Prepare for the main event
This is a sure-fire way to prevail over procrastination. It pushes you to set your priorities and locks positive habits into your subconscious. Just laying your clothes out the night before decreases your stress level. There is nothing worse than that feeling of haste and ‘oh did I forget something, so choose a positive start to your day.
Prioritise tasks by importance
If we allowed it, our to-do lists would be infinite, so save time and arrange tasks by importance. Ask yourself, what are the consequences of not getting this done today? Number your tasks 1-5. 1 being of no long-term consequences and 5 being severe consequences. Concentrate on tasks 4 & 5 and delegate tasks at levels 1 – 3 to your VA.
Be time disciplined
Plan out your time using a Default Diary (free download request here) separate your time into manageable chunks, such as 15 or 20-minute increments. This allows you to focus on your current task, giving it all of your attention. A disciplined mind makes previous time-consuming distractions a thing of the past.
Find your centre
Take at least 5 minutes each day to collect your thoughts, whether that be first thing in the morning or just before an important sales meeting. This gives you a chance to realign your mind and fully prepare yourself for the day’s events, rather than wasting time on procrastination and what if’s.
Say no, more often
Isn’t everyone just itching for a piece of your time? From social media updates to suppliers, customers, and colleagues, everyone wants a chunk of your precious time. Being strict with your time benefits the whole team. A team that is able to both collaborate successfully and work independently will excel.
Audiobooks, the gift of faster knowledge
Read more. It’s always on the to-do list but where will you find the time? Imagine completing 6 months of reading in 3. Okay, well with audiobooks in the mix you could do it in half that. You can get through an audiobook much faster than a physical book, as you can fit them into your day, whilst you’re getting ready or during your commute.
Delegate, delegate, and delegate
Delegation is the key to growth and it’s easier and cheaper than you think. Outsource your non-income generating work to a VA. They have the flexibility to complete urgent tasks, with little notice and the experience to get them done quickly and efficiently. The time saved by delegation means, yep you guessed it, you can concentrate on tasks that directly make you money!
Is it time for you to speak to a VA? Get in touch today.
Source and recommended reading: Brian Tracey Eat That Frog, Stephen Covey The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People The Guardian New chapter? UK print book sales fall while audiobooks surge 43% | Books | The Guardian
