Being an entrepreneur you will soon realize the limitations of time available each day to get things done. On the other hand you will have a countless list of things to do and accomplish. Getting all your tasks done efficiently and in time can be overwhelming. It is hence, imperative that you find ways to make the best use of time in hand and improve your output.
There are many simple tips that you can adopt to boost your discipline as well as your productivity as an entrepreneur. You can’t change habits or instill new routines, overnight. Take one small step, cultivate one constructive habit, change one unfavourable routine and see the difference it brings to the table. Always remember that even small improvements can transform into a huge increase in productivity.
Set your goals and be accountable
You need to have a clear vision of what your goals are and what you hope to accomplish. Break your goal into small, doable steps. Prepare your to-do list everyday. Writing down these steps on paper will help you manage your tasks with discipline. Find an accountability partner to help you stay on the path to getting your work done. It can be regular reporting to a co-worker or establishing deadlines; the point is, having to answer to someone else can drive you to get the job done on time.
Technology, a boon and a bane
Today’s world is filled with web-based technologies, product management tools and custom based applications, many of which would be integral to your business. You should keep up with the technological developments to ensure that your business is taking advantage of the latest innovations to improve productivity. At the same time, computers can slow you down and distract you from your work. You must actively remove such distracting factors from your environment to keep your concentration intact. This also includes staying off social media, and assigning specific time to check and reply to the emails.
Know and take care of yourself
Do the most challenging tasks, when you are at your best. It differs from person to person. Some of you might be fresh and energetic in the early mornings, but for others, late evenings might be the most constructive time. Identify your peak productivity time and do your most demanding tasks at that time of the day. Know yourself, your physical and mental health and well being. Being productive does not mean working all the time. Give yourself well timed breaks so that you do not burn out. Take a walk, go to the gym, take a nap, listen to music or read a book – whatever works the best for you.
Keep your focus straight and simple
Multitasking may seem like a great way to get more done but the problem with split focus is that the quality of your work might suffer. When you are distracted, you become less productive. Don’t try to do many things in bits and pieces. Find the most important tasks, the 20% of your activities that yield 80% of the results. Do those diligently. Map out your week realistically. Assigning realistic times to tasks is important to stay focused and to prioritize properly. You can also outsource trivial tasks that are time-consuming, which will allow you to focus on more important and urgent assignments.
A positive mind and work space
An entrepreneur, especially in the initial stages, will have fair share of doubt, fear, anxiety and worry about the future. Pacify yourself with a self-affirmations and positive thinking. Your work space, including your desk can also help with your mind set. In fact, your physical workspace can have a big effect on productivity. Remove the piles of stuff accumulating on your office desk, organize your work space and keep your desk clear except for the project in hand.
A day has only 24 hours. How effectively you manage those 24 hours will be vital in determining your success. Hence, it is essential that new entrepreneurs inculcate and improve on these habits, to boost their discipline as well as their output. Try one step to start with, slowly exploring and building up the strategies that work the best for you. Concentrating on these concepts will help you through your workday and ultimately put you on the right path to success!
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