But really, we need to prioritize our time so we use it to not only get the most done, but the most important things done.
So, as an entrepreneur, how can you be more productivity within the time that you have each day?
Between juggling multiple clients, managing a business and that whole personal life thing, my to-do is never ending. I used to get overwhelmed often.
Then I would spend the rest of my day looking at it, multitasking, and bouncing around from task to task. And not surprisingly, getting very little done at the end of the day.
If you feel like you’re working all the time, but nothing on your to-do list ever seems to get completed, type “me” in the comments.
If you typed “me” just now, you are not alone. We have a lot of pressure as entrepreneurs. We have to be the visionaries and the doers. We switch hats throughout the day to work on different aspects of our business. Most of those parts of our business have systems to help. Our productivity doesn’t have to be any different!
Here are three tricks I’ve been using this year that have really helped. And you can start using them right now to save you time, energy and to-do list shame.
The Top 3 Method
Good things come in threes! So, each day I write down the three most important projects or tasks for the day. I try my hardest not to work on any other items on my list, including going through my inbox, until those are complete.
Sticking to this helps me cross over super important tasks, but also boosts my mood and mentality. It feels so good to push myself to get the most important, and probably most difficult, tasks crossed off my list half way through through the day.
Income
I prioritize tasks that bring in income. What more can I say? A business isn’t a business without income.
This exercise is something I highly recommend in general. It’s important to check-in into the profitablilty of your business often. If something you have been spending loads of time on isn’t contributing to an income stream at all, really think about whether you should be doing it at all. But definitely don’t make it a priority.
Inbox
We spend soooo much time reading emails, and I’ll admit I subscribe to a ridiculous amount of industry newsletters. I was finding myself with 200+ unopened emails on my phone. A constant reminder of how behind I was.
Drop an “oh yes” in the comments if you get inbox anxiety!
First, I’ve taken all work emails off on my phone. You might think this is business blasphemy, but it;s so distracting. Side note, I do have all my email accounts connected on my phone, but I don’t have them constantly turned on.
Just making this one adjustment has been amazing because I’m not being constantly interrupted or distracted with new emails.
Additionally, I have a billion folders (okay more like 100) in my inbox. I file every email that comes in. I only leave those that are unopened, need to be followed up on, or are high priority in my inbox.
The moral of this story: Balancing a business with the rest of life can be challenge. It’s a constant work in progress. But it’s important check-in with the health of your business, marketing efforts, and your mindset around all of it.
[optin-monster-shortcode id=”ykrrilz7xghrp2zbzmsb”]Until next time… stay ambitious!
