Today’s distractions can make getting work done on time a challenging task. Here is how entrepreneurs “get their work done.”
1. They are expert “starters”: The key to getting things done is to start. You don’t have to start at the beginning. Pick the easiest entry point. For example, when I write an article, I often start at the middle or end. If you are thinking of starting a business but have no idea how to get going, start with the one thing you do understand and then go from there.
“What we truly need to do is often what we most feel like avoiding.” ― David Allen, Ready for Anything: 52 Productivity Principles for Getting Things Done
2. They don’t believe in 100% productivity: Working flat out for very long periods is counter-productive. Studies at the Center for Brain Health in Dallas and elsewhere show that our brain’s neurons like to work hard, but then need a break. When your mind starts to wander, take the break it needs. Don’t feel guilty.
3. They know that being “busy” doesn’t necessarily mean being productive: If I spend a few hours on social media, I feel like I am doing something, but often, nothing is getting accomplished. Busyness and productivity are two different things. Successful people put most of their time into what’s important.
Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration, the rest of us just get up and go to work.” – Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
4. They always get help: Successful people in leadership and management are paid in large measure, not for doing tasks, but for their responsibilities. The only way they can ensure a lot of things get done is to do it through other people. Think “teamwork” not “I can do everything myself.” By not delegating, you are robbing people of the opportunity to learn and grow.
5. They multi-task, but sequentially: For many of us, working on one thing too long zaps us of energy. Moving from project to project, as long as you devote a reasonable length of time on each one, is a good way to move several files simultaneously. Proper multi-tasking is not doing a lot of things at the same time, rather, it’s moving from one project to the next, still maintaining total focus on each one.
Cell phones, mobile e-mail, and all the other cool and slick gadgets can cause massive losses in our creative output and overall productivity.” ― Robin S. Sharma
6. They “batch” their projects: U.S. TV host and writer Chris Hardwick is like us – involved in many projects at once. His key to not going insane is to “batch” projects that are similar in nature. If the decisions and work are closely related, you can tackle them in one sitting.
7. They unplug…often: Arianna Huffington, co-founder of the Huffington Post, once worked so hard and so long that she fainted and struck her head on her desk, breaking her cheekbone. We live in a workaholic society. There is pressure to be a productivity nut, but the costs can be high. Successful people set aside enough time for recreation, rest and sleep to avoid burnout and enhance the quality of their work.
8. They downsize: One successful strategy is to tackle fewer projects. When Steve Jobs returned to Apple, the first thing he did was to remove many of the company’s products to focus on just a few.
It stands to reason: Higher wages means higher loyalty and morale, which means higher productivity, which means a more profitable business.” ― Thomas Perez
9. They say the word NO, often: Be jealous of your time. Famous investor Warren Buffet put it best: “You’ve gotta keep control of your time and you can’t unless you say no. You can’t let people set your agenda in life.”
10. They start their day in the outdoors: Many successful people start their day with a jog. Others simply take a walk. The fresh air and closeness to nature sets the right mood for a day of getting things done.
Cory Galbraith is CEO of Galbraith Communications and a 30-year veteran of business ownership.
