Being an entrepreneur requires pure discipline. Especially in a world filled with distractions. Many entrepreneurs and creative people in general tend to have the Shiny Object Syndrome, also known as the Productivity Smasher. At least, that's how I like to call it.
So, how can we reclaim our agenda? How can we AMPLIFY our lives and businesses so that we can make the impact we know we are born to make in this world?
Here are six things that have been helping me as well as hundreds of my coaching clients achieve results that we could have only dreamed of a few short years ago.
1. Focus on ONE idea/project at a time until it's completed:
This is easier said than done, I know, but if you can kick yourself in the butt to make this a habit, the payoff will be huge. I am sure if you are like most creatives, you have a million ideas buzzing through your head every single day. You probably dose off to sleep with these million ideas. You may even jump out of bed in the middle of the night to record your voice or write down your idea so you don't risk forgetting it, right? Please say, "Yes!" so I know I am not the only nut case here.
The thing is, you cannot make all your ideas a reality in one day. And you cannot make them a reality all at the same time. The key is to SELECT the most important, the most exciting idea and run with it. Nurture it. Launch it. Grow it. Make a great income from it. And then and only then, you can think about your next big thing.
Again, I know that it's not easy to do this. But, it's SO worth it for your sanity and the success of your business.
2. Identify the things that only YOU can do and delegate the rest as much as you can:
It's pretty much delegate or die. As dramatic as it may sound, this is exactly what will happen to you and your business if you try to do everything on your own.
When I first began my entrepreneurial journey, it was VERY difficult for me to delegate certain things in my business. Thankfully, I realized very early on that if I didn't delegate, I couldn't grow my business and I couldn't serve as many people as I desired to.
Let's face it. Any entrepreneur would agree, your business is just like your baby. It IS your baby. And just like any new parent, you would want to do EVERYTHING for your precious little one. It's very normal to feel the same way about your business. But, if you're doing EVERYTHING for your business from sending emails to social media, to creating content, to arranging your travel agenda for a networking event, you will soon burn out. Or go crazy. Just like a parent who does not ask for or hire help.
And guess what happens when you're burned out? No creativity. That means no raving clients. That means no business. So, the next time you are on the fence about delegating something you shouldn't be spending your precious minutes on, remember this equation.
Once I realized the power of this equation, I started delegating like there is no tomorrow.
3. Create a MORNING ROUTINE that lights you up and prepares you to conquer your day:
You probably heard that the highest performers of the world all have a successful morning routine. I have personally seen the power of having a morning routine in my own life and in the lives of many of my clients and fellow entrepreneurs.
You might be wondering: "What should a morning routine include?" The answer is simple: Whatever you want it to include. Ask yourself, "What's important to me? On what note, do I want I start my day? What makes me feel fully alive and happy?" and then, do exactly that.
Personally, my must-haves in my morning routine are prayer, meditation, inspirational audio, reading, a brisk 15-minute walk as soon as the sun comes out, 16 oz. of honey lemon water before I put anything else in my mouth, journaling and stretching. All of this takes about 90 minutes, but all of this prepares me to take on the day. This routine mentally empowers me to move the mountains that I set for myself every single day.
One simple mission of the morning routine is this: Avoid checking into the world of others... your email, going on social media and any other activity that may pull you to other people's agendas during the first few hours of the morning. This will help you focus on YOUR priorities for the day and help you get ready to face them.
4. Make REST a priority:
I know that as passionate entrepreneurs, we could all work 24/7 if we could, but we all know that's messed up. Make sure to get at least eight hours of sleep. Take a 10-minute break every hour during your hours of creation.
Meditate daily. Even five minutes goes a long way. You don't have to become a monk. And take a 20-minute power nap midday especially if you are about to fall on top of your keyboard.
I know what you may be thinking. These are all common sense. Let me remind you, common sense is not common practice. How many people do you know who get eight hours of sleep every night? How many people in your life take a power nap every single day? Not many, correct? I strongly believe it's high time we bring these common-sense ideas into practice in our everyday lives.
5. Spend more time outdoors:
Even the sound of it is relaxing. A nature walk, meditating in nature, reading a book outdoors, journaling at the park. Watching the sunrise. These are all things you can do outdoors. You could also Skype with clients, plan your next big program, listen to a podcast. The options are limitless.
The point is to get outdoors. We all can use more Vitamin D, oxygen and beauty in our lives. Remember, a rejuvenated you equals an amplified business. The more rejuvenated you are, the more creative you will become. So, never see the time you spend outdoors as wasted time; it's your recharging, refueling time.
6. Make being active your default:
I think this headline is self-explanatory. If you're glued to your laptop all day long, you're not living the "laptop lifestyle" in the actual sense. Rather, you're becoming a slave to your work. Becoming more active in any capacity you choose will not only enhance your productivity and performance, but it will also make you healthier and happier.
Make it your mission to start each day with some sort of an activity. 10 to 15 minutes go a long way. Incorporate exercise into different parts of your day. Perhaps, a brisk walk in the morning, a 30-minute cardio before noon, some stretching and yoga throughout the day after spending some time sitting. Be creative. And just move. You will see a huge increase in energy and this will help you in every aspect of your life and business.
After a decade-long teaching career, Yasemin discovered she loves helping people have breakthroughs in their lives and businesses. In 2012, she started her company, Amplify Your Dreams and in about a year, she made the jump from an English Professor to full-time Entrepreneur.
Yasemin is a High Performance Coach, Business Strategist and an International Speaker. She teaches passion-driven, ambitious entrepreneurs just like you how to make High Performance your lifestyle so you can exude Clarity, Energy, Courage, Productivity and Influence while thriving in all areas of your life. She is big on leveraging your business so you are not glued to your laptop all day and can actually keep some of your remaining sanity.
You can learn more about Yasemin at www.yasemininal.com, tune in to The Thriving Entrepreneur Podcast on iTunes and connect with her personally in her FB group, The Thriving Entrepreneur.