For entrepreneurs, maximized productivity is equal to higher profits and more time for the most sought after “work-life balance”. The more we get things done, the more we can afford and have the time to do the things we like with the people we love.
Entrepreneurs wear different hats. So, it can be challenging to really focus on ticking off tasks on your to-do lists.
Do you struggle with productivity? Here are 5 no nonsense productivity tips to help you:
5-no-nonsense-productivity-tips-for-entrepreneurs
Tip 1: Be clear about your goals.
It is really important to be clear about your goals. But of course, it is not expected that you’d nail it the first time.
There are 3 things that you can do to be clear about your goals:
- First, create braindumps whenever you can. Writing down everything that is in your mind will help you de-clutter your brain. Plus, a written goal serves as a powerful reminder every time you seem to lose track or get demotivated.
- Second, set S.M.A.R.T. goals. Your goals should be S-pecific, M-easurable, A-ttainable, R-ealistic, and T-ime Bound. S.M.A.R.T. goal setting gives you structure, clear milestones and better estimate of your goal’s attainability.
- Mindtools provides more information about S.M.A.R.T. goal setting here.
- Third, practice visualizing what you want to achieve. See your goal in your head. Feel it. Smell it. Hear it. If it helps, create a vision board and make sure you see it often. This will help you to be more keen to the opportunities available to you which will aid you in achieving your goals.
Want more information about visualization? Read this article by Jack Canfield.
Tip 2: Learn to say “No.”
Acknowledge the fact that you can not please everybody nor do anything for everybody all the time.
To keep it simple, say “no” if it will not help you in achieving your short/long-term goals.
There is no reason to feel guilty for saying “no”. Just be polite and at the same time straightforward in declining people’s request.
It will help to always be ready with your “I-am-saying-no-script” and a smile.
Bottomline is saying “no” will help you keep your focus and be productive.
Read “The Power of No” to learn more about the importance of saying “no.”
Tip 3: Use your calendar and schedule meetings
Remember that to be productive, your goals must be time-bound. What better way to be time-bound than to use your calendar.
Keeping a calendar shouldn’t be complicated. The goal is for you to start early and finish on time. Allot hours for work and time-offs as well. Staying on schedule eliminates the stress of multitasking.
Make sure you have uninterrupted focus when you are in the process of accomplishing your goals by scheduling meetings. Resist the temptation to hold impromptu meetings unless an urgent matter needs to be discussed. Also, don’t accept meetings without clear agenda.
Tip 4: Delegate tasks
As much as you would want to claim that you can do everything on your own, the truth is, you can’t. Avoid spreading yourself too thin. This will do you no good.
Learn to let go of tasks that are sucking the life out of you because you are either not good at it or it takes too much of your time.
Delegating is good for your team too because you can pass on tasks that can help them grow. You can assign a team member a project with a streamlined process. This is a sure-fire way to accomplish tasks on time.
Tip 5. Be kind to yourself
Carve some time for yourself. You deserve it. And honestly, you need it. Take time to pursue a hobby, read a good book, exercise or meditate.
Go offline. Unplug yourself from the digital world. Don’t check your emails. And live as if you know nothing about Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.
Also, be forgiving to yourself. There will be days that you will not be as productive as the other. That is completely fine. Don’t beat yourself up.
Do you have any productivity tips to share? We’d love to hear about it.