Join our Waitlist for Expert Advice!

Make a Positive Change Now With These 5 Life Shortcuts Save time and conserve energy with these simple but powerful changes in your daily actions and thinking.

By Adam Toren

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

We're always looking for shortcuts that can make life a little more efficient. As an entrepreneur, these shortcuts can mean a big jump in productivity with just a few minor adjustments.

Related: The Productivity and Life Hack That Almost Always Works

Here are five shortcuts that are easy to start doing now:

1. Keep an idea log. Most entrepreneurs have a lot of ideas. Some are great, most probably are not, but even the bad ones can lead to some good brainstorming and questions. Keeping track of your ideas in one central place is a great way to organize your thoughts while maintaining your focus. Having this centralized log when inspiration randomly strikes will be a great resource down the line when you're ready for a new project. It will also free up mental space.

2. Only work with positive people. Maybe the next great app innovation will be a time tracker for how much wasted energy goes into bad relationships. The side effect of negative, unhappy and/or unhealthy people is a whole heap of effort that goes into trying to deal with the drama. While all-important relationships in your life will have their ups and downs, you know in your heart the ones that are energy suckers and constant downers. Consider this a "friendervention" -- work and surround yourself with positive people. It will save you a lot of time, stress and frustration and will bring about a lot of happy collaboration and fun.

Related: The 4 Mantras of Successful Entrepreneurs

3. Block out personal time. There's advice about working like a dog and advice about relaxing more, this shortcut is about balance. You're going to work yourself hard as an entrepreneur, especially in the first years of your business. But everyone has a burnout point. Try not to discover yours by taking some time for yourself each day. Many successful people make this their meditation or exercise time, but whatever time it is for you -- be sure you keep this appointment. Skip it and you're going to have problems, guaranteed.

4. Use failure to move forward. Failing is a good thing. You've heard it before, so why do you continue to beat yourself up? You learn a lot more about yourself, your business and product in failing than you do in succeeding most times. Remember shortcut number two about avoiding negative people? That includes the voices in your head that are mean, negative and berating. Speak and think to yourself and others in a way that fosters opportunity, not condemns failure.

5. Take action. As Jillian Michaels says, "Transformation is not a future event, it is a present activity." Decide right now to take action in some area of your life and business. Entrepreneurs who skip analysis paralysis and take action will see momentum sooner.

Related: 10 Simple Things Productive People Do Better (And So Can You)

Adam Toren

Serial entrepreneur, mentor, advisor and co-founder of YoungEntrepreneur.com

Adam Toren is a serial entrepreneur, mentor, investor and co-founder of YoungEntrepreneur.com. He is co-author, with his brother Matthew, of Kidpreneurs and Small Business, BIG Vision: Lessons on How to Dominate Your Market from Self-Made Entrepreneurs Who Did it Right (Wiley). He's based in Phoenix, Ariz.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Business News

You Have One Month Left to Buy a House, According to Barbara Corcoran. Here's Why.

"If you are planning on waiting a year and seeing where interest rates go, you are out of your mind," Corcoran said.

Business News

This New Restaurant Is Banking on One Dish — Because It's the Only Entrée on the Menu

The new hotspot is gaining buzz on social media for its innovative yet super simple concept.

Business Ideas

63 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2024

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2024.

Leadership

4 Bold Leadership Moves Every Successful CEO Uses to Navigate Change

Ready to turn fear into fuel and lead with confidence? In this article, I share how leaving my corporate job without a plan led me to build a thriving business. Learn four bold strategies to embrace uncertainty and turn challenges into opportunities for growth today.

Side Hustle

I Made $14,000 in 1 Week With a Spontaneous Halloween Costume Side Hustle — Here's How

Sabba Keynejad was in art school when he started to refine his entrepreneurial skills.