Discover 15 essential productivity tips every entrepreneur needs to boost efficiency, stay focused, and get more done in less time. Start working smarter today!
Do you feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day? 68% of entrepreneurs feel symptoms of burnout, and long hours spent on repetitive tasks are a big part of the problem. We get the feeling that your to-do list is impossibly long, or you can’t get enough done in 24 hours, and we’re here to help. These 15 essential productivity tips can’t give you an extra hour in your day, but they can help you get more done in less time. Read on to learn how to get the most out of your time.
Note: Want to build a business that gives you freedom of time, location, and income — without needing to be a tech expert or full-time writer? By combining a few simple productivity strategies with the power of self-publishing on Amazon, you can create a real online business that works on your schedule — whether that’s early mornings, late nights, or during nap time. Click here to watch the training video and try a trial of Publishing.ai.
Productivity is a game-changer for entrepreneurs because it directly impacts business growth and personal well-being. A whopping 36% of the average entrepreneur’s week is dedicated to administrative tasks. That’s over 14 hours lost to work that doesn’t directly drive the business forward. This time drain means less energy for high-value activities like strategy, innovation, and customer growth, which are the real engines of success.
When admin tasks and constant multitasking bog down entrepreneurs, they experience lower efficiency, higher stress, and even burnout. A third of entrepreneurs report experiencing burnout, and nearly half struggle with high anxiety. Small business owners lose about 1.5 hours daily to unproductive tasks, accumulating over three weeks of lost productivity each year.
Boosting productivity isn’t just about getting more done; it’s about freeing time to focus on what matters most. Productive entrepreneurs enjoy lower stress, better work-life balance, and higher profits. By streamlining admin, prioritizing high-impact work, and using smart systems, entrepreneurs can reclaim their time, drive their business forward, and build a life they enjoy.
It’s nearly impossible to be productive while you’re disorganized. The easiest way to get the most out of your day is to plan well and control how you use your time. Using a time management system and managing your calendar will help you protect your time and maximize every hour.
Time management systems can help you overcome procrastination and break overwhelming tasks down. The trick is to pick one that works best with your workflow and habits. Here are four of the most popular time management techniques and how to use them:
It’s no secret that cluttering your calendar with overcommitment is a recipe for burnout. But how do you stop? The first step is to remind yourself of your priorities. If you’re trying to get the most out of your day, that starts with carefully choosing what’s most essential and setting aside time.
Building good habits is like giving your business a secret superpower. When you set up brilliant routines and focus on what matters, you’ll get more done with less stress. Here’s how you can make your habits work for you:
We all know that prioritizing tasks is key. But it’s not always easy to decide what you need to get done first. Tools like the Eisenhower Matrix and the 80/20 rule give you a system to determine what order to work through your tasks in.
The Eisenhower Matrix is a simple tool for deciding what to work on first. It sorts your tasks into four categories based on urgency and importance. It’s named after President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who famously said, “What is important is seldom urgent, and what is urgent is seldom important.”
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Now, sort your tasks into these four quadrants:
Using this matrix, you’ll focus on what matters and avoid wasting time on low-priority tasks!
The 80/20 rule, also called the Pareto Principle, is a simple idea that says 80% of your results come from just 20% of your efforts. In other words, a small number of things you do significantly impact your success.
Using the 80/20 rule, you’ll spend more time on what matters and get better results with less effort!
Having a daily routine isn’t just for big companies—it’s a game-changer for entrepreneurs, too. Start your day with a morning ritual, like reviewing your goals, planning your top three tasks, or enjoying coffee while you get your thoughts together. Set regular times for checking emails, making calls, or working on your main project. Following a routine makes your day less chaotic, and you’ll waste less time figuring out what to do next.
Don’t just set your habits and forget about them! Take a little time each week to look back and see what’s working and what’s not. Are you spending too much time on things that don’t matter? Are there tasks you could do faster, or maybe even skip altogether? Track your productivity, notice where your time goes, and make small changes to keep improving. The more you tweak your workflow, the smoother your days will run—and the more you’ll get done without feeling overwhelmed.
By making these simple changes, you’ll build habits that help you stay focused, organized, and ready to tackle whatever comes your way!
Your workspace can significantly affect how much you get done each day. Making simple changes can create an environment that helps you stay focused and work smarter, not harder.
Trying to do many things at once might feel productive, but it slows you down and leads to more mistakes. Instead, pick one task and give it your full attention. You’ll finish faster and do a better job, plus you’ll feel less frazzled by the end of the day.
Distractions are everywhere—phones buzzing, emails popping up, people talking, or even a messy desk. To stay on track, silence your notifications, close unnecessary tabs on your computer, and let others know when you need some quiet time. Set up your workspace so it’s comfortable and organized, with everything you need close by. The less you have to hunt for things or fight off interruptions, the more you’ll get done!
Self-care is about more than hitting the gym or developing a skincare routine. It is actually central to your productivity. You get less done when you’re not feeling your best. If you want to get as much done as possible, you have to make sure you’re looking out for your physical well-being.
Don’t try to power through the whole day without stopping—your brain needs a breather! Taking regular breaks helps you recharge, keeps you from burning out, and makes you more productive. Step away from your desk, stretch, grab a snack, or take a few deep breaths. And don’t forget to give yourself some actual downtime, too. Whether it’s a walk outside, a hobby, or just relaxing with family, downtime helps you return to work refreshed and ready to go.
You can’t pour from an empty cup! Ensure you’re getting enough sleep, eating healthy meals, and moving your body. Even a short walk or a few stretches can make a big difference. When you take care of yourself, you’ll have more energy, think more clearly, and handle stress better, so you can tackle whatever your business throws.
The best entrepreneurs never stop learning. Set aside a little time each week to learn a new skill, read about your industry, or watch a helpful video. The more you know, the more confident and capable you’ll feel—and the better you’ll be at growing your business.
Remember, taking care of yourself isn’t selfish—it’s smart business! When you feel your best, you’ll do your best work.
Instead of jumping back and forth between different jobs, try batching similar tasks together. For example, answer all your emails simultaneously, or set aside time to handle your invoices. This helps you stay focused and get through your to-do list faster. For those repetitive tasks that consume your time, look for ways to automate them using apps and integrations. Things like scheduling social media posts, sending reminders, or tracking expenses can often be set up to run automatically, freeing you up for more critical work.
Many apps are designed to help you stay on top of your tasks, track your time, and keep your projects moving forward. Whether you prefer a simple to-do list or a more advanced project management tool, find one that fits your style. These apps can help you see what needs to be done, set deadlines, and even remind you to take breaks. With the right tech tools, you’ll spend less time worrying about what you might be forgetting and more time getting things done!
Don’t be afraid to hand off tasks that don’t need your personal touch. Whether it’s bookkeeping, social media, answering emails, delegating, or outsourcing, these jobs free up your time for the things only you can do—like growing your business and serving your customers. Remember, asking for help isn’t a weakness; it’s a smart way to get more done!
It’s easy to let things slide when you’re your own boss. That’s where accountability partners or mastermind groups come in. These are people you check in with regularly to share your goals and progress. They’ll cheer you on, give you honest feedback, and help you stay on track—even when motivation dips.
Good communication is key, whether you’re working with a team, freelancers, or just keeping your family in the loop. Make sure everyone knows what’s going on and what’s expected. And don’t forget to celebrate your wins—big or small! Taking time to recognize your progress keeps you and your team motivated and reminds you how far you’ve come.
Now that you’ve learned some science-backed productivity hacks, how do you put them into action? You don’t want to rush off and drastically change how you live and work. That’s only going to make the overwhelm work. Optimal productivity is built on good habits, and good habits take time. Here’s our advice on gradually tightening up your productivity:
If you take your time and work strategically, you’ll start getting more done, feeling less burned out, and wasting less time. But how will you know when it’s working?
Changing how you work and adopting new habits takes time, and you must keep yourself motivated to stick with it. Measuring and monitoring your progress is the best way to ensure you stay on track. You know your efforts are working when you see minor, consistent improvements. How can you tell if you’re being more productive?
Take the time to appreciate your hard work. Boosting your productivity pays off in many ways, including a sense of pride and accomplishment. Getting more done feels good!
Where can you find tech tools that amp up your productivity, expert advice to help you optimize your workflow, and an active community of accountability partners while learning more about self-publishing? Right here! Our focus is on maximizing efficiency for self-publishers. This introduction video walks you through the process our students use to publish better, publish more, and publish faster than the old-fashioned way.
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