Ever feel like 24 hours just aren’t enough? Not to mention trying to get everything done in the traditional 8 hour work window! Then there are all the tasks you need to complete when you’re not at work…
We live in busy times, and feeling overwhelmed is common, especially for business owners and entrepreneurs. These are our top tips for being productive, finding more time and getting more done (without burning out):
1. Start The Day Strong
It’s all too easy to reach for your smartphone or turn on the laptop within minutes of waking up. The first hour of your day is crucial in terms of your energy levels and productivity. Healthy, restful sleep followed by exercise, ideally in the fresh air, and a good breakfast are essential.
2. Make A List
At the beginning of each day, make a list of what needs to get done – and ensure the ‘must-dos’ are right at the top.
Be clear on the difference between a goal (end result) and a task (individual action) and check them off as you go. At the end of the day, bask in the glory of your completed list – or if you didn’t get it all done, waste no time on guilt. Simply reprioritise ready for the next morning.
3. Know Your Style
Most of us have a preferred working style.
Some of us work best in sprints – such as the Pomodoro Technique – whereby we perform shorter bursts of focused effort, then take a brief break. For example, 45 minutes on, 15 minutes off. Others prefer marathons – head down on one task for however long it takes to finish. Understand what working rhythm is best suited to your personality, that will help you achieve more, but that won’t cause you to burn out.
4. Master Notifications
We’re surrounded by pings and little red numbers and all manner of device demanding our attention. Be super disciplined in how much you let notifications distract you. Go through your phone and mute or turn off any non-urgent notifications. If necessary, delete distracting apps altogether!
5. Control Your Calendar
When reviewing your daily list, it can be a good idea to include a health check on your calendar for that day – ideally the whole week. Importantly – make sure you block out time (so others can’t block it for you) to focus on your most important tasks. Don’t forget to include breaks – getting up and walking around regularly throughout your working day will boost your energy and productivity.
6. Avoid Perfectionism
Perfection is the enemy of progress. Or as we like to say – done is better than perfect. Be clear on what constitutes ‘good enough’ for any given task, and avoid getting bogged down trying to improve on something you can already check off your list so you can move onto the next tasks.
7. Delegate
Many business owners fall into the trap of believing they need to do everything themselves, leaving them overloaded and exhausted. Delegating or outsourcing frees up your time to focus on the high-value tasks that grow your business, and the ones you enjoy more. Check out our article on Successful Outsourcing for more tips.
If you’d like help finding more time in your day, contact us about our Virtual Personal Secretary Services.
We’d love to make your life easier!