5 Productivity Hacks for Entrepreneurs

Take Breaks

Hustle mode is so 2015.
Listen, I get it. Your to-do list is a mile long and the thought of taking more breaks seems counter-productive.
Well, it’s not.
In fact, it’s science.
Research shows that taking purposeful breaks from work to refresh your brain and body increases your energy, productivity, and ability to focus.
I sit down to work for 90 minutes then take a 10 minute break to refill my water, pause outside while the dogs potty, or just let the sun hit my face.
Set an alarm if you have to as a reminder while you start small.

Take your lunch break to actually eat lunch.

You’d be surprised at the amount of people I hear say they work through their lunch or eat at their desk.
I know, that to-do list is still long, but you deserve this time to fuel your body.
Mindful eating will help you feel more satisfied, full, and help to reduce distractions.
Really, take 30 minutes. Chew slowly, allow your body to digest the way it wants to, and enjoy the mental slow down.

Time Block your Work Day

In my Life Strategy Coaching, time blocking is a huge tool we use to organize our life.
It’s a great organizational tool for your business as well.
In a time-block planner, highlight your work hours.
For me, it’s 9am to 4 pm.
Make a master list of all the work to-dos you have in your head or on your list.
Then, plug in your non-negotiable tasks like work meetings or appointments.
Next, identify where the gaps are in your work day and slowly start pulling tasks from your master to-do list, plugging them into your gaps.
Use this now as a guide to keep you focused and on task each day.

Shift your Lens

As an entrepreneur, it can be hard to shift from task to task.
It’s even harder to turn work on when you need to and shut it off when you need to shut it off.
Find some cues in your current flow that will help you make the routine transitions.
I know that after I make my post-workout shake, it’s my time to get changed and start work.
During the work day, between tasks, I’ll stand up and shake my legs out.
To turn work off for the day, I leave the house to either take my dog on a walk or visit my horse.
The purpose is to snap yourself out of one headspace so you can move into the next with ease.

Detach from your device

I don’t even have to tell you how distracting our phones are.
Right?
I mean, take a day using my Gap-Finder Journal and track what your daily habits are.
The number one feedback I hear from people is how shocked they are by how much time they spend on their phones.
As an entrepreneur whose job is to be active on social media, it makes that disconnect even harder.
Give yourself time to scroll when it fits in your flow then use app limits, screen time alerts, and/or plug your phone in another room when you need your focus to be on other things.