A practical guide to productivity for busy business owners
NOTE: Some of the tools and resources mentioned in this article are affiliate links. That means when you click the link to create an account, start a free trial or make a purchase, it won’t cost you any more but I may receive a commission for introducing you. One thing I want to stress is that I would never recommend anything or anyone I haven’t successfully worked with myself or trust unconditionally.
Guest Post by Life-First Business Educator, Michelle Pontvert
Like many entrepreneurs, I started my business to have more flexibility and freedom because traditional jobs didn’t fit with my real-life circumstances. Between limited childcare, health challenges and my late-diagnosed neurodivergence, the only option was to create my own Life-First Business that is designed to fit around my real-life first.
Part of building a business that truly fits me has been learning how to be really productive in the small pockets of time I do have available to work. Which lead me to testing out all sorts of productivity hacks…
And realizing most popular productivity tips aren’t meant for business owners like me with very limited time and energy.
Here are my 10 best productivity tips for low-energy entrepreneurs:
1. Capture Your Ideas
One of the biggest frustrations when working part-time or odd hours in your business is that your best ideas refuse to come when you’re at your desk. Create a simple system to make sure you capture those genius ideas when you’re out and about so you know exactly where to look when you do have time to implement them.
Personally, I love using Notion and have a simple database I use to collect my ideas that I can access from both my computer and my phone.
2. Prioritize Your Tasks
When you have a never-ending to-do list, it can be so easy to feel overwhelmed.
Start by identifying the most important tasks that align with your long-term goals. Focus on completing those first and make intentional time to work towards those long-term goals. Next, you’ll probably have some more “urgent”, time-sensitive tasks that might not move the needle as much but are still pressing, so those are a good secondary focus.
And the rest can either wait for another day, or might not need to get done at all. Remember the saying: You can do anything, but not everything. 😉
3. Set Realistic Goals
Setting ambitious goals is great, but it’s essential to ensure they are realistic given your time constraints. Break down big goals into smaller, manageable chunks and set deadlines for each milestone.
Celebrate your progress along the way – small wins deserve recognition too!
4. Try out Time Blocking
Time blocking is a game-changer for managing your schedule effectively, especially if your schedule quickly gets overrun with appointments and other commitments.
Divide your work time into dedicated blocks of time for specific tasks or activities. This technique helps you stay focused and prevents distractions from derailing your productivity train.
5. Delegate or Outsource
As an entrepreneur who wears multiple hats, it’s crucial to recognize when you need support.
While we might not all be at a stage of business to afford to pay for help, there might be tasks in other areas of your life that you could look into delegating. A good place to start is “menial” tasks like laundry, dishes and cleaning which are time-consuming but not particularly exciting and can either be split between partners, hire help to take them off your plate or look for appliances to help speed up the process to win you back some time.
6. Practice Mindful Multitasking
Multitasking, while wonderfully satisfying at the moment, can often be far less productive than we’d hope. And is usually far more stressful than tackling one task at a time.
Instead of trying to do everything at once, practice mindful multitasking by focusing on one task at a time. Give it your full attention, complete it, and then move on to the next item on your list.
7. Automate and Streamline Processes
Look for opportunities to automate repetitive tasks and streamline your business processes. Utilize tools and software that can help you save time and increase efficiency. From email marketing automation to project management tools, there are countless resources available to make your life easier.
8. Learn to Say No
As an entrepreneur, it can be far too easy to fall into the trap of saying yes to every opportunity that comes your way. However, overcommitting yourself can lead to burnout and decreased productivity.
Setting and communicating healthy boundaries, and learning to say no, can go a long way to taking control of your calendar and freeing up your time for more important tasks. Your time is valuable – use it wisely.
9. Take Regular Breaks
Hustle culture is huge these days so it can feel particularly hard to slow down, especially when you’re already working “less” than others. If you’re dividing your time and energy between running your business and other important things like caring for your family, holding down a day job, or managing your own health, it’s even more important to plan for time to recharge and refresh your mind.
Use this time for activities that bring you joy or help you relax, whether it’s taking a walk, meditating, or indulging in a hobby.
10. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection
Remember that perfection is an illusion. Instead of striving for perfection, focus on progress. No one is 100% productive every single day.
Celebrate each milestone and acknowledge how far you’ve come. Embrace the journey of entrepreneurship with all its ups and downs – it’s what makes it exciting!
So there you have it:
10 productivity tips to help you navigate the busy world of entrepreneurship while still making time for what matters most in your life.
Remember, productivity is not about doing more; it’s about doing what truly matters in a focused and intentional way.
Want to kickstart your productivity?
Unsticking Tricks is my free productivity guide with 5 out-of-the-box “hacks” to get you moving on your tasks when motivation alone just isn’t enough. Perfect if you’re tired, burned out or simply neurodivergent. These unusual tricks really do work to get your productivity in gear!
About Michelle Pontvert
Michelle Pontvert is a Life-First Business Educator specializing in helping entrepreneurs with limited capacity grow profitable and sustainable businesses that fit their lives first.
With over 40+ digital products & courses under her belt, Michelle knows a thing or two about how to create and sell your knowledge online and has spent the past 4+ years teaching others how to strategically simplify their way to success online.
