get 500+ free images, templates & marketing strategies! You're one click away, Don't Miss It.

The 5 Secrets of Super Productive Entrepreneurs

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the disclaimer

the 5 secrets of extrememly productive entrepreneurs who get stuff done for their blog and business

If you’re a freelancer or solo entrepreneur, time is your most valuable asset. You’ve only got 24 hours in a day but an infinite list of things to do. How do successful entrepreneurs manage? Here’s a hint: They don’t try to do it all.

Here are five things that super productive entrepreneurs do, plus tips on how to integrate their productivity habits into your own life:

1. They know how to prioritize

The Pareto Principle suggests that about 80 percent of your results come from about 20 percent of your efforts. Super productive entrepreneurs know that they should focus their time and energy on the 20 percent of tasks that create the 80 percent of results. So they prioritize.

In your business, set priorities based on your business goals and the results you want to achieve. Don’t try to do everything. Spreading yourself too thin can lead to burnout and poor quality work. On the flip side, doing less will help you build momentum. As you achieve goal after goal, you’ll be more motivated to keep tackling your to do list.

the 5 secrets of extrememly productive entrepreneurs who get stuff done for their blog and business

2. They create routines

Even though entrepreneurs have the flexibility and freedom to work at any time, successful entrepreneurs typically find a routine that works for them and stick to it.

Routines are essential because they automate your business processes and limit decision fatigue. You don’t have to think about what to do every hour of the day when you follow a routine. Plus, following a routine cuts back on distraction. When you know what you should be doing, it’s easier to avoid the lure of the t.v., social media, and celeb gossip websites.

the 5 secrets of extrememly productive entrepreneurs who get stuff done for their blog and business

3. They set boundaries

Have you ever emailed a popular blogger or website and heard…crickets? For many busy entrepreneurs, this is the fastest and easiest way to say “no.”

You should also start saying no. It’s important to set boundaries with your clients, family, and friends, especially when you work from home. Protect your most productive time by saying no to events or commitments that will suck up your energy. If you have kids, teach them that you are not always available; there is a time for playing and a time for working.

You may also have to set boundaries with yourself. If you have trouble focusing when you work from home, then go to the library or a cafe. If you get distracted by all the happenings on the Internet, shut off notifications, or better yet, turn off your wi-fi when you’re doing work that doesn’t require it.

the 5 secrets of extrememly productive entrepreneurs who get stuff done for their blog and business

4. They batch their work

What do entrepreneurs Darren Rowse, John Dumas, and Nathalie Lussier have in common, besides their fame? They all batch their work to increase their productivity.

Switching tasks sucks up time and energy; multitasking is even worse for your productivity. You can limit the number of times you switch tasks each day, and totally eliminate multitasking, by working on one type of work for a sustained period of time.

To batch your work, block off large chunks of time for each type of task. For example, I draft 3-4 blog posts during a four hour block of time. I spend two hours on a Sunday night scheduling all my social media updates for the week.

the 5 secrets of extrememly productive entrepreneurs who get stuff done for their blog and business

5. They know themselves

There is so much advice on productivity on the web, and much of it conflicts. Productive entrepreneurs know themselves and what works for their lifestyle.

Some people get more work done if they wake up early and complete their hardest task first. Other people need to get email out of the way, otherwise it weighs on them and distracts them. Some people swear by short bursts of work, followed by even shorter breaks. Others do better when they focus for 90 minutes or more and take longer breaks.

the 5 secrets of extrememly productive entrepreneurs who get stuff done for their blog and business

Try a variety of productivity strategies and see what works best for you. Don’t stress if some common piece of advice doesn’t work. The beauty of being your own boss is that you can tweak your routine and work flow until you find the best way to maximize your productivity.

You can improve your productivity, you just need to take control of your schedule and your business. Find your priorities, say no to things that don’t help you achieve those priorities, and create a routine that works for you.

Do you have a simple and sustainable productivity tip? If so, please share in the comments!


EM headshot

Author’s Bio: Emily McGee is a freelance writer, a mom, an expat, and the founder of My Adaptable Career, which offers productivity tips for solo entrepreneurs. Between parenting, moving every year or two, and managing life in a developing country, Emily doesn’t have a lot of spare time. She focuses on growing her business intentionally and using creative strategies to stay productive. For a quick productivity win, download her free checklist: 42 things you can do tonight to make tomorrow more productive.

Find Emily McGee at: My Adaptable Career | Pinterest | Twitter | Facebook

 

 

Ivory Mix templates stock photos + more

Included Free:

550+ Templates, Photos, & Strategies

Get New Free Downloads Monthly

Unlimited Downloads

Special offers & Trends Newsletter

Save and sort your favorites

Access 500+ Free Templates, Photos, & Strategies With A Free Account

Free User Creation for Popup

By creating an account, I agree to Ivory Mix's Website terms, Privacy Policy and Licensing Terms


Already have an account? Log in

3 Comments

  1. Cassie Joss on July 8, 2016 at 1:36 am

    I love this. Specially about batching! I have thought about the single elements of this but never about it as a whole so this was great 🙂 thank you!

  2. Monica on July 8, 2016 at 4:04 am

    I love all of these. I find that I’m definitely have more successful months when I’m in my routine and I’m prioritizing every morning and every evening.

  3. J | Joyfully J. on July 18, 2016 at 6:45 am

    Batching and prioritizing are definitely essential to my sanity! It can be difficult at times when you’re trying to balance so many responsibilities, but in order to be successful, we must find the systems that work best for us. Thanks for a very insightful post!

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

You may also like reading: