How to Get Stuff Done

The last few weeks I have been extremely busy and on top of that I have been dealing with a sick child and also being sick myself. There is no time to be wasted so efficient use of the time I had was crucial. I feel that since owning my own business, I have had to work very hard to make the most of my time and have a few tips:

• Focus on 1-3 big tasks per day. Any more tasks than 3 will most likely cause you to spend too much time switching gears. I have begun making a list (yes – let the comments start pouring in as I was anti-list for a long time) of these items and then crossing each item off as I finish. This is surprisingly very rewarding.
• Limit how often you check email. (See a post I wrote on this in the past)
• Start the day with an easy task. It sometimes takes more time to get going mentally in the AM so starting with an easy task quickly builds confidence for other tasks later
• Take time every hour to take a small break to keep your mind fresh
• If you are having a problem with something you are working on – move on and come back to it later. Sometimes I can easily get lost in a problem and stop thinking about it rationally but by stepping away and coming back to it – I can often solve the problem quicker than if I would have stayed with it.
• Set a stopping point or time and stick with it. Feel good knowing you have put in 6-8 hours of work a day and realize that there will be things to do tomorrow and not everything needs to get done today. By setting limits, you will feel much more refreshed the next day and your spouse/family will be happier as well.