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Gain an hour back each day with these 5 tips

1. Batch tasks
Most of the time taken in doing a task is in getting started. Setting up, gathering resources, gathering your thoughts and  your beverage of choice. Once you’ve started writing that report, calling the list of people etc you create momentum. This is the secret power you want to harness- momentum. Eliminate the constant stop-start that makes tasks take longer than they need to by batching tasks. Batch all of your correspondence or calls to be done at the same time, write all the reports you need to for the week at one time. Do all your planning at one time. You get the idea. The key is to do multiples of the exact same task and tasks that require similar skills to keep the momentum flowing.
 
2. Turn off your phone

Did I just say that out loud? Yes, I did. In case you need instructions: Take your index finger and press on the power button and hold… Okay joking aside, this will  change your life. Your phone is your biggest distraction (and yes also a great business tool, but I’ll get to that later). Try turning it off for just 40 minutes. That’s all it takes. See how much you get done in that time. To address the expected resistance against this, let me respond now to your anticipated response… “But my phone is my business, I don’t want to lose a sale” and ” my clients need me, I must be available for them”. You won’t lose a sale, you will call them back. You don’t need to be available 24/7 to give great support to clients. Again, call them back when you’re doing all those batched correspondences!

3. Restrict your meetings

Meetings are necessary and they are important. But you need to reign them in, just a little. Set a specific duration for your meetings and aim to wrap up at that time. Don’t commit to unnecessary meetings. Every meeting should be necessary and have a very clear purpose or outcome.
 
4. Dont check email until midday

Yes, I did it again. Asking you to part ways with technology. I do love technology and it makes our lives more productive and connected…unless it’s taking over your life! Email is the perfect example. Here’s a hard fact: most emails we receive are essentially someone else’s agenda. You don’t want to start the day with some else’s agenda, you want to start with yours. Work on your top 2 goals instead and open email at midday. See how productive you become!

5. Don’t do everything!

What do I mean by that? Don’t complete your work? Expect less from yourself? No. I’m saying everything that you think you need to do, you don’t need to do. Don’t treat all tasks the same because they are not. You need to prioritize what needs to be done and focus on your top 3 priorities, your Power Priorities. This will make the biggest impact and save you time wasted splitting your focus into 10 different tasks.  Do your top 3, then batch the other lesser tasks for later in the day or on a specific day of your week.