Productivity can be the downfall of many entrepreneurs. Your mind may be bursting with ideas, but you may not know how to effectively manage your time. Also, you may not know how to structure your work and maximize the time you have.
This is natural. Luckily, it is also something you can work on and improve. Productivity is something anyone can master. All it takes is discipline and determination. To help, we have listed six ways that you can remain productive as an entrepreneur – good luck!
1. Take regular breaks
Whilst working hard is important, you MUST take breaks. It may be tempting to work long hours and power through without resting. However, this will ultimately reduce your productivity, and could also damage the quality of your work. Ideally, you should take breaks every few hours. These don’t have to be long breaks – just a 15-minute break to go to the toilet, have a drink and give your mind a short rest.
2. Create and maintain a task list
A list of tasks is one of the best things you can do to organize yourself. Having a task list can also greatly improve productivity. You could write this task list on notepaper. Alternatively, you could use a workflow platform like Trello. These platforms allow you to schedule tasks and keep track of what you need to get done. Trello also allows you to give tasks to others if you have a team of entrepreneurs.
3. Set a regular work schedule and hours
How can you hope to be productive if your working day has no structure? Having unstructured working days, and working long hours can be detrimental to productivity. We advise setting working hours for each day. Also, factor into this regular breaks as mentioned above. You then have a set time each day that you can make use of.
4. Utilize web applications where possible
There is a host of useful web applications like LogoCreator.io that you can use as an entrepreneur. Using web applications saves time as you do not have to install software. You can simply open a web browser and start using the tool immediately. This can greatly improve your productivity and also ensure your computer isn’t slowed-down with large software installation files.
5. Limit your time on social media and games
Whilst social media is vital for business development, it can also be a curse. Social media and mobile games can be devastating distractions. You may be surprised just how much time you spend aimlessly browsing through social media feeds, or playing mobile games. To help your productivity, limit yourself. Allow yourself a set time on social media and games each day. At all other times, keep your smartphone or tablet out of reach so the temptation isn’t there to use it.
6. Set goals and review progress regularly
Lastly, it is important to set goals as an entrepreneur. Setting goals can help with productivity, but it can also help your motivation and mindset. Think about your business. What do you want to achieve? Do you want to build a user base, or make more profit? Once you have dissected what you want, create a set of attainable goals. This gives you focus and drive. Also, you can regularly check your goals and review them – this helps monitor your progress and see what areas of your business you need to improve.
If you master these simple tips, you can improve your productivity exponentially. As a result, you can manage your time better and ultimately accomplish more. Managing your productivity will also ensure that you do not burn out, or waste time on fruitless ventures.