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“The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities.” – Stephen Covey

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v-QMtiwljw[/embedyt]

Your priorities are determined by what’s most important to you. People often have a long list of things to do but they do not always stop and prioritize what they need to get done. Why are you doing what you are doing? Is what you are doing getting yourself closer to achieving your goals? If not, you will want to start thinking about why you are doing what you are doing and looking at the list and determining what your priorities are. Many people are reacting to life as it comes. Sometimes dodging hazards and getting overwhelmed by all there is to do. Is that you?

Start by taking a BIG breath. Let’s disrupt any negative thinking and get you back on course. When people get caught up in negative thinking it is hard for them to think beyond tomorrow let alone the next 7 days.

Stop reacting and organizing chaos. Envision what you want the end result to look like. See it. Describe it. Make a list of all the things you need to get done. Get it out of your head and onto paper. Group the list based on what NEEDS to get DONE within the next 24-48 hours, 7 days, 2 weeks, 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days. Is there anything on the list you can delegate? You become responsive when you begin with managing yourself and what you need.

Focus on intentional planning. Now focus on the planning for the next 24-48 hours and block time in your calendar to tend to that. You can then look at the next 7 days. Again, you will block things into your calendar! And so on. When you start being intentional with what you need to get done, you will become more productive and your performance will soar.

Success comes from when preparation and planning meet opportunity. Preparation is key in executing the plan. What do you need to prepare for your plans to come together? Is there anyone you need to contact? What resources will you need? How much time do you need to allocate to prepare, plan, implement, and re-evaluate or course correct?

Hold yourself accountable. At the end of each day, review what got done and what did not get done. Don’t beat yourself up. Were you specific about what needed to get done? Were you realistic with the time frame and resources? Do you need to ask for help or carry something over to tomorrow?

Remind yourself what will happen if you don’t get it done. In most cases, no one will not die or go to jail. There may be a delay in getting the results you want. What is your worst-case scenario? What are the consequences of not achieving what you want to get done? Imagine that you did not take out the trash. Things would get piled up and start stinking! What would your pile of things you need to accomplish look like? Would it cause a sour picture?

You are in charge of your results!!! Why are your results important to you? What are you going to do about them? Set your priorities and stick to them. You will have far fewer things to dodge in the process because you are planning with intention.

“Most of us spend too much time on what is urgent and not enough time on what is important.”― Stephen R. Covey

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The results you get in your business are a direct result of your productivity and your focus. Are you wishing you were not pulled so many directions? Do you wish you had more time doing what you love? Would you like to have more “me time” ? Would you like to make more money in your business? You can!

Take a look at your to- do list and what are “Other People’s Agenda” items, or OPA, (sorry – not the thrilling of excitement you may hear at a Greek restaurant). These items can be very time consuming and even drain some of your energy because you are not working on what you really want to complete for you. Enough is enough – it is time to take charge of your time and energy in a whole new way by setting some boundaries by valuing your time.

I have implemented strategies in my business that I know can really help you too. You can become more productive and focused and start seeing better results in your business. Some of these tips may seem simple but when used consistently have great impact by increasing your productivity.

5 Ways to Increase Your Productivity Today:

Email – Set aside specific times of day in which your check your email. If you check your email first thing in the morning, you are setting yourself up for a lengthy to do list of all the other things people need or want you to do. Remember you are in control – this is your business and your life. Do not check your email until you have had some physical activity, a good breakfast, and planned your day based on your priorities. For heaven’s sakes, turn off the email notifications, they are like bright shiny objects that distract you from what you are working on.
Telephone Calls – Keep an eye on the time you spend talking on the phone, you can easily get off on a side track conversation. Save non-profit generating phone calls for after business hours or allot them into your calendar in advance. When you are working and focused on a certain project, let your phone go to voicemail and check it when you take a break.
Meetings – Decide whether or not you need to meet someone in person for a meeting or is the meeting that you can discuss over the phone. A fifteen to twenty minute phone call can save a lot of time in travel and meeting time.
On the Drive University – Do you have trouble finding time to learn and grow to further develop your business strategies? Listen to audio program in your vehicle so that you can learn and develop new ideas to implement into your business. A stale mind will produce the same results. Innovation and creativity are required for sustainability and growth in your business.
Track Your Time. Track your time for 30 minute increments for one week. You will be able to see where you are spending your time. Hopefully, it will be on revenue generating activities. A business without revenue is just a hobby.

BONUS TIP – Start your day with at least 30-60 minutes of physical activity. Not only is it good for your health, but you will get those creative juices flowing and pump up your energy for the day.

The time is now for you to focus and plan your day for you. At first you may even find this challenging as you will suddenly have much more time on your hands than you may know what to do with. Time you never thought you had. Use use your time wisely. Start thinking bigger about how much more you can accomplish and the results you can get when you have this extra time. Don’t get tied up with OPA!

Take charge of what is most pressing for you. Imagine yourself being more productive, enjoying greater happiness, and achieving bigger results. What are your priorities right now?

EPISODE 134 – Scheduling Your Priorities

Are You All Tied Up with Other People’s Agendas?