It’s not enough to dream of success. It’s not even enough to set goals.

The only way to truly achieve your dreams and build the business you’re meant to build is to sit down and just do it.

And that’s where many of us…well, fail is a strong word. But it’s the doing that trips us up more times than not.

We overbook our calendars until today’s to-dos become next week’s still-have-to-do. We procrastinate on the things that are important while attending to things that are merely “nice to do.” And sometimes we simply take on too much—even when we know better.

The answer? Embrace these five productivity tips that will help you get more done in less time.

1. Rituals and Habits: Simply put, a ritual or habit is a consistent way of doing something. You have a morning ritual (wake up, brush your teeth, work out, shower, and head to your office), evening ritual (check homework, tuck the kids in, watch the evening news, and hit the sack), weekend ritual (sleep late, mow the lawn, catch a movie, visit your mom), and many others.

The trouble is, if you’re not careful with your rituals, they can turn into productivity killers. Is checking Facebook or email a part of your morning ritual? Is turning on Skype a part of your at work ritual? Distractions such as these can turn even your best intentions into hours of wasted time.

Take a good look at your rituals. What are you doing that’s devouring time or that should be moved to another part of your day? Make your rituals more efficient and you’ll automatically get more done.

2. Calendar Management: Want to know how much time you really have available for that new project? Try blocking off time in your calendar for all your existing projects. Then fill in all your client calls, your business administrative tasks, time for meals and breaks, outside appointments, and everything else you’re committed to. What’s left might just shock you.

Make it a habit (this is one of the good habits!) to block time in your calendar for every commitment, make an agreement with yourself that you’ll honor your calendar and you’ll never again over-promise or over-commit.

3. Learn to Let Go: Here’s a news flash. You do not have to do everything in your business. You can (and should) hand off those low-level tasks to someone else. Hire a VA to create your documents and manage your calendar. Let your tech support person manage your blog and email. Turn over your bookkeeping to an accountant. Invite a marketing student from a local college or university to intern for you and help with copy and marketing. The time you free up will allow you to work on what’s truly important, work that only you can do and that’s revenue generating activities.

4. Work Hard, Play Harder: You’re not a human doing – you’re a human being. You cannot work all day every day and hope to be at your best all the time.Take a day off. Get some rest, or relax on a long, slow hike. Take a friend out to lunch. Go shopping with your kids. See a movie or a play. Do something—anything—other than work.

Not only will you return to your office feeling much more refreshed, but you’ll find yourself more creative and productive than before as well.

5. Focus: No doubt you know this because there’s been so much press about it. Multi-tasking is hugely inefficient. You cannot efficiently create a new coaching program while you’re simultaneously surfing Facebook, keeping an eye on the kids, and answering the phone every time it rings.Instead, use your calendar to block time off for important tasks. (see #2 above), then turn everything else off so you can focus. No phone, no Facebook, no kids or significant other, no neighbors, no pets demanding “just a minute” of your time. Tune everything out, and you’ll find your work getting done much faster.

Managing your time and turning up your productivity is not something that comes naturally to most people. When you learn to master this skill, you’ll find your business grows right along with you while you’re working less and enjoying life more!

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