Growing your small business isn’t an easy task. It takes a lot of dedication, hard work, determination, and even a small business loan to keep it up and to run. However, there are days when we’re not as productive or motivated as we want to be.
This happens to anyone, but fortunately, the solution is simple: replace the bad habits and reactive patterns with good habits that can make you more productive.
Here are some of the best tips on how to stay productive while growing your small business
1. Organize your tasks
Organizing your tasks can help you focus and not waste time doing things that aren’t high up your list of priorities. Streamlining your tasks can help you do them in the easiest way possible. One way to do this is to use management tools like Trello, Airtable, Basecamp, subscription management software by Ezypay, or Slack to keep you on track with your assignments.
Another way you can streamline your tasks is to group similar ones simultaneously. For example, if you need to write a blog post and a landing page, you can do them one after the other, so you don’t have to switch focus.
Organizing and streamlining your tasks also involves the delegation of tasks. As a small business owner, you can focus on the tasks you can do. Delegating tasks frees up your time so you can focus on the tasks you can do. If someone in your team has the skills and expertise to do a specific task, don’t hesitate to delegate it. Delegation allows you to organize your day and focus on the tasks most critical to your business.
2. Eat the frog
Productivity consultant, Brain Tracy, named the Eat the Frog method. The “frog” refers to your hardest tasks of the day, which you’re likely to procrastinate on. For most people, the first hour after you wake up is the most productive hour, and that’s when you should eat the frog.
Brian Tracy recommends that you do your most challenging tasks at the peak of your productivity. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in the morning. Some people work better at night or afternoons than in the morning. Assess your day, observe which time of day you feel more productive, and work that to your advantage.
3. Don’t multitask
Multitasking is a myth, and it’s a productivity killer. Studies show that productivity can decrease by 40%, thanks to the mental blocks created when people switch from one task to another. According to a study by the University of London, the IQ of some men who multitask dropped 15 points.
Another study by the University of Sussex found that multitasking can be physically detrimental to your brain. The participants that constantly use several devices at once had a lower gray-matter density in the anterior cingulate cortex, an area in the brain that’s responsible for decision-making, empathy, emotional control, and response to rewards.
With that said, fight the urge to do everything simultaneously. Focus on one task at a time and give it your full attention. This can significantly increase your productivity, and you’ll start to tick off all items on your to-do list in no time.
4. Disconnect when you’re working
We’ve already established that multitasking is not recommended, and it rarely contributes to your productivity. To focus on the task, it’s best to disconnect from your phone and other devices so you won’t get distracted by emails, messages, and other notifications.
One of the ways to disconnect and help your focus is to eliminate distractions. Put your phone in another room, shove it in a drawer, or put it in “Do Not Disturb” mode so you won’t instinctively reach for it or get distracted by notifications.
5. Maintain a healthy diet
Keep your brain properly fueled by feeding your body nutritious food throughout the day to avoid energy crashes. Many people don’t think much about their food since it does not directly affect productivity. However, what we eat impacts our brainpower, affecting our daily productivity.
Studies show that eating fruits and vegetables daily isn’t just good for the body but also affects your mind. The British Journal of Health Psychology discovered how food affects our everyday lives. Participants in the study noted their mood, behavior, and food consumption within 13 days. The researchers concluded that the more fruits and vegetables you incorporate into your diet, you’ll be happier, and the more creative and engaged you will be.
Fruits and vegetables contain the essential nutrients that support the production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that plays a big part in our ability to think and plan and how we experience curiosity, engagement, and motivation. Dopamine also provides our body with antioxidants to minimize inflammation, improve mood, and enhance memory.
6. Exercise regularly
It’s common knowledge that exercise is good for you. But if you’re still having second thoughts, studies show that exercising can enhance your brain function. Enhanced brainpower will improve concentration and creativity and promote faster learning. And the benefits do not end there! Exercising makes getting along with others easier, making you more effective in growing your small business.
According to Leeds Metropolitan University, 65% of employees who used their company gym during their lunch break were more productive and worked better with their colleagues than those who did not use their gym at lunch.
Of course, you don’t need a company gym to enjoy this benefit. Whether in your office or home, you can easily squeeze in a 30-minute exercise while growing your small business. Think of physical activity as a part of your regular work schedule rather than a personal indulgence that takes your time off work. Regular physical activity allows you to perform better as an employee and colleague.
7. Don’t forget to rest
Society glorifies the hustle so much that we tend to neglect the power of rest. The quality and quantity of sleep you get can affect your ability to learn and absorb new information. When you’re sleep-deprived, it’s harder to focus and make decisions for your company.
Running a business takes a lot of work, and sometimes, it may feel that you need to work 20 hours a day. But you won’t be able to enjoy your success if you burn yourself out and neglect rest. Be sure to take the time to recharge your brain by resting. Take a 15-minute meditation during your Pomodoro break, stretch or do yoga, or doze off for a few minutes. Even microbreaks of at least 30 seconds can help improve your focus.
No matter how busy life can get, listen to your body and take a break when you need to.
The bottom line
Staying productive is a conscious effort. It requires discipline and consistency, but it’s also a process. Here are three things to takeaway:
- Trust the process. You can’t expect to change your working habits overnight. Start small and gradually work your way up to bigger changes as you get more comfortable. For example, you might want to start by exercising regularly. Once you get the hang of it, you eat Keep adding more tips as you go.
- Keep yourself accountable. Regularly check in with a trusted business partner or employee to keep you accountable. You can set your deadlines publicly and announce them to your team. If you answer someone else, it usually motivates you to finish the job on time.
- Be kind to yourself. Even when you become a productivity guru, you’re still human. Sometimes, you’re going to slip up, get distracted, or wake up on the wrong side of the bed. Remember to be kind to yourself. Don’t dwell on your mistakes, and, more importantly, move forward.
