Hello Chasers,
Being productive is essential for small business owners, particularly if you have a team.
With limited resources and time, it’s important to make the most of every opportunity. But with so many demands on your attention, it can be difficult to stay focused and productive.
This has been so true for me when I decided to write my second book, Starting the Dream! – How to Avoid a Nightmare When You Start a Business.
In a survey I read about by Joseph Epstein, 81% of people believe that they had a book that they wanted to write. But the reality was that only 0.4% of people actually write and publish their book – the rest just talk about the idea of it.
I am pleased to say that I’m part of this 0.4% cohort because, like them, I was able to take massive action on my goals because they aligned with where I am in life and allowed me to hit the productivity sweet spot by getting “in the zone” on a regular basis.
But this just doesn’t happen automatically.
I have a framework which puts me in a position to align all my physical, mental, and emotional resources toward achieving this goal of writing and publishing a book.
This same framework is what I use for my business and can be used by anyone in creating your ideal future.
As Tony Robbins says, energy flows where attention goes. To get what you really want in life, you need a clear goal that has purpose and meaning behind it. Once this is in place, you can focus your energy on the goal and become obsessive about it. When you learn how to focus your energy, amazing things happen.
Productivity is a skill that you can learn.
There are three key pillars of productivity that, if mastered, can help you achieve greater success.
These pillars are:
- Time management: This is the ability to effectively plan and use your time. It includes setting goals, prioritising tasks, and creating schedules.
- Energy management: This is the ability to manage your physical and mental energy levels so that you can perform at your best. It includes things like getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly.
- Attention management: This is the ability to focus on the tasks at hand and avoid distractions. It includes things like setting boundaries, eliminating distractions, and taking breaks when needed.
Time management
The first step to effective time management is to set realistic goals. What do you want to achieve in a day, week, month, or year? Once you have your goals, you can start to prioritize your tasks. Decide which tasks are most important and urgent – focus on those first. We use a 90-Day Action Plan for tracking and keeping to this.
It’s also important to create schedules and stick to them as much as possible. This will help you stay on track and avoid distractions. If you find yourself getting off track, take a few minutes to regroup and refocus.
Energy management
Your energy levels play a major role in your productivity. If you’re tired or stressed, you’re less likely to be able to focus and get things done. That’s why it’s important to manage your energy levels carefully. An hour intensive gym session at 6:00am at Body Blitzer Fitness Centre works well for me.
Make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, and exercising regularly. You should also take breaks throughout the day to rest and recharge. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, take a few minutes to relax and clear your head.
Attention management
In today’s world, it’s easier than ever to get distracted. There are notifications from your phone, emails, social media, and more. All of these distractions can take away from your productivity.
One way to manage distractions is to set boundaries. For example, you might decide to check your phone only once an hour or to turn off social media notifications while you’re working. You can also try eliminating other distractions, such as noise and clutter.
Another important aspect of attention management is taking breaks. When you work for long periods of time without a break, your focus starts to wane. Get up and move around every 20-30 minutes to avoid getting bogged down. My smartwatch tells me when I need to stand and walk around.
Mastering the 3 pillars of productivity
Mastering the 3 pillars of productivity takes time and effort. But it’s an investment that will pay off in the long run. By following the tips above, you can improve your time management, energy levels, and focus. And as a result, you’ll be able to get more done and achieve your goals more quickly.
Additional tips for small business owners who are struggling with productivity:
Delegate tasks. If you have the ability to delegate tasks, do it! This will free up your time so that you can focus on the most important things.
Outsource tasks. If you don’t have the time or skills to do a particular task, outsource it to a freelancer or contractor.
Take breaks. It’s important to take breaks throughout the day, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Get up and move around, or do something that you enjoy.
Reward yourself. When you complete a task or goal, reward yourself with something you enjoy. This will help you stay motivated and productive.
Running a small business is hard work, but it’s also very rewarding. By mastering the 3 pillars of productivity, you can set yourself up for success.
If you would like to learn more about maximising your productivity, our business coaching program is designed to help you accelerate your success. Contact Shannae Hewett on 55612643 to find out more.
Have a great day!
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