and fruit for dessert. Might we suggest these lunch-packing tips for a weight-loss friendly meal?

9 a.m.
Fill up a cup or water bottle once you arrive at work, and sip on it throughout the morning. Staying hydrated will prevent hunger pangs.

10 a.m.
Take a break from work to snack on some satisfying fiber. Just be sure to keep it under 150 calories, like with these snacks.

11 a.m.
Take a few minutes to fill in your food and fitness journal, writing down what you’ve eaten and how much you’ve exercised. It’ll give you an idea of how many calories you’re allowed the rest of the day, and seeing your stats from the previous weeks will motivate you to stay on the healthy path.

12 p.m.
Get moving by going for a walk with a co-worker, bike riding to run an errand, or grabbing that set of dumbbells under your desk (if readily available) and doing these strength-training moves. Any chance to move is better than sitting still.

1 p.m.
Remember that lunch you packed? Start chowing down! Enjoy it with the best calorie-free beverage: water.

2 p.m.
If you can, take that afternoon meeting for a walk around your block. Whether you’re on the phone or meeting in person, walking and talking can help you think more clearly while burning some calories. The same benefits apply if you ask a co-worker to step outside for some fresh air.

3 p.m.
Have a 150-calorie snack to keep energy levels going till dinner. This could include a little something sweet like these 150-calorie desserts since a small indulgence can prevent overeating later.

4 p.m.
Sip some green tea. The caffeine will give you a little pep, and green tea has been shown to suppress your appetite and increase your metabolism.

5 p.m.
Depending on the weather and the distance from your office to your place, try to walk or bike home from work if you can. Not only will it burn some calories, but it can also relieve work stress, which can trigger overeating.

6 p.m.
Make a low-cal dinner filled with veggies, low-fat protein, and whole grains—these vegetarian options under 300 calories are great choices. After dinner is made, put away leftovers before sitting down to nosh to prevent going back for unnecessary seconds.

7 p.m.
Brush your teeth while doing this two-minute butt and leg workout. It’ll tone your tush, and that minty breath will prevent mindless late-night snacking.

8 p.m.
If you like to relax in front of the TV, do these strength-training moves during commercial breaks.

9 p.m.
Get your workout gear ready for tomorrow morning. Slip into your pajamas, and do these yoga poses to encourage sleepiness.

10 p.m.
Snuggle into bed on your way to dreamland. Getting enough sleep is proven to help with weight loss.