Do you ever feel like you are constantly chasing your tail with all the things you need to accomplish in 24 hours? Or that the work that you are doing is not serving you personally? I find myself feeling this from time to time. It is important to take a step back and look at your day-to-day tasks and ask yourself, is this what I want to be doing? Is this what I am supposed to be doing?
In the past I was presented with an activity that I recently did again. I was asked to write down every single thing I do from day-to-day. This list came out to be several pages long. I was then asked to prioritize them by the things I am really good at and enjoy and what I actually do not enjoy and am not as good as others at. This exercise challenged me to evaluate how I spend my time and how I can create an environment where I am actively doing the things I want to do.
I would challenge anyone to do this same activity. How do you spend your day? What are the things that take time that you can eliminate and outsource? What are things you aren’t doing that you want and need to be doing? Make sure to write it down — when you physically see a list, it sinks in a bit deeper. A common term for this, is “work smarter, not harder.” In order to do this, you have to have a clear plan.
Here are three tips to change the things you do from “have to do’s” to “want to do’s.”
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Delegate
Delegate, delegate, delegate. I have used a virtual assistant for a few years now. They help me accomplish things on my to-do list that need to be done, but don’t have to be done by me. For instance, calendaring. In every aspect of your life delegation is a tool that will help you be more successful.
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Time truly is valuable
Understanding the value of time is a great way to start your journey in working smarter. How much time does it actually take for you to accomplish the things that need to be done? When forming my own plan, I have found that when I delegate and respect my time, I only need five hours of uninterrupted work time.
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Prioritize
What are the to-do’s that need to be prioritized? It may be client activities that are billable, or tasks that need to be done by the end of the day. Whatever it is for you, prioritize it at the beginning of your day — this helps make the most of your time.
Delegating, respecting time and prioritizing are tips I use often. Take the time to look at your own day and make the decision if it can be adjusted, to align with these three things. Doing this could not only help you, but also those that work with you.
Lindsey Rainwater, also known as Lindsey RainH2O, is a sought-after business advisor, founder, writer and keynote speaker to the fitness and wellness industry. For more information about Rainwater, follow her on Twitter @LindseyRainH2o.
