As a small business owner, it can be challenging to keep yourself motivated and productive every day. However, your business success often depends on your productivity. Therefore, these are a few tips to help you increase your daily production.
Learn During Your Commute
Many of today’s business owners and employees commute to work. However, this is unproductive time because it is difficult to do anything meaningful while you are focused on driving. Fortunately, you can take this time to listen to podcasts or digital audiobooks.
You also have other periods of time when you can learn new things, such as when you are cooking dinner or in the car running errands. Take this time and work on your personal and professional goals by learning something new. You can also just gain motivation and new insight by listening to inspirational stories and individuals.
Save Email for Work
It is tempting to get up and immediately check your voicemail and emails. However, you need time to wake up and start your day right. Whether you do a full workout, eat a complete breakfast and help your kids off to school or get up and spend time relaxing as you prepare for the day, your morning routine is important; it gets you ready for any challenges you may face.
Therefore, take the time you need during the morning to prepare. Avoid looking at or responding to emails and phone messages.
Create Deadlines
It is difficult to maintain your drive and motivation if you don’t have SMART goals. Therefore, create goals that you can achieve, but set deadlines for their achievement. Then, build blocks of time into your schedule where you work specifically on these goals. Do not allow disturbances during these periods, unless a valid emergency occurs. Avoid scheduling meetings, turn off your phone and email and commit to your tasks.
Prioritize Your Tasks
You should also take time each morning to prioritize your to-do list. You may choose three jobs that absolutely have to be done that day, but be sure to set priorities for your remaining duties. It can be tempting to get the quick, easy things out of the way first, but if they aren’t the most pressing, you can waste time and miss key deadlines.
If you have big projects on your list, consider breaking them down into manageable steps. Large tasks can be overwhelming, but quick tasks are easy and fun to complete.
Your morning routine often determines your daily productivity, so start your day out right and consider adding a few of these strategies so you are more productive.