I was driving to the office this morning and shot this quick video on the hop, as they say – but, I think the content brings up a serious point…
As entrepreneurs, we ALL do things differently, right?! What works for me, might not work for you, and vice-versa. That’s what makes this entrepreneurial world that we live in so remarkable and outstanding.
I enjoy making people smile… Shortly after filming this clip, I popped into Starbucks to get coffee for a couple of my managers, one of which tweeted a thank you (below) message. She was so happy, that she forgot how to spell ‘christmas’ (I assure you, her written English is spotless – unless infused with a free Starbucks treat!). Its awesome to think that this employee has been with me for 3+ years, has grown her career with my company and recently brought yet another Live2Sell Family member into the world!
What a way to begin not only my day, but my week – one of which, I can only assume, as I always do, will be awesome! It’s this mindset that I have that I know for a FACT has something to do with the way I am so productive, and therefore enable myself to be highly productive, in an increasingly ‘noisey’ entrepreneurial world.
What do you do to get started every day? Let us know below, maybe we’ll pick up some cool ideas from each other!
A serial entrepreneur, virtual staffing expert, blogger, podcaster and author, Chris helps other entrepreneurs catapult their businesses into the 21st century utilizing what he calls the 'New Business' style of marketing. 
Chris is a serial entrepreneur, virtual staffing expert, blogger, podcaster and author who helps other entrepreneurs catapult their businesses into the 21st century utilizing what he calls the 'New Business' style of marketing.
{ 45 comments… read them below or add one }
I get up, turn my time clock on to the “Blue Sky” task, and walk down to Peets for a large cup of coffee.
When I get back, the clock switches to billable.
Clock switches to billable… LOVE THIS BIG TIME.
What a great self-motivator, right there…..?!!!
Thanks, Dave.
C
I blast my headphones with anything I’m feeling on my Rdio account. Some mornings it’s Adele and some it’s The Glitch Mob.
Music is a great starter…
For me, its MJ (yes, I’m a huge fan!) if I’m in a ‘pop mood’, or at other times I dig James Brown, Ray Charles and anything FUNK related.
Thanks for dropping by, Derek.
C
Easy – I start with some meditation and journaling and a coffee. Create my self-care list and my to do list for the day and I’m off and running! With a 50 hour work week I need routine to keep things running smoothly!
Hi Doll
Journaling… Is this personal, business – both…?! Curious. It’s been a long, loooooong time since I kept a journal, of any kind.
You’ve also caught my attention with your ‘self care’ list… Please explain!
50 hours a week is a solid work-week… Have you asked yourself if its really needed…?! Or do you simply enjoy it that much!!?
Wow – lots of questions for you… Hope you return to answer them…
C
4 days a week I get up before 6am to get in a nice 45-60 minute workout. The other three days I get up with no alarm clock and enjoy the craziness that happens with 2 young kids in school. This isn’t set in stone, but what happens the majority of the time. Cheers.
Tony, you’re killin’ me, dude… 6am and 60min workout scares the beejeezers out of me!
Just playin’… I used to do a similar thing, but haven’t worked out like that (weights, etc.) since I slipped a disc years ago. I keep healthy, but in my own ways…
I also rarely wake up to an alarm clock – its the only way to be!
C
Tony – just wanted to say thanks for the audio book download link you emailed me, bud.
Very cool of you – unexpected and a very nice gesture. Thanks, dude.
C
I know that I don’t start my day by breaking the local driving laws
. HEHE. Thanks for the shout out to me and Livefyre. I think my morning routine is writing and coffee. After that it’s reading and comments. I try to balance out my social media activity with content creation.
Hi Srini
Writing and Coffee – a match made in heaven…
Social media for me isn’t as much of a focus as it is for others. I do around 30mins a day – absolute maximum, and its usually a lot less…
But – I always make time to reply to my readers comments!!!
C
To everyone else…
Livefyre is hot (pun intended!), check them out…
I will be using this commenting platform for the re-launch of OutsourceToThePhilippines.com shortly, and might even stick it on here at VBL in the new year, too.
Let me know what you all think!
C
I get up around 5am and start to write posts, its much easier earlier in the morning less distractions.
I have to work at a schedule that i have set. And this schedule is flexible enough to fit in with other obligations.
And my way of life. And also have periods of the day for thinking, planning,reading,Photographing.
Hi David
That’s an EARLY start – but, thats the thing – some people like to do that (be mental – joke!) and it helps them get centered and kick start the day! Love that you spend that quiet time writing as well, thats awesome.
Thanks for the insights, bud.
C
Hi Chris
I counted 20 traffic violations
The livefyre system looks very cool @Srinivas qudos thats a very smart system. My only concern is moderating a live stream could be difficult
But for social engagement and post panda “newnewss” that is smart.
Thanks for the shout out chris, your billing my small witterings to high
I wrote than 4-5 weeks ago now 
its probably out of date ::-)
cheers anyway
Hi Steve
You were counting…?!! Sheish… I gotta get me some new subscribers!!!
Lookin’ for to your VBL debut tomorrow….
C
Both hands on the wheel, Chris!
I’m up between 5:30 and 6:00 each day. My husband and son wake about 6:15 but I like a little quiet reflection before the house comes alive. After about 15 minutes of meditation, I get my family prepared for the day – pack the backpack, make coffee, breakfast, make sure The Boy isn’t wearing something offensive to school, etc.
Once the guys are off, I start planning my work day – both with my full time job and with my latest book project, and tackle email. At about 8:30 I meet the girls on the corner and we take a three to five mile walk. Come home about 10:00, shower and really dive into my day.
Hi Deb
‘Before the house comes alive…’ – absolutely awesome.
Enough said.
Enjoy… and good luck on the next book – I’m sure it’ll rock.
C
Everyone – Deb is THE gal over at BlogWorld – go click on her link and check out her blog… It’s a fantastic little resource with a great archive, too!
Thanks again, Deb.
C
By watching your video and reading some of the above comments, I am realizing (okay, I already knew this!) that my morning routine needs some serious revamping. Instead of starting it off with work, work, work, I need to squeeze in some me time, as well as time to step away from the online world to get my creative juices flowing.
Right now it’s up at 6 to answer emails until 6:45. Get kid #1 to school, work one more hour. Get kids #2 and #3 to school, work for 5 hours. Pick up kid #1 from school. Work one hour. Pick up kids 2 and 3 from school. And then the evening chaos of dinner and activities begins. Kids go to bed. Work one more hour. Do you see a pattern?
Yep, my schedule needs some work.
Thanks for this video Chris and drive safely!
Hi Julie
Ha! Every now and then we have to take a step back and see how we’re running our lives – and not the other way around.
Being an entrepreneur is tough sometimes, making the beginning of your day a positive one can make all the difference, I find.
Thanks for dropping by.
C
Chris, first of all, I don’t try and drive and record a videoblog (grin). But for me, when I was in the Philippines for 6 weeks last summer my day started with the horn toot of the pandesal boy on bicycle bringing me my hot breads for breakfast (at about 6am). Then checking emails from Canada for about an hour. Then clean up and start the team training by 10am (til 3pm). That’s how I started my day for most to the 6 weeks I was in the Philippines. Thanks for the video posting.
Hi Paul
Ah, warm pandesal is a great way to start the day, also – good for you for enjoying some ‘local life’, as I always say.
The Philippines awaits your return, kind sir…
C
You’re looking younger Chris….
This morning was lie in until 6.15 when the “master of the house” decided it was time to get up (he’s 17 mths old) – so day started spending quality time with my son and took him to nursery. Then breakfast, few calls and a client presentation. Followed by more calls. Don’t think I’ve had any time for email today!
Hi Matthew
Love the term ‘master of the house’ – mainly because its SO TRUE!
Family time is a great way to kick-start ANY day.
C
PS. So, the plastic surgery worked then…? Great!
Coffee….. lots of it.
Hi Dan
I hear ya on that one, buddy – gotta have that early morning cup ‘o joe to get goin’, right…?!!
C
Due respect to you Chris for the great content you provide on this site, but I want to point out that driving while recording yourself and focusing on the camera, the t-shirt plug and your delivery of content instead of the road,the traffic and any potential hazards is in my opinion reckless and straight forward dangerous mate. The reality of road accidents can destroy so many lives and that gamble is simply not worth a 3 minute clip to connect with your followers. I’m happy to wait til you get to the office…..
Hi Dan
Heard loud and clear, mate. Reality check from loyal reader – received.
Thanks for the comment.
C
Depends on where i am, if its working from home. Up at 7.30 – 8.00 turn on tv, computers, kettle, feed fish then breakfast and check emails. Then shower and do any “proper” job work first before starting on IM work ohh and plenty off coffee and playstation breaks:)
If i’m working away, which i am more often than not, its get up shower go to breakfast and then go to client.
At the weekend it kinda depends on my daughter, and she like to be up at stupid o clock
Hi Trevor
Nice insights, I also tend to be a little more regimented when traveling – funny how that happens, isnt it…?!
Playstation – cant stand game consoles… But, I can see the attraction for escapism, for sure.
I prefer to read…
Thanks for the comment, mate.
C
I’m usually up around 6:00 a.m. and ready to hit it. Four days per week, it’s a short and intense workout in my house followed by some time with the kids before they go to bed. The other days I usually like to chill out with some hot coffee and do some writing or work on the ole online business. Then when the wife and kids are up, it’s all about them!
Dustin
Hi Dustin
Love the energy in this comment of yours…
Thanks for dropping by and giving us some insights… What a bunch of cool peeps, we are…..?!!!
Appreciate it, and welcome to the VBL Tribe.
C
Yo Chris!
Just wanted to give you props for the topic here. Its easy to underestimate what a big difference a positive start to the day can make. “Your Day is decided at Dawn” is my new saying as a result of reading this thread. ha! I should copyright that. :-b cos I know you’re gonna nick it that’s why 
You know who it is!
Whether its starting the day with contemplation, Tai’chi, a quick swim (Brilliant in the summer time when the sun is up here in the UK) a good, complete & healthy breakfast make more of a difference to my day too.
I’m not no entrepreneur as you know….But I must say I like your way of doing it the best … . “ANYTHING FUNK RELATED” Ooooh yea!
PS…Hab a bery Haffy Chritmas! *-)
Yes, my brother. I hear you loud and clear.
You Maa Faa.
C
Chris!!! Thank goodness no traffic enforcer caught you! (Hmmm.. but it would have been more interesting if you were caught, hehehe)
First thing I do in the morning… check emails. Then prepare for work. Once on my desk, coffee with emails and check my social networks.,
Hahaha… I know, it would have been waaaay more interesting, you’re right.
The social network stuff is cool, I know. I actually do most of it via my iPhone nowadays… It’s tempting to roll over in bed and check ‘em right there and then, but for the most part, I resist…!
Thanks for dropping by, Nica.
C
Ack!!!! You morning people frighten me! I start my day as late as possible/plausible for the tasks set for that day. Then I stumble in search of Mountain Dew. Only then…after 20 minutes of liquid boost, can I begin to consider facing the day. …now, later that night…on to rock and roll. …knockin’ off tasks and moving ahead…cranking it up and onward. Yeah! Night time IS the time to crush it. Mornings? Not so much. Blech.
Frighten you!?! LOL – not the intention, I assure you.
However, your ‘schedule’ isn’t that different to what I followed for many years when building and growing a business that had its client base solely (and pretty much still does) in the USA. Now I am a little luckier, with the schedule – great management and fantastic systems in place help that.
I love your term ‘cranking it up and onward’. Passion will outplay anything and everything else.
Keep rockin’, Sherry!
C
Chris, Nice shot. My morning is usually a kick in the face from my 1 year old daughter, followed by 30grams of protein, green tea, shitter, flipboard, breakfast, bike ride to school with the older daughter and emails. Followed by exciting unique daily stuff.
I have just cracked up, Vlad!
Your description, item by item is hilarious… Green teas, shitter……. LMAO.
Like I said, we ALL have our own little ways to get started in the day!
Thanks for commenting, bud.
C
It’s funny that a lot of you start your day with exercise. I find that after waking up around 8am a bowl of cereal with fruit and the news followed by email is much better way to start my day. I am highly productive in the morning hours so I try to maximize that time effectively. I find my workouts are best reserved for mid to late afternoon, around 3pm-5pm. Then I come back have a light dinner (protein shake) and do another work session until about midnight.
As a late night person most of my life, this switch to productive working morning hours has been tremendously successful in the last year. It has made a big impact on my health, but like diet, it does not work for everyone. Just remember to test different schedules out for yourself until you find one that suits you best.
Hi Joe
Really interesting that you’ve switched from being a night owl to a morning person recently. Maybe its ‘the business’ we’re in. I’ve recently done the same thing after coming back from BlogWorld, working a ‘real’ daytime shift, as they say, and I am lovin’ it.
You’re right on the testing of different schedules, etc. – we’re all different at the end of the day.
Thanks for chiming in!
C
I usually start my day with a cup of nicely brewed coffee and blasting some music out from Spotify.
Not nearly as exciting as your routine though… Have to say I am a massive night owl – and require the coffee for a proper kickstart!
Awesome stuff, Charlie. Love the music touch, too.
I’m a big coffee fan, too – trust me. Nothing wrong in that!
Thanks for dropping by.
C