The 3 P's of Productivity There's three things you need to do to increase your productivity.
By Jason Womack Edited by Dan Bova
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
As entrepreneurs, we strive to do our best every day. Our goal is simple: Show up, be authentic, and get the most out of the time we have. We call this being productive.
Living this way isn't about just doing more and going faster. Instead, what is important, is the mindset and habits it takes to achieve the success we desire.
In this post, I detail three tactics to improve your productivity. As you read each one, consider how it will also benefit the people around you - your employees, co-workers, friends and family -- people who may mimic your behaviors.
Pace yourself.
Here's the secret to pacing yourself: Think, reflect, manage, then do.
As you think, ask yourself what you want to be known for. Keeping this question at the forefront of your mind at all times will give you the momentum you need to dig deep, and ultimately reach your goals while staying in tune with the kind of person you desire to be.
The next step is to reflect. This is a time of waiting and discerning the specifics. Make sure you know where you are headed. Have you put your plan on paper? Are your goals manageable and realistic?
Related: 4 Productivity Tips That Changed My Life This Year
As you begin to process all the steps ahead, don't be afraid to break them up into smaller more manageable projects. By creating sub-projects with your end goal in mind, you are setting yourself up to enjoy the small victories along the way. These moments sustain your momentum as you continue moving forward.
Don't burn yourself out by overwhelming yourself from the start. Give yourself the gift of taking your time to patiently walk, step-by-step, toward you goals.
Partner up.
Mentorship is one of the most important aspects of professional and personal development. Another way to think about a mentor is to think of them as your own personal productivity partner.
Make a list of three to five people in your life who have positively influenced you. What was it about them that you admired? Would you be willing to reach out to one of these people, and invite them into your life as a mentor or as your own productivity partner?
Related: Become a Productivity Monster by Eliminating These 5 Time-Wasting Habits
Productivity partners can help us build resilience, offer us time management and productivity tips, encourage us as we build our networks, and lead us into a new chapter of our lives. Identifying these people and nurturing these relationships will not only increase your productivity but it will also set you up for success in a way you never thought possible.
Project your future.
It is important to not only know what you are doing but also where you are headed. While you work toward your goals, never stop learning and growing. Research local conferences. Reach out to speakers coming to your area. Or sign up for a webinar. Not only will this expand your knowledge but it will also widen your network, and keep you at your best.
Related: The Secret to Increased Productivity: Taking Time Off
There are 1,440 minutes in a day. No more. No less. How we choose to use those 1,440 minutes directly affects our productivity. Keep your projected future in mind, and use those minutes to create the best version of yourself possible.
By incorporating these productivity practices into your everyday life, you will be amazed by the difference they will make. Take each day for the gift that it is. Remember to pace yourself, build your network, and always keep your future in mind. And that's how you'll get the most out of those 1,440 minutes.
