Highly productive and effective entrepreneurs are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and get immersed in their work. Anyone can be productive like a highly effective entrepreneur if they are ready to commit fully to their goals. Success is the result of committed work, focus, efficiency and working smart, not just hard. These productivity secrets can improve your productivity and transform your daily routine for success.
They start the day well-rested
Successful people like the editor in chief of Vogue (Anna Wintour) and Ceo of Virgin company (Richard Branson) both reportedly wake up at 5:45 am. In order to wake up early, you need to go to bed at a reasonable time. You can’t wake up early unless your body got the proper amount of sleep. You need to have 7 to 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep if you want to be productive the next day. Waking up early and starting the day well-rested means you are serious about getting the work done. As the saying goes “The early bird gets the worm”, we can look up to successful people who do that and reap the benefits.
They boost their day early on
Skipping breakfast is never an option if you want to fuel your day for success. Sure, you can start your day with a coffee instead. But it will only make you grumpy and restless after two hours of drinking it without taking the breakfast first. Eat a nutritious omelette, drink a healthy smoothie or eat oatmeal mixed with berries and a scoop of protein.
The office setup matters
Proper setup can make your workday, while an inadequate setting can just hinder your progress. Go for the first option. First, you need lots of natural light and a window so you can air the space out. Next, your desk and a chair have to be both comfortable and positioned right. Pick a chair that is comfortable to sit in and that supports your back. If the office is too loud, get yourself some noise-cancelling headphones. Listen to some brain-stimulating music like binaural beats, jazz, techno or classical music. Go for instrumental tunes so you won’t be distracted by catchy lyrics. The setting is the basis for entering the state of flow and deep work.
They have a plan for the day
Entrepreneurs who start their day with clear objectives, set up a plan the day before can start their day on a productive note. Finish each day by jotting down the list of objectives for the day ahead. Lack of a clear plan for the day can only fog your focus and result in confusion and no work will be done.
Everything you have to do is not as urgent, so make a list of priorities. Focus on one task at hand, don’t do three things at a time. Having a plan doesn’t mean that you have to take off everything from the list. Sometimes things can last longer than expected and it doesn’t mean that you have to stay longer. Just focus on the list and you’ll keep procrastination at bay.
Focus on one task for 90-120 minutes
True productivity is achieved when you block out the time needed to achieve a task. Block this time from anything else to stay focused. Unfortunately, our focus starts to fade after 90-120 minutes. So, focus on a single task between 90 to 120 minutes max and take a pause after this block of time. Our concentration is not limitless and we lose focus after a certain period of time. This is a fact and we have to embrace the solution at hand – taking regular breaks.
They take regular breaks
So, in order to regain focus and get back into the flow, we need to take short breaks that will clear out the brain fog. So if you just go through the motions with the lack of focus, you won’t be productive. Take a break after every 90 to 120 minutes of focused work. Step away from your desk, take a walk, step outside and breathe in the fresh air for better focus. The goal here is to spend 5, 10 or 15 minutes recharging your brain so you can spend another one to two hours on focused work.
They limit distractions
Do not disturb mode is the essential element of unpenetrable concentration. Your phone should be on silent during the periods of deep and focused work. Do not check your emails every few minutes or your social media accounts. Focus on one thing at a time and limit distractions that ruin your focus. Wear headphones if the office is too loud. If you can’t seem to focus because you have a difficult task to deal with, move to a quiet place within your office.
They build their energy and maintain their focus through proper diet
In order to focus you need to have enough energy. Lack of energy leads to a lack of focus and only stops you from being productive. According to the WHO “adequate nutrition can raise your productivity levels by 20 percent on average.” Successful entrepreneurs have long been aware of the link between their diet and productivity. In other words, if you are hungry you can’t focus. So, make sure your lunch is rich in protein, leafy greens, omega-3 fats, and carbs with a low glycemic index that will keep you full, energized and focused. When you feel the afternoon slump messing with your focus eat an unprocessed snack like nuts, carrot sticks, or apple slices. Be moderate about your portion and avoid sugary snacks at all costs. Cognitive functions burn calories and aid your productivity, so time your meals right to use the energy in your favour.
Hydration is the key to laser-sharp focus
Dehydration is your enemy in many ways. Your ability to focus and concentrate depends on it because a lack of water creates brain fatigue, causes headaches, makes you easily annoyed and leads to eating more than you should. The key to laser-sharp focus is 2 to 2.5 litres of water daily. Hydration is essential for proper cognitive functions, better energy and increased productivity. Whenever you feel like you lost your focus drink a glass of water. The more you drink water throughout your day, there will be less for or brain fatigue.
Their body is prepared to handle the stress
They are simply ready to endure hardships in order to succeed. Endurance is not built by working 18 hours a day. This leads to burnout. We’re talking here about building physical strength through exercise so your body can endure every work challenge. Many entrepreneurs build their stamina trough the indoor cycling classes because they’re a challenge and we know that entrepreneurs like one. They also have an active commute in order to boost their focus and productivity for their work tasks. They choose an e-bike as their means of transportation and a tool to get their blood flowing and pump up their mood. Physical strength allows you to stay focused longer and keeps your brain sharp and ready for work challenges.
They have a mentor
Every successful person has a mentor or a coach who’s been there to guide them during difficult times. This person knows how to listen, advise and support an entrepreneur during their hardships. You can’t do it on your own so find a mentor to guide you. This person will share their knowledge and teach you how to deal with work-life challenges. An experienced and skilled mentor can guide you to overcome obstacles along the way. He or she can teach you how to handle emotional responses and find the balance between working towards your goals and leading a fulfilled life.
They have a passion project
A passion project is a hobby or an idea entrepreneurs work on during their free time. This serves as a great motivator as it allows you to blow off some creativity and do something that is exciting. We’re not saying here that being an entrepreneur isn’t exciting. The point here is that hobbies are important too because they keep our minds sharp, get our creative juices flowing and inspire us to tackle any challenge.
They have a life aside from work
In order to be motivated once you enter the office in the morning, you need to have a life outside the office. A successful entrepreneur has probably sacrificed their personal life along the way, went through burnout or two and ultimately discovered the way to strike a proper balance between life and work. Learn from their mistakes and leave work at work. Once you get home it’s time to find inspiration in life’s pleasures like spending time with family, exercising, travelling, reading and so on. These activities are an integral part of successful stress management and better productivity at work.
These tips will enhance your ability to focus if you incorporate them into your day. Work on yourself every day so you can someone everyone else looks up to and admires their drive and focus. The way you approach your time at work and the time after it can significantly improve your focus.
