Most entrepreneurs are extremely driven people. Setting up and then successfully running your own business takes a lot of time and hard work, and it’s easy to put a lot of pressure on yourself to work longer hours and not take any days off. However, this sort of chronic overwork is extremely damaging to both our mental and physical health, and often leads to problems such as burnout.
So, is the solution to give up? Of course not! The best tactic is to aim for increased productivity, which allows you to make the most of the hours you work and leave plenty of space for some much-needed rest and relaxation. It might seem like that’s easier said than done, but the following tips can help you to boost your productivity and make your entrepreneurial dreams a reality.
Optimize your work environment
Whether you work from home or in a separate office, the first step is to make sure that your desk is optimized for productivity. For example, ensure that you have enough space to work, as well as store all of your stationery and files. Clutter can make it hard to concentrate, so try to keep your work surface clear. Similarly, you will need the lighting to be bright enough to see clearly by, but not cause glare on your computer screen. Natural light is best if possible, but of course this will depend on your physical location.
Another key area to consider is ergonomics, particularly if your job requires you to be sitting at your desk for most of the day. If you’re not comfortable, you will find it harder to focus. Pick out a chair that offers plenty of back support, as well as having adjustable height and arm rests. This will help you to maintain good posture throughout the day and avoid lower back pain.
Eliminate distractions
With your perfect workspace in place, you should think about how to eliminate distractions as much as possible when you’re in it. This is often more challenging for those who work from home. Ensure that you don’t have items such as a TV or games console nearby that might tempt you away from your work, and consider investing in a quality pair of noise-canceling headphones to help you block out distractions you can’t control. If you live with other people, the simple act of shutting the door during work hours can help prevent your housemates or family members from interrupting you. Another option is to have a sign on the door that indicates when you’re on a video call or engaging in some deep work, to make extra sure you’ll be left alone!
Outsource effectively
One issue some entrepreneurs struggle with is the belief that they must do every single task themselves. This is simply not the case and struggling with areas that you’re not proficient in or just don’t enjoy is a sure way to sap your motivation and your productivity. So, if you’ve never considered the possibility of outsourcing before, now might be the time. Not only does it save you precious hours, but it also enables you to benefit from the expertise and technology of professionals. For example, if you’re not confident with computers you could outsource your IT services. Struggling to raise awareness of your brand? This is where a global influencer agency helps. Hate finance? Get someone else to handle your accounts. This will leave you with more time to focus on those aspects of your business that only you can do, as well as the ones that you enjoy the most.
Overcome procrastination
Procrastination is an issue that we all struggle with from time to time, and on bad days it can completely sap our productivity. In essence, procrastination is the act of avoiding or delaying a task in a way that’s unnecessary, irrational or counterproductive. There are many reasons why we do this, but luckily there are also many steps we can take to overcome it. For example:
- Break up intimidating tasks into smaller, more manageable ones
- Try the Pomodoro Technique. This involves working for 25 minutes and then allowing yourself a 5-minute break, and has been shown to help you focus
- Reward yourself when you reach a milestone or mini goal
- Write a clear and detailed to-do list every day, showing the tasks that you need or want to get done. Then tick them off as you go
- Resist the urge to try and multitask, as it actually doesn’t work for most people
- Schedule set times of the day to check your email, and don’t look at your inbox outside of them
- Spend a few hours working in a different location, for example a coffee shop or library
- Track your time closely to help you work out how to use it more wisely
Take advantage of technology
Technology is often blamed for making us less productive, but the truth is that it can help us too. For instance, there are apps you can download that will block you from accessing certain websites (such as social media) which you know distract you when you’re working. Some will even prevent you from accessing the internet altogether, which can be great for times when you need to truly concentrate. Other possibilities include using electronic to-do lists to stay on top of all your tasks and deadlines, as well as specific software to assist with finance and other complex jobs. Lastly, make the most of workplace software such as Zoom, Google Docs and Slack to maintain effective communication with your colleagues and clients.
Embrace mindfulness
Mindfulness has become a hot topic over the last couple of years, and for good reason. It’s not only good for our mental health and wellbeing, but it can also enable us to be more focused, productive and creative. It might sound counterintuitive but slowing down a little can prevent you from making careless mistakes and, therefore, increase your chances of completing all your tasks successfully. If you’re new to mindfulness, here are some of the many ways you can practice it:
- Meditate for five minutes a day
- Do breathing exercises to reduce stress
- Take a walk in nature to clear your head and spark new ideas
- Eat healthily and don’t rush your lunch
- Make time for exercise
- Spend quality time with friends and family
- Get plenty of sleep every night (sleep deprivation is not something to brag about!)
- Have a long bath and let your mind wander
- Use an adult coloring book to reduce anxiety and boost focus
- Journal as a way to work through worries and other negative feelings
- Set aside time to engage in your favorite hobbies
Continue learning
Lifelong education is important for all of us, but it’s particularly beneficial for entrepreneurs who are working at the forefront of their field. Ensuring that you keep up to date with the latest developments and trends in your industry will help to make your company more of a success and save you from wasting your time on outdated ideas, methods or technology. This in turn enables you to be more productive. You can do this by attending conferences and workshops, reading books and blogs, listening to podcasts, watching videos, and talking with other people in your industry.
Similarly, take care to learn from the mistakes you have made in the past so that you don’t repeat them. It’s important to see failure as a learning opportunity, not a disaster, and not to wallow in self-pity if something doesn’t work out quite the way you intended. Achieving optimum productivity is a long journey, so try to enjoy it!
