So you want to be more productive and work fewer hours. That’s awesome! Let’s figure out how to do this. I’m going to share six tips on how to be more productive and allow you to work less.
Make a list of the top 10 most impactful things you do in a week to increase revenue
Tip number one, make a list of the top 10 most impactful things you do in a week. To increase revenue whether you own your business, a regular frontline worker, or you’re a mid-level manager what are the top 10 most impactful things you do in a week? Another way to think through this is if I were to work half as much time, what would be the essential things that I would do? If you just do those things and drop the ball on the other ones, that’s a great way to outsource. So, think about the 10 most impactful things you do in a week. Evaluating your responsibilities can help you focus your energy, allowing you to work less.
Do the math on your hourly
Number two, do the math on your hourly. If you go out and acquire new clients, if you do a podcast, or you in some way boost revenue, what’s that hour worth. Is it worth a thousand dollars, worth a hundred dollars or is it worth fifty dollars? If you know the math on your hourly, it’s a lot easier to make the case to yourself or to your boss that you should outsource more. And, this can help build your case to work less.
Outsource to Virtual Assistants
Third, outsource to virtual assistants at a lower rate. If you know that your hourly is worth 200 an hour, then it’s a no-brainer to hire someone else at 15 bucks an hour. To be able to do the work you want to value that person and build their skillset and help them level up within the company too. But you want to make sure you’re outsourcing the work that you really shouldn’t be doing.
Set clear end times for your day and week to allow your brain to slow down
Number four, set clear end times for your day and week to allow your brain to slow down. A lot of people want to be more productive, but they don’t really start working less. They check email at night. They’re texting back clients throughout the weekend. They never actually give their brain a chance to slow down. When you allow your brain to slow down. research shows that you’re more creative. You’re more innovative and you’re actually better at the work you do. You get more done in fewer hours. You’re able to actually get the things done that you didn’t think you could get done in a shorter period of time. So, set some boundaries. If your goal is to have 4 day work weeks, decide when work ends and stick to it. In addition, cut out when your 3 day weekend starts and decide what that will look like.
Build more hobbies, socialization, and interests so that work isn’t the only thing you know how to do
Number five, build more hobbies, socialization, and interests so that work isn’t the only thing you know how to do. A lot of people undervalue hobbies, socialization, and doing things that are just plain fun. If you have things in your schedule that you can look forward to, you’ll be less likely to jump back into work. If you really want to work less you have to optimize your brain. To optimize your brain, you can’t be working. You can’t be thinking about work. You can’t even be texting or checking emails on the weekend or evenings. You genuinely have to step back. You have to pause and allow your brain to rejuvenate. That way when you go back to work you can sprint and get so much more done in a shorter period of time. Remember those 3 day weekends and 4 day work weeks I mentioned? That’s a good place to start. Fill those three days with activities you love. So, you’ll increase your work productivity during you 4 day work week.
Do short run experiments where you work 10 hours less in a week for a month and see if you see a dip in $
Number six, do a short run experiment where you work. Ten hours less in a week for maybe a month and see if you see a dip in the revenue. Instead of doing 40 hours do 30. Start taking Fridays off and a have 4 day work week, or maybe leave early on Monday and Thursday afternoon. In some way work fewer hours and do it as an experiment. Then have KPI’s, key performance indicators, that you look at to decide if this is something you want to do long term.
So that is how to be more productive and to work fewer hours for more resources like this head on over to practiceofthepractice.com where we have tons of small business resources to help you optimize your brain and grow your business.
Joseph R. Sanok, MA, LLP, LPC, NCC
Joe Sanok is an ambitious results expert. He is a private practice business consultant and counselor that helps small businesses and counselors in private practice to increase revenue and have more fun! He helps owners with website design, vision, growth, and using their time to create income through being a private practice consultant. Joe was frustrated with his lack of business and marketing skills when he left graduate school. He loved helping people through counseling but felt that often people couldn’t find him. Over the past few years, he has grown his skills, income, and ability to lead others, while still maintaining an active private practice in Traverse City, MI. To link to Joe’s Google+
