If you’re happy working 24/7, good for you.  If not, then here are some suggestions on how to work less and be more productive.  When your workstyle and lifestyle are aligned, it’s quite surprising what you can accomplish in a day.

1. Unplug

We’re so connected with everyone, we can become totally disconnected from what’s essential to our success. I know it’s not easy to unplug and yet I know it’s necessary if you want to have a workstyle that’s compatible with your lifestyle.

Are you curious how much of your day is consumed with texts, social media and email?  Try tracking the amount of time you spend responding to the chime that you have a text, or email or social media post.  It’s become such a part of you, you may not realize that this is one of the biggest time vampires of your day.

Suggestion:  unplug for a few hours each day so that all of your attention and energy is devoted to activities that are directly related to the bottom line – creating programs/services that attract clients and give you the success you want to support the lifestyle you dreamed of when you started your business.

2. The power of saying no

Just saying no is particularly difficult if you’re inclined to be a people pleaser.  Saying no is just a matter of creating a new habit like unplugging.  Saying no is often grounded in a mindset or belief from childhood.

And on the rare occasion when we do say no, the tendency is to provide justification or an explanation of why we are saying no.

Think of times you said yes when you really wanted to say no.  Are there occasions when you said yes, only to find yourself scratching your head after the fact and wondering what compelled you to say yes?

Suggestion:  if you tend to say yes more often than no, or you say yes without thinking, my suggestion is that you pause… and take a deep breath before you answer. Think of this as the power of the pause.   Politely, say you’ll get back to the person asking, in a day or whatever period of time seems appropriate.

This gives you some time to think clearly about whether to say yes or no.  Ask yourself some questions such as “If I say yes to this, what will I need to say no to?”  If your conclusion is you want to say yes, great. Should you conclude that you want to say no, then say no.  If you can’t resist giving an explanation, a simple one will suffice.  And if the person asking pushes you for an immediate answer, you can use my favorite: “If you insist on an answer right now, the answer is no. If you give me some time to consider your request, my answer may be different.”

3. Focus on productivity

For some, working 24/7, never taking time off, is their dream life.  It’s not mine, which means I need to be super vigilant about prioritizing my time, effort, energy and attention.  I used to operate under the misbelief that time, effort, energy and attention were endless resources. I found out that they are limited.

Today, those resources are my most cherished – and I use them wisely.

Suggestion:  Time management isn’t possible – self-management is the key to focusing your time, energy and attention on productive, results-producing activities that support the workstyle and lifestyle you want.  It’s different for each person as we are unique in our talents, style, gifts and dreams.

When you make a priority list for the day, week or month, include the amount of time estimated to complete the item.  For planning purposes, be clear on the goal, strategies and tactics.  The book that was pivotal in creating alignment with my workstyle and my lifestyle, (more than any other and I’ve read a ton of productivity books!) is the 12-week Year by Brian Moran.

4. Leave work at work

Having a home-based business has so many benefits and technology makes your business as close as your laptop or phone. Granted, that’s a huge convenience.  The problem is that some entrepreneurs fall into the trap of never leaving work.

For some, it may show up as the “one more thing” syndrome.  See if this sounds familiar: “I’ll just do this one thing and then quit for the day.”  Or, “Let me just do one more thing …” which can lead to 5 more things.  Or with friends or family you’re half in the conversation and the other half of your attention is on work, what you didn’t get done, the deadlines looming close.

Suggestion:  Have a home office?  Set an alarm to end your day and when it goes off, wrap up where you are, if need be, make some notes so you can easily re-engage tomorrow.  Then turn off all electronics, get up and walk out of your office.  If need be, shut the door and resist the temptation to go back and do one more thing.  It will be there for you tomorrow.

Walking away is fastest way to boost your productivity because you’re giving yourself the brain-space to shift from doing to free-form thinking, and that’s where your creativity and imagination work in tandem.

5. Set your own rules

This is your business and your life.  You get to make your own rules.  Ignore the “should” that comes from other people or from your past work environments. This is your opportunity to build a business and a life that complement one another and are not mutually exclusive.

As the lines between work and home become more blurred, we need to be even more determined to create the work and life rules that serve you rather than inhibit or hinder you.

Suggestion: What dream or vision did you have for yourself, your business and your life when you started your business?  Write it down in as much detail as possible…or if you prefer pictures, create a collage that represents what you envisioned.

Next, take a virtual trip through your day or week and identify the processes, activities, commitments, etc, that are directly aligned with your vision.  When you come across beliefs, activities or systems that are not aligned with your vision nor bring you closer to living your vision, then replace them with what aligns.

Your future is not determined nor governed by your past…it’s yours to create!

Comments?  I’d love to hear from you –