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The average employee spends 13 hours each week on
email. That, plus endless lists of to-do items, hours of seemingly
pointless meetings and unexpected interruptions creates noise that
prevents productivity, inhibits creativity and gets between you and the
day you hoped you’d have. So what can you do about it? Take a deep
breath, imagine the life you want to have instead, and create a plan to
make that happen.
Below are ten steps, inspired by the advice of Entrepreneur.com writers
and contributors, that can help you take charge and help you craft the
professional and personal life that works for you.
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1. Define success.
Only you know what will make you feel fulfilled. When you want to
achieve a goal, whether it’s starting a new business, writing a book or
running a marathon, start with the end in mind. Write it down and refer
work toward it every day. |
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2. Visualize that success.
Think back to a time when you accomplished something that really made
you proud. Now imagine the best possible outcome of your new venture and
hold on to that feeling – and that image of yourself. Work for that
future you and don’t hold that person back with your own pessimism. |
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3. Forget entitlement.
You aren’t destined to succeed because you went to a certain school or
have a certain background or contacts. Don’t expect that what you want
will fall into your lap or that you are more deserving than someone
else. Focus on the work or expect to miss out on something great. |
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4. Think small to think big.
You can’t change your ways overnight, so set small, achievable
milestones and slowly build momentum toward your goal. Don’t set
yourself up to fail by taking on too much too soon. |
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5.Consistency is key.
Procrastination can quickly turn to panic, kicking your brain into
crisis mode. That’s bad for creative output and your health. Start early
and give each milestone the time it needs.
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6. Prioritize.
Do the most pressing or important item on your to-do lists first. Even
if you think knocking off a couple of smaller tasks will help you tackle
the big one, willpower is often at its highest at the start of the day
rather than at the end of it. Monitor yourself to understand when you
are the most productive and organize your schedule accordingly.
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7. Delegate.
You can’t do everything. Think about what someone else can take on, at
work or in your personal life, so you can devote more time to your new
priorities. Learn to let some tasks go and relish in the new perspective
you’ll get in return.
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8. Find collaborators.
To make these steps stick, enlist likeminded friends, colleagues and
family members who will hold you accountable, celebrate your
achievements and share their insights. Support can come from the
unlikeliest of sources. Just make sure you're open to the possibilities.
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9. Stay motivated.
To keep engaged and weather any setbacks, make yourself a “motivational
manual.” Look to quotes from people who inspire you or playlists of
songs that boost your creativity and productivity. Create an environment
where you can thrive.
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10. Take stock and try again tomorrow.
If you feel like you have too many plates in the air, stop and just
focus on one at a time. Try spending time on one project every day and
see how much you accomplish.
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