5 Steps to Generate Unstoppable Energy

Kevin Shirley, Associate Broker (DC), GRI, ASP, e-PRO

Whether you are a student, a 9-to-5 office worker, or a bustling entrepreneur, there are some times when we feel exhausted and irritated. Even if you try hard to get things done in those hours, your mind may not be able to focus. In these situations, instead of reaching out for an unhealthy “energy” supplement or beverage, consider some trustworthy strategies to generate unstoppable energy.

You might have dreams and desires on your bucket list that you wish to achieve or long-term and short-term projects to be executed on an urgent (or non-urgent) basis. But to do all these things, one of the primary requirements is energy.

Many spiritual and medically proven practices can help you achieve the desired energy level to stay active all day long. When you choose the proper technique, it does not just assist you to achieve enhanced performance; it can also improve your health and happiness. Here are a few strategies to keep your energy levels up, no matter what’s on your plate!

Deal with the health issues

It is not always about general mood swings that can make you feel lazy or unmotivated at times. Many people also experience age-related problems and other health issues that may lead to a lack of energy. Fatigue is the most common symptom of most illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, anemia, arthritis, sleep apnea, and thyroid disease. If you feel tired all the time, you should contact your doctor and get evaluated to identify the presence of any of these diseases.

Additionally, some medications contribute to fatigue. The list includes antihistamines, blood-pressure medicines, and diuretics. If you have recently started a new medication, it could be the drug that’s making you feel tired; contact your physician.

People carrying too much weight for their frame may also experience a lack of energy, leading to various weight-related health issues. In this case, losing a little weight must be your primary goal. Studies reveal that even a slight reduction of body fat may help you improve vigor, mood, and quality of life. Once you can deal with your health problems, it gets easier to receive a boost of energy.

Get moving

If your job involves sitting in front of the computer hour after hour, you may feel a repeated decline in energy levels. Desk jobs harm your body in several ways, and the negative impact on energy levels is a common one. The computer screens also release bright light, which is harmful to human eyes, especially when you stare at a computer screen for many hours a day.

The best solution to regain your energy is to get moving. Experts advise desk job holders to take frequent breaks and walk around. It may help you to release the strain and feel fresh to work actively again. You can also do some simple exercises of moving your neck, legs, and arms to avoid fatigue and extended pressure.

Exercises are closely linked to the improved overall quality of life. Along with frequent breaks and short walks between your work hours, you should also set up a good routine for exercise every day. If possible, routine exercise, even moderate exercise, is the best way to stay energetic and active all day long. You can start with exercises, yoga, and meditation to boost your energy level. Studies reveal that people who follow these tips and tactics are likely to enjoy more self-confidence while enjoying improved efficiency of lungs, heart, and muscles.

It is also good to maintain your posture while working on a computer or phone. People who sit with the proper posture enjoy more energy, clear-mindedness, and confidence. Whereas those who are least aware of their posture are most likely to experience fatigue and other muscle issues.

Stay hydrated

Dehydration can zap your energy while impairing physical performance as well. Several research studies reveal that dehydration can make it harder for sports enthusiasts and athletes to perform well in the field. Dehydration is also linked to fatigue and loss of efficiency in getting things done.

Whether you spend the entire day in an office cubicle cabin or handle on-the-go tasks, staying hydrated is vital for everyone. Experts advise drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated and active all day long. Many people like consuming energy drinks to increase their concentration and alertness, but these are not healthy options. Consider fresh juice and water instead to stay hydrated.

You can incorporate healthy homemade juices into your breakfast, and don’t forget to throw some fruit into your briefcase each morning so that you can eat them during short breaks during your workday. These vitamin and nutrition-rich food items can also work on maintaining a proper hydration level for your body. Carry a bottle of water with you during your field visits so that you can sip few drops whenever needed.

In this technology-inspired era, you can also find apps that remind you about drinking water from time to time. These apps collect your health data automatically and then start providing alarms whenever it is the right time to drink water. This technique may help you to maintain the proper hydration level in your body.

Enjoy a good night’s sleep

Lack of sleep is often another main reason behind increased fatigue and lack of energy. Hectic work schedules, household chores, social responsibilities, and career-related challenges often make people stressed and depressed. As a result, they experience a disruption in sleep patterns or are affected by insomnia. Poor sleep quality can affect your energy levels for the next day, and you will not achieve peak performance levels.

It is essential to judge your body clock and set a proper time for rest and work. Instead of exhausting your body by overworking, consider what your brain structure and genetics demand. It is better to understand your body’s natural daily energy patterns since they are tough to change. You can set up your schedules according to those patterns to achieve higher productivity levels.

Be aware of your own cardiac rhythms and set up your sleep and wake-up times accordingly. Do your best to get six to seven hours of sleep each night, and you may even try a 10-minute power nap during the days to get an instant boost of energy. A short rest can help you boost your body’s alertness and energy level immediately after the nap and in the long run.

Increase energy spiritually

Along with all these medically proven practices, you can also follow few simple and trusted spiritual ways to generate positive energy all day long. The idea is to reconnect to the broader source of energy that can help you feel motivated to stay active all the time. Many people believe that reconnecting with nature helps them get immersed in the deep sea of energy.

Practice deep breathing and try to focus on the source of energy. Instead of stressing yourself about accomplishing tasks, try to feel relaxed for a while, and soon you will be able to enjoy the enhanced focus.

Other than this, the best thing you can do to enjoy energy and positivity in life is to stay tuned to the present moment. Instead of overthinking about the past or worrying about the future, keep your attention on the present moment. It will help you avoid all the stress and worries while enjoying a positive attitude about situations.

INTERNET ROUNDUP: Become a Mindful Entrepreneur

The right mindset can make you a more energized, productive, and peaceful business owner.

MINDFUL ENTREPRENEURSHIP: 6 PRODUCTIVITY TIPS FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS

From Microsoft to HSBC, the business world has embraced mindfulness in a big way. And it’s no surprise. Top executives know that a decrease in stress over today’s worries, and anxiety over tomorrow’s potential woes, paves the way for mental clarity, creative thinking, higher-level awareness for better decision making, restful sleep — in general, a more productive, happy employee, who performs closer to their full potential. But what about entrepreneurs: the startups and the small businesses? [BUSINESSLOAD]

ENTREPRENEURSHIP WITH PURPOSE: SEVEN TIPS FOR LEADING WITH INTENTION

Tapping into your purpose to lead with intention is one of the best ways to make the grinding work of being an entrepreneur feel more energized, joy-filled, and passionate. Leading with intention also can also help minimize the physical strains of working hard, such as stress, tension, and anxiety, and support a healthier team and business. [FORBES]

HOW TO BE A MINDFUL ENTREPRENEUR: CLARITY + ORGANIZATION

Mindful entrepreneurship is something I’ve been actively practicing and improving on since I started my business. Even some small mindset changes can benefit your mental and physical health, and make you a more balanced and productive CEO of your business. [MADEONSUNDAYS]

Lazy Productivity: Get More Done by Doing Less

Kevin Shirley, Associate Broker (DC), GRI, e-PRO, ASP

Everyone’s looking for a healthy, happy, and productive lifestyle. Whether you are a new or seasoned entrepreneur, building a business is unquestionably an arduous task. There are millions of things that you need to handle every day. You have to become a deft master of constant prioritization and reprioritization. The unceasing workload may sometimes drive you crazy. While you’re putting one task to bed, ten others may pop up — some with urgent deadlines.

We all have 24 hours a day, but truly successful people know how to make the best out of those limited 24 hours. If you’re seeking to have a comfortable lifestyle while taking your business to new heights, it is essential to understand how to become productive. Productivity can be achieved by working harder, naturally. But what about working “smarter?” And what of working harder and smarter when what you’d REALLY rather be doing is binge-watching The Serpent on Netflix while munching on a Grubhub delivery?

Is there a place for laziness in the realm of productivity?

But before we talk about how to boost your work efficiency, it is vital to turn our attention to how some entrepreneurs have turned their natural laziness into productivity. Although society has always frowned upon the habit of laziness, at some point, it can also turn out to be a talent. Sometimes, even the laziest people turn out to be the most successful and well-driven.

It is laborious for many entrepreneurs to plan their slate of products and services and then release them successfully to the world. And sometimes, regardless of your 30,000-foot plan, you just want to coast. So, consider if there’s a way to make your natural tendency toward laziness pay off. Bill Gates once said that it is better to hire lazy people to do challenging tasks because they will find an easier way to get that job done.

Here are a few trusted tips from experts to help you get more done by doing less — and with enhanced productivity levels:

Find the most suitable working hours for you

Most people struggle to get things done on time because they work at odd times. You can be more productive when you identify the best time for you to work. Some people perform better in the morning hours; others can enjoy total productivity at midnight.

If you find that you cannot force yourself to work at any specific time of the day or cannot get rid of the lazy behaviors, try to figure out if there’s a particular time when you feel motivated to get things done. At that particular time, you will find it easier to accomplish tasks sooner, and then you will find more time to relax.

After identifying the right time to work, eliminate distractions

The great news is that many technological advancements have become an integral part of human life these days. On one side, they offer significant growth opportunities to the current generation of entrepreneurs and consumers, but these modern age devices can also prove to be distractions when you’re trying to work. Studies reveal that gadgets and devices have become the most significant source of procrastination. Monotasking — the practice of dedicating oneself to a given task — is a recent productivity buzzword, but the science backs up its value. Doing one thing at a time, rather than “multitasking,” does make you more productive. That said, monotasking is virtually impossible when all your gadgets are constantly alerting you to incoming e-mail, texts, upcoming calendar appointments, etc. Learn how to minimize your interruptions, and you’ll get more done.

If you want to become more productive, it is crucial to block distractions from your routines. The best idea is to turn off notifications for your e-mails and social media; thus, you will be able to stop wasting time checking the alerts time and again. People who know how to eliminate distractions from day-to-day life are likely to become more productive. You can also use some modern age apps that are designed to help people to eliminate distractions.

Cut work that doesn’t matter

This is probably the hardest thing to do. But you need to analyze where you spend most of your time and what results you are getting from that. It is essential to understand that 80% of your overall results come from 20% of your work; therefore, it is vital to eliminate tasks with a low return on your investment of time. You should only focus on things that bring some positive output for you.

If you are a business owner, you have to analyze the outcomes of every task you do routinely. Make sure you prioritize tasks based on how much time they will take and how much profit they can make for you. Experts advise cutting the work that doesn’t matter at all for your business. When you stay focused only on the essential tasks, you can automatically be more efficient and productive. Moreover, you will be able to complete things on time and spare more time to relax.

The key takeaway

To boost your productivity levels, you might try taking a nap. This is the fastest way to restore your energy magically. You may also need to take a break after completing exhausting tasks; it can help you regain your strength to work efficiently on the following tasks. Other than this, you need to organize your routines in such a manner that you can stay more focused on productive tasks.

Bottom line

Experts advise following the 80/20 method to become more productive in life. This method involves analyzing 20% of activities that consume 80% of your routine time. This technique can help you to prioritize next steps and get them done on time, with more time to spare for fun with your loved ones!

Use Mind-Mapping to Get Clarity about Your Business

Kevin Shirley, Associate Broker (DC), GRI, e-PRO, ASP

No matter what stage your business, you face many challenges every day. And even if you’ve received in-depth training in project management in your business education, the day-to-day reality doesn’t match those visions all the time. But to carry out your vision, you first have to have one. And if you don’t have clarity about your business, the process is challenging. Experts suggest mind-mapping as one strategy to direct your journey and bring your business’ vision into focus. This approach can help you brainstorm thoughts and process ideas organically, either alone or in a group setting.

What is mind mapping?

In simple terms, mind mapping is a strategy for “downloading” thoughts about a topic through doodling, writing, or visual thinking exercise. The strategy is intended to bring everything swirling around your mind onto paper. When we get stuck between multiple ideas, doubts, and visions in our minds, it’s hard to see them clearly. It’s essential to lay down all the content in your brain to see a clear picture of what is happening in this situation.

Mind maps are basically diagrams that provide the visual organization of information while helping business owners get the best outcomes from brainstorming sessions. This approach is also helpful for communication and collaboration with team members. By plotting all the disparate ideas into one clean diagram, you can turn monotonous or complex information into a memorable, colorful, and well-organized illustration.

Note that, in the mind map, compared to the traditional note or linear text, the information is structured so that it resembles the natural processing of your brain. Since mind mapping activity is both artistic and analytical, it engages the human brain more richly while improving all cognitive functions.

How to draw a mind map?

Now, you might be interested to know the best ways to draw mind maps. Well, this can be done quickly by following a few simple guidelines:

Start from the middle of a large blank paper and start drawing your idea. It is better to follow landscape orientation for your paper so that structure can grow easily.
Develop all the relevant subtopics around the center topic while connecting them with a centerline running between them.
Repeat this process for all the subtopics, generate other lower-level subtopics as they fit, and connect everything to the corresponding main lines.
Use drawings, colors, and symbols copiously. Try to be more visual with your mind map. Anyone can draw mind maps; this simple technique can help you achieve great results.
Choose topic labels carefully; they should be short, one- or two-word indicators. Do not be tempted to write long lines or phrases; simple illustrations and brief descriptors tend to make mind maps more effective.
Whether you are drawing the main idea, subtopic, or lower-level subtopics, it is vital to vary text size, alignment, and color. The line thickness and length can also be altered at all levels to emphasize important points.
Make a careful selection of colors depending upon whether you are drawing main ideas, subtopics, or other elements.

Once you follow these simple tips and tricks to design mind maps, the strategy will be easier to process and identify the best opportunities. Moreover, you will find better ways to execute those ideas in the long run.

Benefits of mind mapping for entrepreneurs

A mind map is widely recognized as one of the most effective techniques that successful entrepreneurs can use to be more productive during their brainstorming sessions. Below are a few benefits of mind mapping for entrepreneurs to help you make an easy analysis:

Increase efficiency. The first most important aspect of mind maps is that they can increase overall efficiency and speed of processing ideas for your brain. Mind maps help organize data and visions more accurately; moreover, you can make changes more efficiently. Therefore, when you have an extensive amount of data to process in your mind, it is better to go ahead with mind mapping to save time and achieve better planning.
Structure hierarchies. Mind maps work with hierarchies, which allows users to see all levels in one go. This is the main reason why mind mapping makes things easier for you to process. The structured hierarchies develop better relationships among thoughts, and business owners can clearly track their ultimate objectives.
Get more ideas. Business professionals need dynamic analysis of opportunities, risks, and challenges to grow in the competitive market. Often, the panels run out of ideas during brainstorming sessions, and it may hamper future outcomes. Mind maps can improve creativity levels while highlighting ideas, concepts, and related words more clearly. This multi-layered solution can help your brain to think efficiently while building more robust ideas.
Improve decision making. Mind maps are a way to become an efficient decision-maker for the growth of your business. When everything is listed out in a detailed manner and structured way, your brain can naturally process the pros and cons relevant to every solution more carefully. As a result, your brain can balance the thoughts while presenting better decisions after rationalizing all information.

Innovation and creative thinking are two strong pillars of success in the business world. The spatial layouts with keywords, connections, and colorful maps can help you brainstorm every business-related issue with a clear mindset. This method helps every aspect of your business, such as developing a new product, setting up a marketing campaign, and making a pitch. Make sure you follow a standard approach to transforming an extensive list of ideas into well-organized mind maps. These pictorial representations can soon help you nurture a successful journey for your business.

INTERNET ROUNDUP: The surprising connection between laziness and productivity

Everyone experiences moments of laziness from time to time. In the business world, we’re accustomed to considering it a bad thing. But what if it’s not? What if laziness can actually help us become more productive and successful?

ARE LAZY PEOPLE MORE EFFICIENT AND INNOVATIVE THAN WE THINK?

Turns out, laziness might be the mother of invention. Are you feeling lazier lately? You can’t go to the gym. You’re probably stuck at home. You might be sitting on your couch writing an article about laziness in your pajamas. And you could be feeling a bit guilty about it. But what if a bit of laziness was a positive thing? What if laziness was a sign of intelligence or a driver of innovation? [PHYS]

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SCIENCE: LAZY PEOPLE ARE LIKELY TO BE SMARTER, MORE SUCCESSFUL, AND BETTER EMPLOYEES. WHO KNEW?

Let’s be honest, lazy people get a bad rap, especially when some of the world’s most successful billionaires are perceived as the exact opposite. Virgin Group founder Richard Branson, for instance, gets up at 5 a.m. every day. He answers emails, eats breakfast with his family, reads the news, takes meetings, and plays sports like tennis, running, and kitesurfing (what?!) — all before going to bed at 11 p.m. Basically, Branson is an incredibly active and accomplished individual (and it should be a crime to call him lazy). [CNBC]

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HOW BEING LAZY CAN MAKE YOU MORE PRODUCTIVE: LOAF YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS

American culture doesn’t value rest nearly enough. Our work ethic, passed down from the no-nonsense Puritans who landed on our shores in the 17th century, equates a busy life with a good life. Many of us feel that taking a break from our never-ending to-do list will kill the prolific productivity that we’ve come to worship. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, a little laziness is essential to your productivity. [BELIEFNET]

The Science of Inspiration: How to Stay Inspired

Kevin Shirley, Associate Broker (DC), GRI, e-PRO, ASP

Inspiration can be defined as the process through which we get mentally stimulated to achieve something, especially to do something creative. Inspiration is helpful in almost every sphere of life since it motivates us to work on our ideas and dreams and manifest them into an elegant reality. Several studies reveal that inspired people are open to cherishing new life experiences while showing more determination towards every task they undertake in their personal and professional lives.

There are so many ways to maintain inspiration in the workplace. Some people keep clips of articles, quotes, and interviews on their desks that help them stay connected to their visions. Others hang engaging images that can reflect their goals, hobbies, passion, and other sources that motivate them. Still others find inspiration in listening to music. If you are allowed to listen to music in your workplace, play some healthy tunes that remind you of some good times or encourage focus. Listening to music can bring positive vibes to your routines and help to enhance productivity. Expressing gratitude is another way to feel inspired and positive. Simply write down 5–10 things for which you feel grateful. Doing this before beginning your day may help you stay motivated all day long.

Beyond these basic strategies to stay inspired and focused, you should also understand the science of inspiration. Here are some essential details about the scientific forces behind the inspiration.

Brain waves, neuroplasticity, and sleep effect on the human brain

Creativity works in association with inspiration, but the surprising fact is that there’s no one state in which inspiration might find you. Inspiration can come when you are groggy, relaxed, or even a little bit drunk. The main reason behind this is neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is a process that happens inside the human brain to form new connections and neural pathways. When you develop a connection between two thoughts or ideas, it’s not just a simple metaphor; rather, your brain actually starts restructuring itself to manage those new processes. As the human brain develops the concept of associative memory, the brain’s increased plasticity is likely to lead to more inspirational and creative thoughts.

Even though the human brain is constantly making new connections at the neuron level, this process doesn’t work with peak efficiency all the time. But when we are alert, focused, and attentive, our brains are likely to experience increased production of the beta waves that are further responsible for powering our tasks and getting things done. Conversely, when you get ready to sleep, your brain starts following slower changes with reduced activity of brain waves. Scientific studies reveal that the human brain exhibits alpha waves when it is relaxed, and the theta waves start arising before one falls asleep. However, the slowest waves in the brain, delta waves, occur when we are in a deep sleep state.

Obviously, the human brain doesn’t stay in the same state all the time. But the basic principle of making new connections and weakening the unfavorable ones keeps ongoing. Depending upon the plasticity of your brain, you will be able to enjoy more creativity in life.

How neuroplasticity works for encouraging inspiration?

As plasticity levels directly relate to how creative and inspired a person stays in day-to-day life, it is essential to find ways to increase plasticity. You might be already doing some of these things in your daily life, but here are a few trusted methods to achieve your brain’s high plasticity level:

Exercise: Doing regular exercises may help you to increase neuroplasticity in brain structures.
Read: Reading allows people to build new neural paths and connections in the brain. This is a great way to encourage plasticity in your brain.
Meditate: Meditation creates a wide range of positive effects on the human brain: increased creativity, improved memory, increased compassion, and decreased anxiety.
Play video games: This may sound surprising, but studies have proven that certain video games are capable of increasing grey matter in your brain.

The list of methods to increase the brain’s neuroplasticity levels may go on, but the central concept behind it is that one should do things that can enhance the brain’s overall health and activity level. If you do not challenge your brain toward creative pursuits, it will not have the opportunity to form new pathways to boost performance.

Quick tips to boost inspiration

Be thoughtful and creative in your daily life so that your brain can follow the solid wiring to process your ideas.
If you are planning to tackle some creative endeavor, you should first “fill the well” with good ideas, and it is possible by looking at the similar kind of works that people have done before. This may help you to get inspired and find ways to do it more efficiently.
Document your ideas so to encourage your brain to make new connections. Ask for feedback from others for different perspectives.

These simple techniques can help you stay inspired to work efficiently and achieve better returns in every sphere of life.

Set Your Second Quarterly Goals in 5 Steps (Workbook Included)

Kevin Shirley, Associate Broker (DC), GRI, e-PRO, ASP

The successful sales journey grows out of a smart strategy, great planning, an abundance mindset, and seamless execution. To succeed in your chosen field, you’ll need to create realistic goals you can meet on a set deadline.

QUARTERLY GOAL-SETTING WEBINAR BROADCAST WITH KEVIN SHIRLEY

Although nearly every person sets some short- and long-term goals in life, not everyone can achieve them. Many people fail simply because they make a list of goals every month or every new year and then never look at them again. But when you’re serious about succeeding in your career or business, it is necessary to take the right actions to achieve your desired outcomes. Experts advise breaking down the long-term goals into small actionable steps that can be processed and managed well.

You can set goals on a weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly basis. The important thing is to get them down in writing. We each have lots of personal and professional goals, and to achieve them, we need proper planning and alignment. Experts assert that we are more likely to achieve what we set out when we make goal-oriented decisions with a thoughtful, intentional mindset.

Click on the image below for a free, 25-page workbook to assist you in setting your quarterly goals:

Here are five ways to get started:

Step 1: Learn from the past

The first, most critical thing you need to do before setting up your quarterly goals is identifying what you achieved in the current or previous quarter. You should consider your wins and losses from the previous three months and decide future measures and plans accordingly.

Whether you are new to the business industry or are leading a successful brand, it is crucial to understand what has been working in your favor what went wrong. Then adjust your strategy and goals for the future quarter accordingly.

Many professionals consider only their successes when evaluating past performance, but understanding the factors behind failures is equally important. When evaluated carefully, failures can help you avoid making similar mistakes in the long run. In fact, the greatest success stories in business are often accompanied by failures — sometimes extreme failures — at some point. Therefore, don’t feel discouraged about failures; instead, remember that they may present new heights to your business.

Prepare a realistic track record of what you have planned and executed in the past. This information may help you get a quick review of all strategies and inspire your future plans as well.

Step 2: Decide and prioritize your goals

Considering your past experience as an important guide for the coming quarter is the first step in planning your future goals. This can be carried out as an executive-team exercise or companywide process depending upon your business’s culture and company size.

When you write down your goals, figure out the ultimate accomplishments associated with them. Prepare a list of essential actions that you would like to take in the coming twelve weeks to improve your brand reputation. Now break down this larger plan into smaller sections and assign quarterly goals.

At the same time, you need to organize and prioritize objectives to ensure better planning and execution for the quarter. Do not forget to assign priorities to every person involved in the process so that they consider themselves responsible for accomplishing important tasks. Make sure you assign realistic and attainable goals with a reliable time-frame.

Start by focusing on the priority-based tasks to gain more confidence, and your business will soon find ways to grow in a competitive market. Also, assign these priority-based tasks to specific people so that they can make more efforts to achieve objectives within a limited time period.

Step 3: Establish responsibility and find an accountability partner

When you choose your business goals, it is important to make someone accountable for them (probably yourself!). Once the quarterly or weekly breakdown is done, every team member must be assigned a set of tasks. Simultaneously, it is important to assign set time deadlines to complete specific tasks to achieve the main goals on time.

Sometimes, it is challenging to ensure the desired level of productivity towards your business goals. In many situations, it becomes increasingly difficult to stay focused and accomplish a set of tasks, especially when you are the boss and actively involved in many other business-related activities, like lead generation.

Therefore, experts advise finding one or more accountability partners to ensure that you get things done on time. You can take help from your partner, friend, or spouse to handle the sequence, priority, and organization of tasks. If that’s not feasible, you may wish to find a professional coach who can act as your accountability partner.

When you have an accountability partner and every team member is assigned a task with a certain deadline, it is possible to achieve better returns in the long run. An accountability partner provides a clear, dispassionate analysis of your failures and success rates. An accountability partner or coach can also give you suggestions regarding what you must accomplish next and organize your goals and required action steps.

Step 4: Focus on collaboration and communication

No matter what kind of business you are running, you may have some milestones to be achieved on a monthly or weekly basis. To ensure that everyone involved in the team understands the set goals and milestones very well, you must learn to collaborate and communicate with each other. Those involved with the weekly milestones can provide you better updates on what they have completed at every next step. The team leaders also need to stay updated about the ongoing activities, failures and wins as well.

It is important to organize meetings from time to time to ensure proper communication among teammates. Whether your teams are working in-house or from remote locations, it is necessary to hold meetings to analyze performances and productivity levels from time to time. Collaboration from all team members can help you achieve goals faster and with enhanced team members’ satisfaction.

Step 5: Measure the performance and progress

Achieving goals is not just about executing tasks; you should also track the performance and progress from time to time. You can encounter many unforeseen circumstances while working towards your goals, but it is possible to ensure better accomplishments if you track your progress regularly.

If you’re not hitting your benchmarks, it may be necessary to make a few changes and additions to the process to improve performance. Team members should also be asked for their feedback and suggestions to meet desired outcomes out of routine processes. Even a few small tweaks in the plans can help you achieve your goals.

The moment you achieve a milestone, review your plan thoughtfully and jot down the details about applied changes to utilize that information in the future. From time to time, and with input and feedback from team members, it’s useful to update your quarterly roadmap; this helps assure better returns with enhanced productivity in the long run.

You should also be prepared to measure weekly and quarterly progress towards goals in terms of pre-set performance metrics. Most business professionals prefer using visual charts that show percentage improvements clearly. These charts also help to make everything clear on the way to your goals while highlighting the warning signs, red flags, and positive outcomes.

These charts must also be shared with all the team members while recognizing their growth process efforts. This will help you develop a better relationship with the team members, leading to enhanced performance.

Final Thoughts

When you are making efforts to ensure your business’s success, you must plan your goals and strategies. Each of us has 24 hours in a day, but the one who organizes all the tasks creatively may find an easier path to success. Make sure you develop a clear plan and solid strategy towards your goal to success. All the team members must be made accountable for the goal achievement so that they can feel more productive. Moreover, when you achieve a certain milestone, the credit must be distributed among all.

INTERNET ROUND-UP: Keep Your To-Do List Short

If your to-do list seems infinite, you may find that you never accomplish all your tasks — and you’re ultimately wasting time. Some indications that your list is too long: Your to-do list is more than one page; looking at your to-do list makes you feel stressed; your to-do list includes small tasks only listed so you can have something to cross off; or, you find yourself tackling the easiest assignments first. Remember: Your to-do list should be a tool that works for you, not a piece of paper or digital checklist that leaves you feeling overwhelmed. Here is some advice from top organizing experts on how to get more done with a shorter to-do list!

12 tips to keep your to-do list short, as well as useful | FACILE THINGS

The main function of a to-do list is to get you organized and easy, knowing that you do not forget anything. But if you let it grow without care, it can produce an entirely different effect. A long list can ruin your sense of control and become a source of stress and frustration. [FACILETHINGS]

3 ways to get more done with a shorter to-do list | KACY PAIDE

To-do lists are usually more cluttered & complicated than they need to be. I’ve spent years teaching my clients how to work off of shorter, simpler lists to get more done in less time. In this new video you’ll learn 3 specific ways to work off of to-do lists that are calm, uncluttered, and prioritized. (These are far simpler than you expect!) I’ve even created 2 free, printable PDF lists for you to start using today! [THEINSPIREDOFFICE]

Stop putting so much stuff on your to-do list | PRODUCTIVITYIST

When you use a to-do list, you know the feeling you get when you are unable to complete all of the items on it. In some cases, your to-do list may even get longer during the day. It’s time to change this approach. How can we do this? It’s time to make shorter to-do lists. [PRODUCTIVITYIST]

5 Creative Solutions to Entrepreneurial Procrastination

Kevin Shirley, Associate Broker (DC), GRI, ASP, e-PRO

Chances are that you have some possible business leads, but you keep hesitating to reach out to them. Maybe your business needs a Twitter account, but you never get around to setting it up. It is not just about such business-related tasks; the average human being is procrastinating almost constantly.

Scientists and psychologists have been trying to understand what causes human beings to procrastinate. Why do people make their life routines more complicated by putting important tasks on hold for so long? Many business owners fail to contact their suppliers on time, and they miss the essential inventory to run the product manufacturing chain. Others fail to call their potential clients and ultimately lose important deals. This may sound strange, but procrastination has become an integral part of human life, and entrepreneurs are not exempt.

Finding creative ways to deal with entrepreneurial procrastination

There are so many reasons why business owners do not get things done on time. In some cases, the delays may happen due to lack of capital or mismanaged time; other times, it may be due to limited resources. Sometimes, entrepreneurs may not be able to secure an important deal due to uncontrollable circumstances. Unfortunately, many tasks stay pending just because they keep on procrastinating for no apparent reason.

If you are an entrepreneur trying to initiate a fight against the beast of procrastination, you’re not alone. Some entrepreneurs are looking for expert tips, guidelines, and even professional training to fight procrastination. Here are a few creative solutions to entrepreneurial procrastination to assist you in getting things done on time. Spare a few minutes to go through the article below, and soon you will be able to get rid of this bad habit.

Prepare a to-do list

There is a very fine line between taking a break and procrastinating. Many people allow procrastination to steal their focus from some concrete plan and then develop secondary anxiety about it. Therefore, experts advise developing a detailed to-do list regarding all the pending and necessary tasks. You need to create a “SMART” model with goals that are “time-bound, realistic, achievable, measurable, and specific.”

When you have planned your tasks well, you will feel relaxed while getting avoiding procrastination. Additionally, to-do lists also make us feel confident as we stay up to date about all tasks in sequence and manage our time well to complete them on time. When one task is over, you immediately have the other one on the list to execute.

Find ways to feel refreshed

Many people fail to get things done on time because their willpower gets quickly depleted. When you are bombarded with tasks, the effort to handle them can cause mental exertion and further reduce your productivity levels. Therefore, experts advise taking time to pursue your hobbies or side hustles to get back your positive energy. You may love writing poems or stories, or you may relax by playing guitar. Or, simply taking a walk in the fresh air can restore your focus.

The main idea is to get rid of stress and prepare yourself to solve problems more innovatively. When you involve yourself in other things that bring pleasure to your mind, releasing stress and worries becomes easier. Do things that you love to do, and soon you will feel fresh to handle pending tasks. This is the most trusted way to boost your productivity levels while combatting procrastination.

Consider deadlines and accountability

Entrepreneurs who lack external accountability are likely to fall into the trap of procrastination. Many entrepreneurs also try to execute projects within self-imposed deadlines, and they are negatively affected by the fear of failure. To deal with insecurity-driven procrastination, set deadlines for work and make yourself accountable to achieve them.

Even if you don’t have a specific guideline for the ongoing project, create few self-imposed, arbitrary ones for yourself. They may help you stay motivated and encouraged to complete tasks on time. Moreover, deadlines create a checkpoint for you while helping you stay tuned to the process and task in-flow. Once you learn to accept your fears and get creative with the task execution, it will be easier to succeed with your targets.

Step out of comfort zone

Procrastination often comes with the tendency to avoid things that pose some physical or psychological discomfort. But leaving things pending doesn’t relieve your discomfort permanently; instead, it just adds delays to your work. Many people try to get involved in other pleasurable activities to cope with discomfort, but it can often impede your performance.

Those who shut down awkward situations at work or feel stressed about every plan will never execute things on time. Experts advise stepping out of your comfort zone so that you can find some new opportunities and strategies. When you keep your eyes and mind open, you can succeed with your goals and cultivate adaptability to your work routines.

Don’t run focus on perfection

Many entrepreneurs fail to achieve targets in a quest for perfection. But if you do so, you will always miss something while thinking that it could be improved. It is important to understand that one cannot achieve perfection in every task. Even if you try to do so, you may not be able to finish work on time.

Experts advise following a strategic plan to deal with tasks at your business platform. It is not necessary to aim for 100% every time; you can limit your perfection level up to 80 or 90% (or less!) as well. The main goal is to break tasks into smaller pieces and then execute them one by one to complete the project.

These simple tips and tricks may help you avoid procrastination and complete your tasks on time.

Stop Overplanning Your Day

Kevin Shirley, Associate Broker (DC), GRI, e-PRO, ASP

Done well, routine planning rituals can help you live your life intentionally and peacefully. But many people spoil their day-to-day activities by overplanning.

There is no doubt that people who plan their lives well are likely to stay more organized. Plans give them a strategy to remain directed towards their goals in a meaningful manner. Sadly, the seduction of living a planned life compels many people to overplan. They try to run their routines more like a movie where every variable of life stays in their control, and there are no unknown situations. But real-life is much different than “reel” life. There is no script; rather, many things happen in entirely unpredictable ways. In such situations, if you try to maintain control on every minute of your day, you may fail to hold up your plans, and it may soon cause more emotional torture to you.

Experts advise planning your day to avoid the stress of neglecting important personal and professional goals. But planning should not preclude the joy that can be found in unexpected circumstances. Instead, try to develop an openness and acceptance towards everything in life while maintaining a streamlined approach to execute essential tasks.

Expert recommendations

Those experiencing stress and emotional disturbances due to overplanning in life are advised to follow expert advice to avoid such situations. Below are a few important tips and tricks to help you lead your life efficiently while doing only necessary planning:

Tip 1: Be concerned about your intention

You cannot book a seat on the plane without knowing your destination because you may end up heading in the wrong direction. This is the main reason why you should plan certain things in advance regarding where to start and where to end. List out things to be done over the course of the day. Instead of attempting to control every minute of your day, it is better to organize things around you and handle tasks on a priority basis. It may help you to avoid irrelevant things to achieve set goals with ease.

Tip 2: Redefine the 100% score

Perfectionists have a reputation for consistently completing every goal and task they put on their to-do list. They plan things in such a way that they get 100% out of every day. But this is very rare in real life. For most people, accomplishing 60 to 70% of the intended tasks in a day is a significant achievement. Even if you are more competent and aware of all your priorities, the unplanned circumstances in life can cause your plans to go sideways. Therefore, instead of trying to be perfect, it is better to concentrate on your genuine priorities.

Tip 3: Don’t be obsessed with your plans

No matter how hard you try, there is no perfect plan. Even if you plan something really well based on the current data, you never know what will pop up unexpectedly. It is not possible to guarantee the perfect execution of any plan. The main goal of planning must be to create clarity about the day to focus your attention in the right direction. People who get obsessed with their plans often experience emotional imbalances due to failures. Your plan must keep you open to the new opportunities that arise on the way.

Tip 4: Create a roadmap

Whether you plan for a year, week or day, create a roadmap and sense of direction for your life and routines. Your plan should also provide a high-level overview of all the paths that you are willing to take in this journey. But at the same time, it is important to have a backup plan (or two!) for situations likely to derail your progress. There should always be some option to reroute your journey without losing your patience and productivity levels. Be clear about your to-do list and create a plan that can work as a roadmap for what to do next.

Tip 5: Get ready for the unexpected

The greatest power of adequate planning is that it can give you the ability to respond to unexpected situations without causing undue stress. People who plan things accurately are likely to move through all their essential activities without worrying about deadlines. Overplanning tends to prevent you from handling unexpected changes in the routines; proper planning, conversely, leaves some margin to switch between tasks without any trouble. It can also give you flexibility for any unexpected interruption in the process.

Tip 6: Stay open to creativity

No matter how focused you remain on your routines and plans, it is always good to spare some time for creativity. Instead of being overdisciplined about your priorities, you should always find a way to try new things. Experts advise creating a balance between freedom and intention while leading your life in a planned way. Do not sweat on the details; it may hamper your confidence levels. You should take notes on everything that happens around you and look for opportunities to take action. It is better to follow a consistent approach to execute your plans without even getting obsessed with them.

The main goal is to understand your long-term and short-term objectives while building a strategy to achieve them. But make sure you keep the process simple without overwhelming yourself. The objectives should not get challenging; instead, they should be achievable. When you stay flexible with your plans and do not stress out about unexpected happenings, you can streamline your routines in a much better manner.