Productivity Secrets of Successful Entrepreneurs

When you hear the word productivity, it might bring to mind images of creating long lists of things to do and crossing them off.

That is not uncommon.

I used to create long "To Do" lists and found that most of the time I would end up not finishing it all and feeling defeated at the end of the day.

In my almost 15 years of being an entrepreneur, I've learned a few secrets to being more productive with the time I have.

Here's what I've learned that you can put to use in not only building your business, but also in getting more out of your personal life as well.

Secret #1: Throw out the "To Do" list and create a "Priority" list instead

To Do lists set you up for disappointment. Inevitably, you'll create a list of everything you can imagine, and then you'll find that you have to keep moving items from one day to the next.

Instead, set up a "Priority" list. A priority list focuses you in on the most important things that if you got them done by the end of the day, you will feel good about yourself and what you've accomplished.

​I like to choose no more than 3 big priorities for the day, and if I have other smaller items that's okay, but I know that getting those big three done will move me forward.

Secret #2: Plan for your week before the week starts

What are some of the things that you'd like to have accomplished by the end of the week?

Review those and make sure that they are planned for and prioritized throughout the week.

Choose a day, most likely a Sunday or a Friday at the end of the work week, where you'll set aside 20 minutes to make your plans for the following week. Sunday is my day, but find what works best for you.

Secret #3: Stop trying to find time and make time

When you try to find time to get your most important tasks and projects done, guess what? You never find the time. Or at least not enough of it.

The key to being more productive and actually getting things done, is to make the time. Now, when I say make time, I'm not just saying that as if to say...just do it, like Nike.

You need to learn to block the time in your calendar for the things that matter most to you. That's how you make time. You think of the time you have available and find a place to block off time to focus just on one project, task, or similar tasks.

When you do this, you'll find you are getting so much more done, because you're no longer trying to find time and being distracted from what needs to get done to move your business forward.