Entrepreneurs wear many hats and juggle many balls. Because of that it’s important to make certain that your days are productive — not just long. Working a 14 or 18 hour day doesn’t necessarily make you a productive entrepreneur, it just makes you one who works long hours.
Here are my tips for making sure your days are productive:
- Have a clear vision of how you want your day to progress and what you need to do
- Break your day down into sectors and tackle your most difficult tasks during your most productive time and those tasks that don’t require so much attention toward your less productive times
- Don’t put too much on your plate. Delegate when you can
- Make your to-do list for the next day before you leave the office
- Cross off those items you’ve completed — it’s a great feeling to see those check marks
- Schedule time to look at your larger goals and make plans to chip away at them
- Make sure you have income-generating activities on your to-do list; in other words, don’t get bogged down in paperwork and forget to reach out to clients and potential clients.
- Take any unfinished tasks, move them to the next day and do them first
Schedule time away from the office. Get out. Get some exercise. Take time to play. Leave the office for networking events and to attend conferences and training. You need to stay top of your game and up to date on all changes in your industry.