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Get more done every day with these expert-approved productivity hacks

Posted by Shivali Anand

November 23, 2021 | 3-minute read (514 words)

Do you ever feel as if the day is slipping away from you? This is a regular sentiment for entrepreneurs, but it does not have to be your reality. By fine-tuning your time management skills, you can plan your day to maximize efficiency and accomplish more. We’ve culled top productivity tips from business leaders and elaborate on each one below.

Schedule everything, even personal time

A common concern among company owners is how to deal with frequent disruptions, which can upset your entire day and hinder your ability to meet essential obligations. Escalon Services CEO Anurag Pal recommends a strategy of mapping out every part of your day, including personal time, to reduce such disruptions.

"It's very important to maintain a daily/weekly/monthly routine," Pal says. "In addition, ensure that you exercise. It's effortless to become lethargic and irritable, or to let events overwhelm you — so ensure you get plenty of exercise and make sure to schedule it."

Of course, there will still be disruptions, but there will be fewer, and you’ll be better equipped to cope with them if the rest of your day runs smoothly. Try to take these distractions in stride by accepting them as part of the process.

Keep a to-do list

Along with starting every workday at the same time so you fall into a rhythm, Your.MD CFO and Escalon co-founder Sarah Lerche suggests maintaining a daily list of to-do’s. Checking obligations off the list, no matter how large or small, will give you a sense of accomplishment as you go through the day, according to Lerche.

She also recommends taking breaks throughout the day to keep the mind fresh and avoid fatigue. "Do something else for 30 minutes to an hour — go for a walk, listen to music,” she advises.

Don’t overparticipate

Entrepreneurs tend to be innately curious and eager to embrace learning opportunities, particularly webinars. But this leaves you with less time to attend to other responsibilities.

Pal suggests delegating to your team accordingly. "Have them provide [webinar] summaries to the appropriate team members,” or register and then listen to the recording when you have time, he says.

He also recommends maintaining a consistent desktop environment to foster a sense of normalcy. When you're comfortable and know where everything is, this will help limit distractions.

Maintain structure during off-time

Lerche advises extending the concept of a routine to nights and weekends. For example, your evening routine could include online workout classes. Aim to complete personal tasks as part of your weekend routine so that weekdays and weekends seem distinct, she says.

More daily productivity tips from entrepreneurs include:

Minimize work-related distractions.
Prioritize your most challenging duties.
Make the most of commuting time.
Use multi-screens to prioritize emails and tasks.
List daily goals and successes.
Use the weekend to recharge.
Schedule daily breaks, or take one when you stop feeling productive.
Say "no" to things that are unproductive or unrelated to your business.
Use apps and technologies to boost efficiency and stay organized.
Limit meetings to those that are focused and timely.

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Blog

Subscribe to our blog

Ideation

Get more done every day with these expert-approved productivity hacks

Schedule everything, even personal time

Keep a to-do list

Don’t overparticipate

Maintain structure during off-time

More daily productivity tips from entrepreneurs include:

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