How to be productive, not busy.
A lot of the time in our business, we spend time being busy—but we don't necessarily spend our time being PRODUCTIVE. What I mean by “being productive” is doing things that are actually going to bring in revenue and move the business forward.
So let’s talk about how we can shift our focus and prioritise the tasks that will actually move the needle in business.
Start by doing a “task audit”; a quick self-assessment of our recent activities. Take a moment to reflect on how you've been spending your time this week.
What tasks have consumed most of your attention and energy?
Are they the ones that contribute directly to your business's financial growth?
Or are they merely comfortable and familiar tasks that don't move the needle significantly?
Are there any recurring activities that no longer serve a purpose?
Can some tasks be outsourced to streamline your workflow?
It's so important to be able to identify where our efforts truly count. By addressing these questions, you'll gain clarity on how to better manage your time and resources.
Personally, I find it helpful to conduct a time audit using my trusty to-do list system. While my system may not work for everyone, the key is finding a method that suits you best. The goal is to analyse your task list periodically and determine whether each item aligns with your job description and ultimate business objectives.
During this audit, you often will realise you've been spending time on tasks outside of your responsibilities or “zone of genius”. It's a common temptation to step in and handle things ourselves, believing we can do it faster or better. However it means we unintentionally disempower our team members. Business ownership and leadership often means letting others learn from their mistakes and allowing them the opportunity to develop (even if we find their learning curve frustrating!).
When working on your to-do list and task audit, another approach that might work for you is the four-quadrant system where you categorise tasks based on urgency and importance.
Begin by tackling the tasks that fall into the "urgent and important" quadrant. Once those are taken care of, move on to the tasks that are important but less time-sensitive, and so on, identifying the tasks that are better done by someone else… or perhaps not needing to be done at all!
This is all about finding ways you can make more time to work on your business instead of in it. While tending to the day-to-day operations is important, don't neglect strategic planning and personal growth. Carve out dedicated time to focus on learning, mentorship, and personal development. For me, this is something I have scheduled in my weekly plan for a period of time on Thursdays, and it’s something I really look forward to—even if it’s only for 1 hour or so.
Remember, your time is valuable. You work hard and you deserve to enjoy your business adventure, so make time for the things that lead to progress and bring you fulfilment!