Although entrepreneurs say they want more time each day, what they really want is to be able to get more done with the time they have. Here are 5 suggestions you can implement immediately to get more done in a new section we’re calling “Five on Friday”:
1. Create an accountability calendar. Just like the success dieters enjoy from tracking their food intake, entrepreneurs enjoy greater productivity by journaling their accomplishments. Plus, tracking how you spend your time can be a huge wakeup call to unproductive and wasteful activities. Here’s an example of my accountability calendar yesterday morning (I’m a work in progress):
7:00 – 7:15 am social media posts
7:15 – 7:45 am meeting prep
7:45 – 8:00 am download email
8:00 – 9:00 am networking
9:00 – 10:15 am marketing calls etc etc etc
You get the point. Be sure to take notice of the priorities tied in with short and long term goals.
2. Prioritize your day. Productive days don’t magically happen. They are a result of intentionally planning and prioritizing. How you spend the first 15 minutes of each day sets the tone for a productive or non-productive day. Establish your priorities before downloading your email. You’ll be surprised at how much more productive each day will be.
3. Say “no” or “not now” more often. When you say “no” or “not now”, you simultaneously say ‘yes’ to greater productivity and achievement.
4. Eliminate information that doesn’t concern you. News stories, social media conversations, and general websites may be appealing yet if they contain information you can’t use to achieve your goals, its much better to abolish them from your consumption. Email is the biggest offender of unnecessary information in the form of advertisements, email newsletters, and story or joke sharing. Unsubscribe, automate, and set up filters to control the flow of information coming to you via email.
5. Manage your goals. Those who get things done and get ahead in life learn to be good goal managers. Goal management focuses on planning and prioritizing the day’s activities around your goals…not your time.
What are your top 5 tips for getting more done?
You won’t want to miss an episode of “Five on Friday” when we share down and dirty techniques that you can implement immediately to grow your business. Next week, I’ll be sharing the Five Steps to Goal Management. It’s a real nail biter.
