Is it really possible to work less and achieve more? It’s the dream of many business owners to have a more relaxed and profitable lifestyle, yet it can feel like a distant dream for many.
We know hard work pays off, but it’s common to see many people working in their business and not on their business.
We’re overloaded with tasks and constantly busy, yet all it takes is some simple strategies to cut back and work smarter that can drastically improve your results.
4 keys to working less
1. Focus on your priorities and income-generating tasks
It’s possible to work smarter (not harder) if you start with a clear plan. Look at your current projects and workload and then assess your goals and what you’d really like to be working on. You may notice that your daily tasks are not income-generating, or that aren’t going to move you to that next level.
It’s easy to get caught up in day-to-day admin of your business, but when you clearly know your goals and priorities, you can start to work less in that ‘busy’ zone and more in the results-driven zone.
2. Track your time
Use a time tracker for a few days to assess where you’re spending most of your time. Look back on data and see if you’re really working on your priority and income-generating tasks or whether you’re caught up doing work that can easily be outsourced or delegated.
While time-tracking, you can introduce some clever productivity hacks like the Pomodoro Technique. This is based on 25-minute work chunks that allow you to focus and ignore distractions. Find a method that works for you, and build your workday around your priorities.
3. Delegate or outsource
Once you’re aware of where you’re wasting time in your business, the next step is to delegate or outsource tasks that keep you from your priority list. Outsource anything that distracts you, isn’t in your zone of genius or that you simply don’t like doing. Once you delegate or outsource you’ll notice you’ve freed up precious time and brainpower to do what you enjoy and get better results doing so.
4. Cut down on unnecessary meetings and learn to say no
The final step in working less but achieving more is to learn to say no. Start with any unnecessary meetings or projects that aren’t leading you to your goals. It’s easy to be distracted by the next ‘big thing’, but staying focused on your own strategy and goals allows you to say no to anything that doesn’t support them.
Saying no can drastically improve your results and help you work less, as you’re focused and working smarter in the time you have available. Stay focused on what’s important to you and don’t let distractions get in the way of your goals.
