We all get those times when we have so much to do but time is short. With Easter just around the corner, many of us are on a 4 day week this week and that means it’s even more important to have a clear focus on what you want to achieve.
Here’s are a few tips to help you out.
Write down all the things you want to achieve during the time that you have
Think of all the essentials you must do and then the non-essentials that you’d really like to get done.
Block out times for the essentials that have to be done at a certain time
This could be things like paid client calls, meetings, collecting the kids from school, a weekly show…
These are likely to be essentials that you can’t shift so you definitely need to plan everything else around them.
General weekly tasks
Most of us have general weekly tasks to complete. For me, I have blog posts that I need to write and certain social media commitments. So I need to ask myself what is really important and what’s not. Only do the really important things.
Then get straight onto your priority work (next)
What is your number one priority
Think about all of the things you want to achieve and have to do. Which of these things is your number one priority?
So this is not your essential time specific things that we looked at above, but it should be an essential to move your business forward.
For me, my number one priority is to complete my Law of Attraction Business Planning Worksheets (due for release on Thursday 24th March 2016)
Mark this task as number 1
Then decide which is your second most important task and number it 2 and continue 3,4….
When time is short, go with the focus on one rule
Pick your task and focus on only that task right through to completion or a set point.
So right now my focus on one is to complete this blog post. Once it’s written and images added etc, I’ll take 10 minutes on social media. Then back to the blog for proofreading before publishing and promoting. Task completed.
The next task is straight onto my LOA worksheets. I’ll complete the full worksheet I’m working on and then take a 5-10 minute break.
Everything doesn’t have to get done.
Remember – Key time specific essentials, weekly must-do tasks and priority projects. Cut out anything you can during this time and exercise your “NO” muscle.
Look after yourself tips
When time is short it’s even more essential to look after yourself.
- Keep hydrated – drink some water every hour.
- Get up and get moving at regular intervals, even just for a few minutes – it will help you be more productive.
- Eat well. Definitely don’t skip meals but try to opt for foods that will help you stay focused. Go for a healthy breakfast, lunch and evening meal, with a couple of small healthy snacks in between.
- Get enough sleep. If I know I have a really heavy workload I try to get 8 hours sleep. I know some of you will be saying “No way can I do that!” Believe me, I used to try (not very successfully) to survive on about 5-6 hours a night and it really didn’t work. When I started forcing myself to get to bed and sleep earlier, I became so much more productive. So if you can, get plenty of sleep. For those of you with really small children who don’t allow this, my love and support goes out to you, just know it does get easier and grab time where you can.
- If it all starts to feel a bit too much, take a few nice deep breaths, get up and shake it out. Seriously just shake, wiggle, jiggle. When we get stressed we hold ourselves rigid, so loosen up and let your body relax. Calm your mind and refocus.
I hope you have a fantastic week.
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Wendy
Fantastic for helping me keep on focus, Wendy! I appreciate you sharing how your doing this for the week. I always have so much to do and run out of time so I have to keep what’s highly important first. I normally spend some time in morning connecting on my social media and a few more times during the day. I also try to check my pages and interact if others have visited. Gives me a break actually from this #1 focus I have to keep myself to. I do have a little one during the day so tend to her as well but gives me opportunity to get up and move around. If I don’t stretch and move around seems to hamper my productivity. My #1 focus is I have a test on my landing page today to make sure it’s set up right and then on to the ad. I’ve kept my focus consistently so know that what your sharing pays off. Your sharing reminds me to keep it wrote done what I must do and finish it to completion being careful of distractions.
Great tips! It’s all about prioritizing and knowing what needs to be accomplished first. I have to follow a lot of these tips otherwise I would always be overwhelmed with things. Great post!
Another fab blog post Wendy. Time is short for all of us, so these tips are brilliant! Worked all day yesterday to try and get ahead for the short week this week! So fingers crossed we can keep it up. Have shared on twitter and LinkedIn. Thanks Laura
Thanks Laura.
Thanks Cara.
That’s great to hear Cindy. Things seem to be coming along well for you.
Finding time for thing can be tough but these are great tips
Thanks Neely. Have a great week.
Thanks Wendy. I am going through. Doing my best to enjoy the journey rather than let obstacles depress me. Hit some more obstacles today but have come to the conclusion that success is mine and I won’t give up:)
Thanks Wendy. I am going through. Doing my best to enjoy the journey rather than let obstacles depress me. Hit some more obstacles today but have come to the conclusion that success is mine and I won’t give up:)
I follow a lot of these! They are great tips! 🙂
I follow a lot of these! They are great tips! 🙂
Thanks Alicia, hope you’re having a great week.
Thanks Alicia, hope you’re having a great week.
One of my favourite sayings is “Keep your eye on the prize” This is something I feel is essential in business and life. When you keep your focus on what you are trying to achieve and keep a track of what you’ve already achieved, you’ll be able to ride the set backs.
One of my favourite sayings is “Keep your eye on the prize” This is something I feel is essential in business and life. When you keep your focus on what you are trying to achieve and keep a track of what you’ve already achieved, you’ll be able to ride the set backs.
I couldn’t agree with you more. Thanks Wendy!
I’m really bad at figuring out what’s essential and what’s not and so I don’t always use my time wisely..
Thanks Cindy.
Try this. Write down all the things you want/need to do in your business – Number them 1, 2, 3….
Then ask is 1 more important than 2? tick the one that’s more important. Then is one more important than 3….
Continue comparing one with all and then go to 2. Is 2 more important or 3, 2 or 4?
Hope that makes sense.
I’ve found this really powerful. Add up all the ticks and you’ll find your most important tasks.