Essential lifestyle tips from highly successful business leaders

CEO of Amazon and Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos. Photo: Bulent Kilic/AFP

The secret to success? A solid daily routine and a set of habits that breed productivity, positivity, and efficiency. That’s according to some of the most successful business leaders around.

Here are their top lifestyle tips that helped them to succeed in business.

Exercise every day

Richard Branson, founder of Virgin:

I seriously doubt that I would have been as successful in my career (and happy in my personal life), if I hadn’t always placed importance on my health and fitness. I start every day with exercise ... Exercise puts me in a great mind frame to get down to business, and also helps me to get the rest I need each night.

(Via Branson’s blog)

Get enough sleep

Jeff Bezos, Amazon founder:

Eight hours of sleep makes a big difference for me, and I try hard to make that a priority. For me, that’s the needed amount to feel energized and excited.

(Via Thrive Global)

Set your goals for a successful day

John Frerichs, CFO of WePay:

First thing in the morning, decide what you need to do to consider that day a success. Setting that expectation, with yourself and with your team, ensures everyone is clear on what is a priority, and helps to track progress and maintain accountability. Better yet, in a world of never-ending to-do lists it provides a yardstick of when to consider the day done and go home.

(Via Inc)

READ MORE: Top tips on how to become a millionaire

Be positive

Kris Duggan, co-founder of Betterworks:

I’ve made it a habit to be a positive, enthusiastic source within my company. Even in the morning, ‘hi’ or ‘welcome’ has huge ripple effects across the organization at scale. It seems simple but has the power to make employees feel valued and appreciated.

(Via Time)

Use your commute

Lisa Shields, founder of FI.SPAN:

I try to maximize my time by using my commute for planning and thinking. Several days a week I jog or bike to work to give my mind space to decompress and mull over business problems. Research has shown that exercise improves memory and learning, and I've found it helps my creativity. Often ideas that come to me during my commute are then the basis for directions the company will take within the next week or month.

(Via Inc)

Read voraciously

Bill Gates, Microsoft founder:

It is one of the chief ways that I learn, and has been since I was a kid. These days, I also get to visit interesting places, meet with scientists and watch a lot of lectures online. But reading is still the main way that I both learn new things and test my understanding.

(Via New York Times)