Are you a list-maker? I am one and for several years, thought that the longer the list, the better. Oh, so not true!
Enter “The 4-Hour Workweek” by Timothy Ferriss. This is a fantastic book. In chapter 5, The End of Time Management, there are many helpful and very useful nuggets. Did I mention that there were MANY nuggets to take away? Ok, just wanted to be sure that you got that. Now, back to topic.
We all have twenty four hours in our days. No more, no less. Everyone has the same. It’s how we use, or spend those hours that makes the difference. Here is the nugget I want to share with you right now.
Ferriss writes, “There are two synergistic approaches for increasing productivity that are inversions of each other:
- Limit tasks to the important to shorten work time (80/20).
- Shorten work time to limit tasks to the important (Parkinson’s Law).”
He goes on to say, “The best solution is to use both together: Identity the few critical tasks that contribute most to income and schedule them with very short and clear deadlines.” There is more to this story, but I want to stop here for now.
As an entrepreneur starting your business, especially while still working your 9-5, what is the one thing that you need most? It’s sales. Right? Now take a look at your list of things to do, places to go, and people to talk with. Pick three that you believe will most likely yield a sale…and do those things, today. Repeat the process again tomorrow, and tomorrow, and you get the idea.
Focus on tasks that take you toward your goal. Here is a great tool that can help you get those tasks in front of you. Check out this free system created by Ryder Carroll at bulletjournal.com. This system is flexible and can be customized to fit your needs, even if they change month-to-month.
I started a page in my bullet journal this month to track how often I do the important things to grow my business. For me, the important things are: blog, marketing, social media interaction, create videos, participate in live training calls, and receive money. To grow as a person, I have committed to read the books, watch the videos, and listen to audios by mentors and those who inspire me.
Remember to check out the bullet journal. Here’s the thing…find the tools that you will use. A great tool that doesn’t get used is just clutter.
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