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Are your business goals too much to actually be accomplished in a day…so you wind up in a cycle of not really achieving anything?
Pick your highest priority goal – I recommend one linked to your fastest route to income – and dedicate just 15 minutes a day to working on it.
Here’s the key: schedule it on your calendar & work with no interruptions for a amount of short time.
I know I’ve been guilty of overestimating what I can get done in one day, and the number of projects I can work on at any given time. Building your online brand at the same time as your business only complicates things… suddenly your TO-DO list has a million things on it.
It can be easy to have Entrepreneurial ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and randomly work on things. Or you can get distracted by bright shiny objects like writing a book. In your mind you may thing you can do it in one week, until you realize that you’ve got a million other projects on the go at the same time!
On the flip side, some projects can look so huge that you just never get started. You keep putting it off and putting it off until you decide you’re just never going to get around to it.
Now it’s too big of a project to overhaul your whole work week, but you CAN start to have a huge impact in just a few dedicated minutes a day. You will feel like you’re making progress even when you don’t have much time to work on a project.
Focus on ONE THING that that’ll take you closer to your goals.
This is enough time to actually see some progress each day, but not too much time that you won’t be able to fit it into your already busy schedule. You may be thinking that projects will take too long to complete if you only give them 15 minutes per day, but they’ll take even longer if you never start! That 15 minute block is a way to motivate yourself, to keep you working consistently, and to help build momentum until you see something through to the end.
Make Sure Those 15 Minutes Are Productive
The best way to make sure you get the absolute most done in those 15 minutes is to be very clear on what you’re doing. If you’re writing a book or report, make sure you write an outline so that you can dig into any section whenever you have time. If not, spend one of your 15 minute chunks of time breaking down any project into smaller, more workable chunks. The chunk is too big if you can’t do it in 15 minutes! This really works to make things easier on you, so don’t skip this step!
Create a Routine
Pick a time of day when you will typically have 15 free minutes, and block this time off on your calendar for your task. Or, if you’re the kind of person who constantly seems to be on the move, keep a notebook/ smartphone/ eReader etc. on you so you can work on your project whenever you get a chance: at the doctor’s office, while waiting for a friend, sitting in a taxi and so on. Refer back to your priority list — which can be as simple as knowing what the next day will be focused on.
Hold Yourself Accountable
Let someone else know your goals. A partner or friend or coach can help to keep you accountable, or you could even post daily updates on a blog and get others to join in. Whatever works for you! It’s also a great idea to keep a running list of what you HAVE accomplished. It’s a great motivator to see your progress.
Does It Really Work?
I think a ton of energy can be wasted thinking about your long to-do list (I know this is true for me!) Ask yourself: when do you feel the happiest and most successful…when you’ve been thinking about doing something for a while but are trying to get the motivation to actually start, or when you stop thinking and start doing? You will actually be IMPLEMENTING change instead of THINKING about change! That should be enough for you to stop beating yourself up and to start feeling proud that you’re taking action on your goals.
TAKE ACTION: Every single person can find 15 free minutes in their day. There are no more excuses! You’ll be IMPLEMENTING CHANGE in no time!
Hello Service-Based Entrepreneur,
I know it’s easy to get overwhelmed by reading blog posts full of ideas, tactics & tools. Be honest...
- How frustrated will you be trying to implement this on your own?
- How much time will you waste if it's not your next best step?
- Did you just take the time to read this but you won't make any changes?
- Or are you ready to take a small next step to build your brand?
Get clarity & your next step forward!
I'm here to help you with your marketing for the new normal & beyond. Let's talk about your options to work with me on a FREE 30-min call.
To your success,
Marketing Strategist & Designer
I offer a blend of 30+ years of expertise in marketing, websites, brand identity, strategy, tech solutions, and more.
I work with service-based entrepreneurs with a practical and flexible approach to adjust to changes in business & life. Let’s talk about how we can work together to start & grow your business.
