#85: Do You Have A "Grip" On Your Online Business?

Balancing work, family and other commitments can be a real challenge in this increasingly fast-paced world. Sometimes you can feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to do everything. Though luckily, there are plenty of practical and proven ways to reduce your time pressures and get your busy life under control again. Here are some of the best: Identify your task priorities and do those first.Knowing what jobs take priority helps you to tackle the stuff that really matters. Write everything in one diary Do you have a work diary, and a social calendar, and a to-do list, and a digital diary and a year planner? The problem with having so many different planning systems is that it’s very easy to lose track of what you’re supposed to be doing when, and it’s all too easy to double-book events. Try to settle on one diary system that works best for you, and keep it with you so you can refer to it often. Think of it as your Bible, and be very familiar with its contents. It could be a hard copy diary (make sure it has hourly timeframes) or a digital version such as Google Calendar or Microsoft Outlook. These digital diaries allow you to colour-code your tasks and create privacy settings so only you can see your personal entries. Used well, they can be a great tool for improving your time management Schedule as much as you can Scheduling really is the key to getting your life organised and feeling like you’re in control. Schedule your meetings, your leisure activities, your study time, your household chores, your grocery shopping. Schedule unscheduled time! Use time-frames, rather than leaving things open-ended. Estimate how long a task is going to take and give yourself a bit of leeway. For example, "complete my report Tuesday 2-4pm". When a task is scheduled, your stress and anxiety levels reduce because you’re not worried about whether or not you’ll have the time to do it – it’s right there in your diary, so it’s almost as if it’s already done. If your plans are disrupted, immediately re-schedule your task Our routines are disrupted all the time. Your child gets sick, your workmate needs advice urgently, your client has an important issue that needs addressing. It’s vital to re-schedule your interrupted task immediately so you keep on track. Do one thing at a time, and minimise distractions Effective multi-tasking is a myth. Numerous studies show we are more productive when we focus on one task at a time. Sometimes this can be a challenge, especially if you’re working in an open-plan office. Look for ways to minimise your distractions by turning off notifications on your digital devices, finding a quiet space somewhere, or telling colleagues that you won’t be available for the next hour. Delegate as much as you can If you’re in a position to delegate jobs, use this privilege to free up time for yourself and to give others opportunities for growth. Ensure you create clear expectations for them, and be available for advice and direction. If you do these two things right, you’re empowering the delegate, not just bossing them. If you feel overwhelmed by a big project, break it down into steps Tackling big projects can be a daunting prospect, and it can be difficult to know where to start. When this happens, it helps to create a timeline and break it down into smaller steps. This way, you only have to focus on completing one step at a time. Schedule breaks if needed   If you start suffering burn-out, it’s important to schedule your breaks - even if it’s just for 5 or 10 minutes – to ensure you get the rest and relaxation you need. You’ll always be more efficient and productive if you take regular breaks, rather than trying to work through for hours on end. Your brain requires a refresh now and then to work at its optimum. Use timeframes for actioning emails Dealing with emails can be a time-sucking monster for many of us. Constantly checking and responding to them can take up much of your day, and disrupt your routine. Scheduling specific timeframes for checking and actioning emails can make a big difference to your productivity. Reading emails once in the morning and once in the afternoon can be an effective way to create more time. Also, remember that if something is really that urgent or important, you’ll probably get a phone call, not an email. At the start of your day or week, organise as much as you can You’ll know that certain tasks need to be done or that specific appointments need to be kept for the coming day or week, so schedule these into your diary at the start, and add more tasks around them later. The more organised you are at the beginning of your work week, the smoother things will go. Keep your surroundings neat and tidy Your physical surroundings can have a detrimental effect on your state of mind. If your workspace is messy and unorganised, your mind tends to reflect that, which will be damaging to your ability to perform your job effectively. Try to keep your home clean and tidy as well, so it’s a sanctuary that gives you a sense of calm and wellbeing, and allows you to unwind and re-charge after work. Look for ways to improve your systems Finally, systems can always be improved, so seek out innovative ways to make your life easier by streamlining processes and procedures, and using new technology to maximise efficiencies. Resources mentioned in this episode: Do you have a grip on your business, or does your business have a grip on you? Traction By Gino Wickman All entrepreneurs and business leaders face similar frustrations—personnel conflict, profit woes, and inadequate growth. Decisions never seem to get made, or, once made, fail to be properly implemented. But there is a solution. It’s not complicated or theoretical.The Entrepreneurial Operating System is a practical method for achieving the business success you have always envisioned. More than 2,000 companies have discovered what EOS can do. In Traction, you’ll learn the secrets of strengthening the six key components of your business. You’ll discover simple yet powerful ways to run your company that will give you and your leadership team more focus, more growth, and more enjoyment. Successful companies are applying Traction every day to run profitable, frustration-free businesses—and you can too. For an illustrative, real-world lesson on how to apply Traction to your business, check out its companion book, Get A Grip. I own a small business and this is by far the best book I've ever read. I don't have a background in business or marketing- I literally turned my side hustle into a legit job that pays my bills, and this book has helped me tremendously. It lays everything out with action steps that you can take immediately to improve your business. Additionally, it has "tests" that you can complete to gauge where your business at at, on a level of success, and you can track your progress.  Is It Time To Get Better At Google Ads? The Ultimate Google Ads Catch-Up Plan I Want To Grow My Business.. I Want To Sell More Products... Sound Familiar? Get The Results You Want By Creating Profitable Campaigns. Join My Free Masterclass Now! Discover the 7 Absolutely Killer Tips For Google Ads So You Can Generate More Sales. [FREE] Google Ads Video Training Series. Get Instant Access Here >> p.s. Please subscribe over on iTunes. It really does help this podcast to grow! Drop me a note in the comments section over at  https://www.philadair.com and let me know your thoughts. Listen to the full episode now: Download here >> p.s. Please subscribe over on iTunes. It really does help this podcast to grow! Drop me a note in the comments section over at PhilAdair.com and let me know your thoughts.  Listen to the full episode now >> ⠀⠀ How To Create Irresistible Headlines (People Can't Help But Click) Get Instant Access Here >> Remember to subscribe to this podcast and check out my [FREE] Google Ads Video Training Series. Get Instant Access Here >> 7 Absolutely Killer Tips For Google Ads & Why They Crush The Competition.   Free Mini-Online Course. Start here >>   How to Build an Email List FAST - 27 "Super-Actionable" Strategies You Can Use for FREE Download The eBook Here >> Phil Adair Suite 12, 5th Floor, Dymocks Building 428 George Street, Sydney 2000, NSW, Australia   W: www.PhilAdair.com I’m a huge fan of connecting on social media. If you’re on these social networks, then let’s follow each other:  Twitter  Facebook YouTube Pinterest Instagram