"Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains." -- Steve Jobs
Whether you are going it solo in your business or you have a team, there comes a time when everyone feels more rushed and stressed than they would like. You have busy lives with work and home. That is why the busier you are, the more important it is to prioritize and simplify! That is especially true when you reach the end of a hectic day or week and feel as if you accomplished very little or even nothing.
Here are some strategies you can take action on immediately to simplify your day:
Instead of trying to get everything on your to-do list done, take time to focus on the items that will create the greatest impact on your business today!
Distractions are the second biggest challenge in your day
It’s easy to become distracted by your email, social media, notifications, and life in general. Take the necessary steps to avoid being distracted by checking your emails only a few times a day, the same for social media, and turning off your notifications on your computer and your mobile device while working. You also want to let your family know your working hours and if you have an office, keep the door close, so they will know you are working.
Schedule everything on your calendar
Your calendar is something you should work by every day. Included should be what you do before starting work and after your day ends. When you create the habit of working from your calendar, it makes for more productive days. You will not waste time deciding what to work on next because you have already laid out your day.
Take stock of your day
As you begin the process of creating strategies to simplify your day. It’s important to reflect back on the day to see how the day went and what could have been handled better at the end of your day. If you felt overwhelmed, think about what could have been avoided?
Take breaks when needed
While you may not see this as making your day simpler, it will feel like it is. The most effective work schedule is working for approximately 2 hours, followed by a 20-30 minute break for most people. Studies show that you’ll get more done.
Simplifying your day is one of the best ways to get more done while feeling less frustrated or overwhelmed. No matter how much you have to do, remember that only a couple of those tasks are truly critical.
Begin now by focusing on the most important tasks related to your vision, goals, and, most importantly, revenue generation. Limit your distractions and live by your calendar.
You now have strategies that can help you start the process of prioritizing the most important things to create a simpler, distraction-free day.
Here’s to your strategically prioritized success!
Download the business goal journal to get started with the process of staying focused for the first quarter of this new year.