As an entrepreneur it can often feel like there is so much to do and so little time and money to get it all done. The stress it causes can feel like a turbulent roller coaster swaying left and right, up and down, with no obvious end to the cycle of being broke and exhausted. And, though always busy, the feast and famine financial struggle is a direct reflection of what’s not going right in your business despite your efforts.
It can be difficult to stay inspired and keep building momentum when you’re not seeing the results you believe you deserve. However, there is a solution that will lead you to more time and more money.
“People think focus means saying yes to the thing you’ve got to focus on. But that’s not what it means at all. It means saying no to the hundred other good ideas that there are.” – Steve Jobs
When your mind is busy working on getting things done and not properly focused on what you’re doing intrusions begin to mess with your thinking. New thoughts and ideas will begin to dominate your attention span. Your tasks will take longer to accomplish and the work you’re producing probably won’t be your best stuff. The longer it takes you to get something done the less money you’ll be making because you won’t have the time available to do what it takes to earn it.
You don’t know what you don’t know till you learn you didn’t know it.
When you know what to do, when to do it and why you’re doing it, it becomes easy to commit to your goals and tasks every day. Unfortunately, in many situations, the actions we think we need to take aren’t actually leading us to the end results we want. We often think we know what to do until it’s too late and we learn we’ve been keeping busy in all of the wrong ways.
With that said, here are five strategic ways to use your time more effectively so you can stop losing money.
1. Create a daily segmented “to-do” list
One of the most effective strategies to improve productivity is to create a to-do list. It becomes very easy to do lots of little things that don’t amount to much. This list should be broken down into small tangible tasks that are segments of a bigger project or goal. As each task is completed, you are one step closer to achieving the end result. Your to-do list is your tool to keep your focus on track for both short term and long term agendas.
2. Set aside potential “time-sucker” time
Social distractions are one of the most detrimental additions to our daily routines. It is very difficult to be productive when you’re being pulled to your phone every two minutes. Doing this consistently will improve your productivity drastically and keep you focused on your task.
3. Create an unconventional daily routine
In order for you to do your best work you must be in a routine that works for you. Know your power time and work around it. Don’t schedule high functioning tasks when it’s the toughest part of your day. But, don’t forget to schedule some flex time into your routine too. It may take a while to figure out the schedule that works best for you so make adjustments as you need to.
4. Delegate the little things
Your time is money and just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should be doing it. If you’re time is worth $200 per hour and you’re running to the store every day for photocopies, you’re literally paying $200 per hour for a job that should only cost a fraction of that. You could hire a part time assistant or have them delivered while you concentrate on doing the things that are worth your time. Staying productive while getting the errands accomplished can be done in lots of creative ways and result in a better use of your time and your money.
5. Choose to be excellent instead of perfect
Too often people sabotage themselves by trying to be perfect. Perfectionism can result in creating impossible tasks while becoming overwhelmed or stressed. However, those that strive for excellence find it easier to overcome obstacles and take failures as an opportunity to learn. When you maintain a positive mindset about what you’re working on it will ultimately leads to greater productivity and earning opportunities.
Just a few minutes a day incorporating these strategies into your daily routine will make a massive impact not just in your business but in your everyday life. Time and money are two of your biggest assets on your way to becoming successful. Don’t let distractions rob you of them.