We're conditioned in work and growing up in school that we're supposed to be productive for 1/3 of the day. Is that necessarily true for everybody? Absolutely not, but it covers a large percentage of the population. To be truly productive you have to first break away from the conditioned mindset we're fed right when taking our first steps towards that school door.
Time Management Tips #1: Work During YOUR Most Productive Time Of Day
When it comes to work, the standard amount of time we're supposed put in is 9-5, eight hours, right? And when we're in school we're supposed to wake up at 7 or 8 a.m. in the morning and get out in the afternoon.
I personally know plenty of people who couldn't produce anything worthwhile until 1 o'clock in the afternoon, let alone early in the morning. As an entrepreneur, you have to understand that you're the boss and you have the option to break out of this time management pattern to form your own.
Take a look at when you are the most focused throughout the day. It may be the morning because you've been conditioned to being productive then, or it may be at 3 in the afternoon. Whatever time you're most productive throughout the day capitalize on that and work in that time frame.
You'll get twice as much done if you work better in the afternoon than you would if you tried it at 7 in the morning.
Time Management Tips #2: Avoid Distractions At All Costs
The number one killer of productivity and small business time management is distractions and in this day and age there are plenty of them.
When you sit down to take care of your business to-do-list take a few of these things into consideration. Turn off the TV! If you're watching something interesting on TV are you really going to focus on writing that article or email? Turn off the cell phone - tough pill to swallow, I know, because you could be missing an important call. That's what your voicemail is for. When you're done with what you have to do you can turn it back on and call them back if you like.
For most entrepreneurs email is the hardest one to shut down, because there might be a customer trying to reach you, and you might miss the opportunity to complete an order that very second! That's how I felt and I'm sure you can relate, but like the cell phone, an email will remain there until you check it out. You may lose a customer in the process, but you only want quality customers who give you a chance. If you lose one that won't give you that, you're probably better off.
Time Management Tips #3: Find Out What Makes Your Body & Mind Sync Together
There's nothing better than having complete harmony with your mind and body when it comes to completing a task, while avoiding distractions. Find out what makes that connection happen and live in that state when you're handling your business.
For example, I noticed that my best workouts would come the day after I watched The Biggest Loser or right after having one of my bi-monthly "bad days" (I don't know why I work out best after eating burgers the day before but hey, it works). From then on I tried to watch a clip of something like The Biggest Loser before a workout, to get my mind and body ready for a brutal workout.
The "bad day" isn't something I do every day or every week, but I know how I feel the day after and it makes me want to work harder.
Once you find what makes you click, establish a routine with it and incorporate that into your time management.
Your content will be top notch and it'll take you much less time if you find a way to apply these 3 time management tips into your workday!
