Every entrepreneur of color I know has had a day or two where your to-do list seems endless, and time slips through your fingers. If that sounds familiar, stay tuned for some game-changing tips that will help you conquer your task list with energy and efficiency. Say goodbye to the mid-week slump and hello to a more productive you!
Let’s jump right in:
- Begin with the End in Mind. It only takes a few moments to set your goals and priorities. I start the week by identifying the top three priorities I want to accomplish by week’s end. I call them “big rocks”. No matter what shows up in my week, knowing what to come back to does wonders for my productivity. Try it yourself.
- Do a Brain Dump. Getting started is often the hardest part. Especially when you’re overwhelmed with the day to day of running your business. Get focused by doing a dump of everything in your head. Use stickies to capture everything you have on your plate.
- Keep Only Boss Worthy Tasks for Yourself. After your brain dump, segment tasks into three columns a.) tasks only you can do b.) tasks someone else could do with your assistance and finally c.) tasks others can complete on their own. This will help you focus on what truly matters. Use a project management software such as Trello to delegate tasks to your team and track their progress.
- Organize Your Workspace A cluttered workspace can lead to a cluttered mind. Keep your workspace tidy and organized by having a designated spot for everything. Remove clutter, and only have as many desk supplies as you need for the month. This will promote clarity and streamline your thought process.
- Don’t Multi–task Contrary to popular belief, multitasking isn’t as effective as it seems. Focus on one task at a time to ensure better quality and quicker completion. Dr. Paul Hammerness and Margaret Moore, the brilliant minds behind “Organize Your Mind, Organize Your Life,” a publication from Harvard Health Publishing, share some valuable insights. They point out that juggling multiple tasks at once can actually increase the chances of making mistakes and missing important information and cues. What’s more, multitaskers might find it harder to remember things in their working memory, which in turn can put a damper on problem-solving abilities and cramp up creativity.
- Make the Most of Technology There are countless productivity tools and apps available to help you run your business efficiently. Find the ones that work for you, whether it’s an electronic notebook like Wacom’s Bamboo Slate or
,a time tracking tool like Toggl Track . Just remember, technology should aid your productivity, not hinder it.
- Learn to Say No While it’s great to help others, overcommitting can drain your energy and time. Politely decline tasks that don’t align with your priorities to maintain your focus. A great way to gracefully decline is by expressing appreciation for the opportunity while explaining your current commitments or priorities. For example, you could say, “Thank you so much for thinking of me! I truly appreciate it. However, my plate is quite full right now with [mention your current responsibilities or projects]. I hope you understand my situation.” This approach shows respect for the person making the request while also asserting your boundaries.
- Reflect and Adjust Set aside an hour at the end of each week for a retrospective; use this time to reflect on the week’s accomplishments and identify areas for improvement. Write them down! Sometimes seeing a list of what we have accomplished on paper really brings how much we accomplished in just a week into retrospect. This self-awareness will help you fine-tune your productivity strategies over time.
Remember, growing your business isn’t about working harder but working smarter. By implementing these 8 tips, you’ll be well on your way to mastering your day and achieving your goals with greater ease. So go ahead, supercharge your day and watch your productivity soar!
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