We all grew up hearing some variation of the phrase “work smarter, not harder”, so it’s hardly a revolutionary concept. But that doesn’t mean that every business owner gets it right. In fact, over the years I have known and worked with hundreds of business owners, and I have observed that the vast majority of business owners are very hard workers. What separates the most successful from the rest isn’t how hard they work, but how smart they work.
So what can you do to ensure that you’re working smart… not just working hard? Below are five tips.
1) Always start with the big picture. Maintaining a “big picture” perspective is critical to using your time wisely. This means understanding the long-term strategic objectives for your business, and fitting your day-to-day efforts into these objectives. Before beginning a project, ask yourself “why am I doing this?”, and if the answer doesn’t make strategic sense, scrap the project!
2) Don’t get stuck in your ways. Many business owners are creatures of habit. I know I am! And that can be a very good thing – but it can also lead to problems. Don’t insist on doing things a specific way just because “that’s the way we’ve always done it.” Today’s technology has the power to make many tasks easier and faster – so take advantage.
3) Delegate your “busywork.” Are you doing work that you could have someone on your staff do, or that you could outsource to a professional? If so, chances are you’re not using your time as effectively as you could be. The more time you can free up to spend on strategic planning, leadership, and business growth, the better off you’ll be. And it often starts with delegating your busywork!
4) Commit to finishing what you start. One of the greatest timewasters that I see in businesses all of the time are projects that are begun… but not finished. They involve hours and hours of time, energy, and sometimes money. And regardless of how valuable the projects could be if they were finished, they’re worthless if they’re discarded halfway through. Before taking on a project, ask yourself whether or not you can commit to finishing it. If the answer is no, don’t waste your time. And when you do begin a project, be sure that you see it through to completion!
5) Stay focused by blocking out distractions. Finally, ensure that you are getting the most out of the time you spend working by eliminating distractions – like email and phone calls. Make it a habit to block out these distractions for blocks of time throughout the day. It’s amazing how much more you can accomplish when you aren’t being distracted by the chime of your email program or the vibrations of your mobile phone!
Are you working smart… or are you just working hard? If you’d like to learn more about this subject area, I can help. Please contact me today!