It can be difficult to motivate yourself at times as an entrepreneur. The good news is that there are daily activities that can aid in developing motivation and thereby, increasing productivity. We’ve previously discussed overcoming challenges in business, and understanding that adversity is not something to fear, but to welcome. In this article, we will emphasize the importance of productivity in achieving business success by outlining five key strategies that can aid in the pursuit of succeeding in business. So, here are five productivity tips for business success that will make a difference…
1. Exercise first thing in the morning
Research has shown that exercise can boost mood and energy, which are crucial for productivity. If exercising first thing in the morning, before having breakfast, it can create energy that flows throughout the entire day. It also relieves any negative emotions or experiences that might have been built up from the previous day so that one can start fresh. Light aerobic exercise of walking or jogging 30 minutes a day is ideal to keep in good shape heart wise and otherwise. If going outside is not possible, jog in place or walk around the house while listening to music for an energetic start to the day.
2. Before going to bed, write out the to-do list for the next day
Similarly to the exercising first thing in the morning idea, having a to do list having a to do list handy the next day will allow for getting right into action without distraction. Falling asleep more easily becomes less of a task because those thoughts of what must be done the next day are already taken care of. When doing this, try to be specific with the to-do list. Baylor University’s sleep neuroscience and condition laboratory conducted a study where they proved this to be true…
“Participants in the to-do list condition fell asleep significantly faster than those in the completed-list condition. The more specifically participants wrote their to-do list, the faster they subsequently fell asleep, whereas the opposite trend was observed when participants wrote about completed activities. Therefore, to facilitate falling asleep, individuals may derive benefit from writing a very specific to-do list for 5 min at bedtime rather than journaling about completed activities.”
3. Get the hardest task out of the way first
Most of us avoid the hardest task we have to do because we know it will not be easy. The problem is that during the day, we keep thinking about it and trying to avoid it which is counterproductive. When handling the most difficult task first, it is possible to relieve all that negative energy throughout the day. Therefore, more productivity is achieved throughout the day once this difficult task is completed.
4. Instead of multitasking, focus on one task at a time
Think about it. It takes time to get into the “focus zone” where there is full concentration placed on a task. Therefore, handling two tasks at once can take longer than handling one fully. When jumping to another task in the middle of handling another, it takes longer to get focused again on the original task. There are times when multitasking can work out very well, but it is difficult to fully attend to either one without being distracted by the other. So try to turn off distractions while working on a task so that it can be completed more quickly!
5. Remember that what you focus on becomes your reality
These productivity tips for business success would not be complete without discussing the importance of focus. If one is experiencing negative emotions that hinders productivity, as in avoiding the hardest task of the day, remember that focus is extremely important. It’s important because wherever you put your focus becomes what your reality is at that moment. So, if focusing in on something negative feels like a heavy weight, similar emotions will follow and it becomes a vicious circle. However, if focusing in for a moment on what you appreciate in your life, you will find yourself looking at things in an entirely different way.
Try to take a few minutes to focus in on something that is great in life, even if it is being able to have the senses of sight and sound to appreciate nature. Whereas some people are not as blessed and might have hearing or vision loss and can’t fully appreciate what you can, it is important to appreciate that. Allow yourself to experience gratitude for whatever it is that is a good thing in your life and that will allow the space to release whatever is causing that heavy weight. This will motivate you to get cracking!
In conclusion, these productivity tips for business success are not just theoretical but can have a significant impact on productivity when implemented. By adopting these daily strategies and observing the changes in productivity levels over time, it will lead to not only more successful ventures but to a more fulfilling life.
