Squirrel! Ah, the potential distractions each day are endless, but having a high level of productivity on a regular basis is necessary for seeing your end goals met. Plus, who wants to feel unproductive at the end of the day? Not me- nor you I suspect! Daily productivity is possible and not as complicated as you may think.

Here are a few easy-to-implement tips for staying focused on your most important priorities so you can launch your business results to the moon!

#1 Set an allocated amount of time to work on a project. Rather than giving yourself an unlimited amount of time to work on a project during the day, consider blocking off 90 minutes or 2 hours. It’s a significant amount of time to make real progress on a project or complete an important task. I meet two types of people- one who yanks her neck at every shiny object and another who’d spend the whole day diving into one project getting lost in the minutia when it really doesn’t take a whole day to complete.

By setting an allocated time to work on something you address both challenges to productivity- spending too much time on something, or being constantly interrupted by distractions that you don’t get anything accomplished. How can this be effective? Set a timer (even a kitchen timer works!) or use your email calendar’s reminder tool that your next task or appointment is coming up. If you’re more of a visual and in your face kind a gal, consider using a bright sticky note with your completion time goal on the side or top of your monitor.

#2 Remember there’s power in numbers. Ever notice how you’re more likely to follow through on a workout when you’ve scheduled a workout with a friend at the gym? Social psychologists (e.g. Robert Cialdini) have discovered that when you voluntarily commit to something and announce it publicly, you’re more likely to follow through on the commitment than if you make the same commitment without announcing it to others. Ha! Now that you know this, use it to help you increase your productivity and follow through on those steps to reach your brilliant goals.

If there’s a project that you’ve been procrastinating starting, working on, or finishing, perhaps a get-it-done buddy is in order! Set up a block of time for you and a colleague to get that project moving along, with the understanding of course that you’re both there to work (not catch up on the Real Housewives of wherever). Whether it’s writing a book, getting your social media content plan written, doing market research for your new product or package, this could be just the boost you need to get it done. Who knows, it could become “a thing”. 

#3 Put less on your to-do list. I’ve said this before, but it bears repeating. You’ll never feel productive (even if you are) if you have an unrealistically lengthy to-do list for the day. You’re setting yourself up for failure from the get-go. Boo! You rock and you deserve to feel fabulous and successful. You may have a “master” to-do list and that’s great- it’s what you pull your daily to-dos from. Just be sure you’re not writing a daily to-do list that looks more like the master to-do list. You need to focus woman! Choose those handful of items that will connect you with your goals. You have to pick…its ONE day. If you find that you really need to be able to accomplish those 20 things and still are unable to, it’s TIME to delegate. When you set out to complete 3-5 things that are truly important and necessary, and complete them, you’ll feel successful and productive instead of a failure who can’t keep up. Empower yourself!

Which one of these productivity tips are you going to try? Share with me in the comments below!

If you need additional assistance with getting focused, establishing clear priorities, or setting up a get-it-done system that helps you make huge progress toward your goals, schedule a Private Coaching Consultation.