As an entrepreneur, you don’t have a boss to tell you what to do, so it’s up to you to stay productive and get your work done. Let’s see the 4 steps for days you can’t focus on work.
However, staying productive and focused all day can be very difficult, even if you have a due date looming.
Therefore, here are some of our top tips to maintain focus and increase productivity, on the days you can’t focus on work.
Table of Contents
Break it Down
The first solution to help you get back on track is simply breaking down each project into smaller steps. For example, if you have a 1,000-word article to write, tell yourself to write only the first 100 words. From there, it’s more likely to put you into a flow, and you’ll start working effortlessly.
However, if it doesn’t put you into a flow, tell yourself to finish that section and then reward yourself. For example, that reward might be browsing social media for five minutes or getting a snack.
While the goal is to stop taking so many breaks, this approach will help you quit procrastinating and accomplish something. If you don’t use a strategy, you’ll probably just browse social media or get a snack before accomplishing anything, which will cause you to procrastinate even more.
Get Your Workout in Now
If you find that you still can’t focus using the strategy above, look at other items on your to-do list that aren’t work-related, though they still have to be done. For example, if you plan to do a workout or purchase groceries sometime during the day, do that now.
However, try to complete at least one small section of work before leaving. Otherwise, you’ll probably be more stressed out about the work you have at home while you’re working out, and it will defeat the purpose of the activity.
Working out is also an excellent practice to help you avoid procrastinating because you’ll come back in a better mood feeling that you have indeed accomplished something that day.
Have a Stimulating Conversation
Finally, some people are simply inspiring, and a quick conversation can motivate you. Therefore, if you have a friend or colleague that makes you excited to work, consider calling them. If you don’t have a network of people like this, think about podcasts that stimulate your desire to work.
While it’s not a good idea to procrastinate for another hour, accomplish one small piece of your task, watch a 5-10 minute video from that inspiring person, and then get back to work.
You Can Do It
Some days are easier to focus and work than others, and as an entrepreneur, it’s up to you to create something out of nothing.
However, if you repeatedly struggle to complete work, reconsider your “why” behind the business and remember what you are trying to accomplish. Besides, be sure to give yourself some time off. If you’re working through weekends and evenings, you’re probably facing burnout.
So don’t be too hard on yourself and remember to give yourself days off. While being your own boss is nice, you also need to be fair to yourself.
About the Author: Brad Wayland is the Chief Strategy Officer at BlueCotton, a site with high-quality, easy-to-design custom t-shirts.
