Written by: Susanne Grant, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
2020 has been a tough year, and it's no wonder if you are feeling drained. Have you completely lost your mojo? Is your work-life balance just whatever/whenever? And are boundaries non-existent? You are not alone!
It's time to clear the overwhelm and uncertainty and get back in alignment with your big vision for 2020. As 2020 isn't over just yet...
These are the best productivity hacks for business owners to finish 2020 with a bang!
Productivity hack No.1 - Get Clear On Your Goals
It is very easy to get stuck in the pattern of just getting things done. But there is a difference between being busy and being productive. Stop and re-evaluate your goals. What would you like to accomplish before the end of the year? Have an epic final sale? Onboard 2 more clients? Get ready to launch your latest program? Make sure to set a realistic goal and start working towards it!
Productivity hack No.2 - Plan Ahead
With your goal(s) in mind from hack No.1, you need to come up with a plan that can be easily executed. Break it down into actionable steps. For December, I would recommend planning your goal, breaking it down per week, and daily activities — from broad to detailed. BUT keep in mind to plan in time for family and quality time as well. You don't want to be working during your Christmas dinner just to hit your goals. Make time for fun and play too (more on that later).
Productivity hack No.3 - Prioritise Properly
As I said with hack No.1, there is a difference between being productive and being busy. Just because something is on your to-do list doesn't mean it has to be done. Learning to prioritize properly is KEY to creating the most momentum in your business. I like to think about it this way. What is the number No.1 thing I can do today that will have the biggest impact? Think about it in terms of ROI (return on investment). Put your energy towards activities that have the biggest return. You will move mountains in no time.
“You don’t have to work yourself into a breakdown to prove you are worthy and dedicated. You are most effective when your cup is full and overflowing! You must come first. Always.” — Susanne Grant
Productivity hack No.4 - Say No
This is a tricky one, and many struggle with this. So, if this resonates with you, please know you are not alone! Saying no to things that are not in alignment with your goals can feel strange at first. But if you want to focus and get the most out of the last few weeks of the year, you’ve got to focus on what YOU want to achieve. I know it sounds very logical but doing this effectively is the biggest stumble block I see my clients make. Let me phrase it differently for you: If it doesn't directly relate to your goal, you've got to say no, or not now. Most things can wait until the new year if, of course, you want to do it. Just say no and keep repeating hack No.3 to prioritize your to-dos.
Productivity hack No.5 - Have Clear Boundaries
With most of us working from home, or partially, it becomes easy to do whatever through your day. But if you want to be as productive as you can be, you've got to put clear boundaries in place. Communicate with other members of your household (if it applies) and come up with a plan that works for all involved. Communication is key if you want to make this step successful. Don't assume other people around you know what it is you need to be able to fully show up in your business. Communicate, don’t wait.
Productivity hack No.6 - Start Time Blocking
We humans are funny beings, and the truth is we can only focus for certain lengths of periods at a time. After 1.5-2 hours, your focus starts to drop, which means this would be the perfect time for a break. See hack No.2 — include them in your plans! Stretch, move, hydrate, and get some fresh air. It will make you feel great and, therefore, more productive. And as an extra tip to help you, I find that for every 2-hour block you work, you can ask yourself the ROI question again "what is the number No.1 thing that will have the biggest impact?". Rinse and repeat!
“Rest is a productivity activity.” — Susanne Grant
Productivity hack No.7 - Stop multitasking
Multitasking makes you a whopping 40% less productive and often reduces the quality of your work as well. If you want to up your productivity game, focus on one No.1 single task at the time. Close the door, turn off any notifications of your phone and computer. They are very distracting and will not help you achieve your goal faster. Take charge and make things easy for yourself. It’s allowed, you know!
Productivity hack No.8 - Batch activities
When you are working, it is a lot easier to focus on similar tasks at the time, rather than doing similar small tasks every day. So, what do I mean by that? For example, you can start batching your social media content. You can use apps to help you schedule your content in one go. It's easy, effective, and highly productive. And it allows you to focus the rest of your time on your goals from hack No.
Productivity hack No.9 - Prioritise Good Night Sleep
You know you perform better when you've had a good night sleep, eat well, and exercise. More fun, more profits, more joy, more quality time. Right? Make your health and wellbeing your priority, and your future self will thank you for it.
There are only so many hours in a day, but you can get more out of your day if you learn how to spend your time wisely. These hacks are meant to support you achieve your goals, become more productive, and have plenty of time left for self-care, family, and time for fun. If you want to grow your business in 2021, but you are stuck on the number of hours you can work. Get in touch. I can help you grow your business by doing less. Get ready to have your cake and eat it too (yummy chocolate)!
Connect with Susanne on LinkedIn. You can find out more at grantmethod.com and sign up for her newsletter for her latest tips and tricks to help you scale your business in 2021 without putting in more hours.
Susanne Grant, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Susanne Grant is a Work-Life Balance Expert, Intuitive Business Coach & Consultant, International No.1 Bestselling Author and 2020 Great British Entrepreneur Awards Finalist. She helps business owners - who know they’ve hit a ceiling in their time, energy, and/or income - to implement a personalized strategy. This allows them to move forward to achieve their goals with confidence by finding the perfect work-life mix for them, their families, and their businesses. Susanne has helped hundreds of clients implement their new strategy via the Grant Method, her unique coaching program which allows her clients get clear on what they truly want, on a practical but also an energetic level, figure out how these pieces fit together, and implement these elements back into the business in a way that works for them. She is a strategic, business-minded thinker with the powerful ability to read information from her client's energy; the perfect blend of strategy and spirit to help her clients break through their perceived limitations, upgrade their mindset and take their business to the next level – without the burnout or hustle! Find out more about Susanne Grant and the Grant Method Business Coaching at grantmethod.com
