“I was planning on going to the gym tonight, but a client called…”
“I was going to go for a run, but I’m too busy today…”
Sound familiar? Given that entrepreneurs usually have incredibly packed schedules, it can be challenging to create room for a fitness routine. I’ve already discussed 4 ways you can sneak exercise into your workday with next to no scheduling adjustments. Here I’ll focus on creating room specifically for fitness. That means getting more work done in less time, so you have more time left over for fitness (and other things you enjoy)!
Here are 4 ways you can get your work done more quickly, creating space for health and fitness. (Remember that a healthy body is an important business investment! Good health means good productivity, creativity, and energy.)
1. Delete distractions.
Getting rid of things that decrease your productivity is just as important as learning skills to increase productivity. Learn to say “no”, don’t multitask, turn off your e-mail when you need to concentrate on other projects, and use a notebook to record ideas so they don’t take up valuable real estate in your head. Try to minimize anything that will distract you from the task at hand.
2. Optimize your mind for ultimate performance.
Your mind is one of the most effective weapons against procrastination, stress, distractions, and time wasting. Hone your mental superpowers and increase productivity by practicing meditation – simply sit comfortably and focus on your breath for 5 minutes. You could also create a vision board to keep yourself on track for achieving longer-term goals.
3. Optimize your workspace for ultimate performance.
Our surroundings affect our mental state, which means a cluttered workspace can lead to a cluttered mind (and thus, lowered productivity). Foster productivity and inspiration at your workspace by letting in lots of natural light and fresh air, having a “home” for all your office supplies and desktop items, creating an effective filing system, and giving your workspace an overhaul clean-up every 2 or 3 weeks.
4. Use your secret weapons: productivity-boosting apps.
Getting more done in less time isn’t about stockpiling as many secret weapons as possible. Rather, it’s about finding a select few that work for you in boosting productivity. Some examples are Evernote (keep all your notes and interesting tidbits in one searchable database), Freedom (block access to the internet when you need to get work done), Menubar Countdown (keep yourself on schedule and on track), and Remember the Milk (To Do list and task management).
Bonus tip: Remember to schedule, schedule, schedule! I’ve mentioned the importance of scheduling before, but it bears repeating. As Isabelle always says, treat yourself as your own best client. Schedule time for your fitness, and treat those times as you would any other business commitment.
LEAP OF THE WEEK:
Choose one of the above tips to implement this week, and use your extra time for a quick walk outdoors, a 20-minute yoga session at home, or any other revitalizing fitness activity you enjoy. Which tip will you start with?
P.S. For more info on getting more done in less time, check out my brand new e-book, Productivity Gems.