Are you seeking more ways you can transform into the powerful business owner you know you can be? Then get instant access to your own free copy of Turn Your Business Dreams into Reality Toolkit . Discover the keys to acting confidently effectively and congruently in league with your true core principles.
There are so many ideas about how to increase productivity and efficiency that it's hard to know which ones actually work and which ones definitely don't. Would it be beneficial to you if you could increase your productivity and efficiency by 25%? Would you like to know what successful women entrepreneurs do to increase productivity?
Recently, I conducted an informal survey of 250 women entrepreneurs asking them this question: "What's the number one thing you do to boost your productivity?"
Listed in reverse order, here are the results:
5. Prioritize your daily list using the "ABCD and E" method.
A = must do.
B = should do.
C = would be nice to do.
D = delegate.
E = eliminate.
4. Delegate everything possible.
If it isn't directly making you money, it's time to delegate it to someone else. Turn over data entry tasks, packing and shipping, and answering non-essential emails and calls to a competent administrative professional. Not sure how to tell if you should turn something over? Ask yourself, "Does this task need my direct attention, or can it be done by someone else?" As an enterprising entrepreneur, your job is to concentrate on what is of most value to you and your business success, not on errands.
3. Break up projects into tasks.
If you have something on your to do list that's been there for a long time, realize that it's probably not a task. It's a project. To do lists are for discreet tasks. When you put a project on your list, you'll get bogged down and productivity will slow. Many of the women surveyed use business strategist Brian Tracy's method for breaking up projects into easy-to-do tasks:
+ First, list the finished result you want.
+ Next, map out each step of the project.
+ Then, put the steps into order, putting the important steps to the front.
+ Now, delegate tasks and assign responsibilities.
+ Finally, devise a way to track the progress of the project.
2. Give only 20% to what is urgent and a full 80% of your attention to what is important.
As an entrepreneur, your job is to discern the difference between what's important and what's urgent. To figure out the difference between the two, ask yourself, "Will focusing on this move my business forward and make me money or will I just be putting out fires?" Dealing with the urgent all day is draining. Dealing with the important is energizing. Make sure you're giving a full 80% of your time and attention to what's important each day.
1. Focus on one thing at a time.
The #1 thing women entrepreneurs do to boost productivity is... focus on one thing at a time. Although women are known to be natural multi-taskers, surprisingly, those surveyed said they were able to get more done when they focused on one thing at a time. Starting and stopping in the middle of things was frustrating for them and meant that not much was completed at day's end.
What is the number one thing you consistently do to boost your productivity? As you've just seen, among the 250 women entrepreneurs I surveyed their answers ranged from prioritizing their daily to do list to learning to break projects up into smaller. Decide which of their favorite techniques will help you the most, and start implementing them right now. You're sure to boost productivity for yourself and your business.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- Huge Growth: Two Women Entrepreneurs, Two Ways To Deal
- Survey Says - Top 5 Techniques Women Use Most to Increase Efficiency
- Nigerian Women Agro-entrepreneurship Development: Issues and Challenges
- Incentives For Women Obtaining Business Loans
- Launching a New Product or Service – Things Two Types of Women Business Owners Should Consider
- Boost Your Sales With Sales Master Program
- WANTED: More Women in Executive MBA Programs
- Start-up Health Products Business




Grow Taller 4 Idiots - the latest growth increasing product online
By: David Duncan | 08/11/2009There are a number of people who face anomalous treatment in public because of their height. This is usually seen among teens and people in 20's. If you are short and constantly embarrassed because of the fact then it is quite comprehensible.
How to Grow Taller Naturally and Increase Height
By: David Duncan | 08/11/2009There’s a product on the market making a name for itself called GrowTaller4Idiots. It claims that you can gain height of 2-3 inches in just 6 weeks. If you’re wondering if this product can make you taller, here is my review hoping this can help you make better decision.
Grow Taller 4 Idiots Reviews
By: David Duncan | 08/11/2009Grow Taller 4 Idiots reviews. Learn the system of scientific exercises to help you increase your height. A few minutes from now you will know exactly what you have to do to grow inches taller than you are right now. Review of Grow Taller 4 Idiots...
Jewelry is purchased perfectly without making a dent in the pocket
By: heena | 08/11/2009Authentic and precious jewelry is the choice of many people, but very few have enough money to buy such an expensive item. People tend to look for simple solutions and hence consider replica jewelry that offers designer jewelry with the added advantage of saving money. It looks identical to genuine jewelry and is worth purchasing as it can be purchased for much less. Normally, it is slightly different as the original piece comes with a stamped hallmark.
Self-Confidence Arises From Preparedness
By: John Vespasian | 08/11/2009In all fields, learning involves errors, usually lots of them, until you acquire the skills and expertise necessary to achieve your objectives. Self-confidence allows individuals not to pay too much attention to initial failures.
Abandon Perfectionism Right Now
By: John Vespasian | 08/11/2009Abandon unrealistic expectations and adopt a tolerant view of people and events. Strive to see things as they are, unpolluted by false ideals, and your self-confidence will increase. Perfectionism does not work because it ignores the crucial role that patience and persistence play in achievement.
Do Not Engage in Pointless Debates
By: John Vespasian | 08/11/2009It doesn't pay to engage in verbal fights with irrational people. They will dismiss your well-thought arguments. They will ignore facts and figures. They will wear you down and, in extreme cases, they might make you doubt your senses.
Don't Get Offended
By: C S Lewis | 08/11/2009Nobody can make you mad. Nobody can hurt your feelings. You choose to take offense, get upset or let the little things impact your mood. Just about everyone could be a little better about being more thick-skinned and not taking offense so easily at things and comments that usually weren't intended to be rude in the first place.
Six Sure Fire Ways to Recession-Proof Your Small Business Now and in the Future
By: Susan L Reid | 10/07/2009 | BusinessAs the saying goes, "Recessions happen." Recessions are an economic certainty. What isn't certain is whether your business will make it through a recession. Do yourself a favor. Don't stand idly by with a wait-and-see mindset. Recession-proof your business to ensure increased productivity and growth this year and forever by taking action on these six steps now.
Survey Says - Top 5 Techniques Women Use Most to Increase Efficiency
By: Susan L Reid | 10/07/2009 | Self ImprovementWhen 250 women entrepreneurs asked the question: "What's the number one thing you do to boost your productivity?", here were their top 5 answers. Decide which of their favorite techniques will help you the most, and start implementing them right now. You're sure to boost productivity for yourself and your business.
Don't Let Financial Freedom Become Your Holy Grail
By: Susan L Reid | 02/07/2009 | BusinessThe problem with talking about financial freedom is that many people believe having lots of money is the answer to all problems. For the spiritually conscious woman starting up a business, this can spell disaster. To prevent that from happening, follow these five steps to take the focus off the quest for financial freedom and put it where it belongs: onto the passionate cause that needs to be at the center of your business.
You've Seen One Business Card You've Seen Them All - Or Have You?
By: Susan L Reid | 28/06/2009 | BusinessYou've seen one business card you've seen them all. Or have you? When done correctly, your business card will turn into a dynamic piece of marketing real estate working hard for you, even when you're not around. Done without much thought, your business card will be just another piece of paper. Put your business card to work for you by implementing these 10 creative and high impact ideas.
Where to Find the Elusive Small Business Start-up Money for Women
By: Susan L Reid | 12/06/2009 | BusinessIf you are a woman small business owner looking for money to start up your business, you've probably noticed how hard it is to find any. Funding opportunities for women small business owners do exist. Follow the information and links in this article to discover how and where you can get funding for your small business start-up.
Ten Ways to Stabilize Your Small Business During a Recession
By: Susan L Reid | 09/06/2009 | BusinessTo lay off or not to lay off. That isn't the question. Neither is the solution to cut back on staff hours, eliminate employees' sick days, or slash your budget just because other small business owners are doing so. We're in a recession. We'll come out of the recession. Before you make any "survival plans", consider these ten ideas to stabilize your business that will enhance, not hobble, your future success.
Women: How to Grow Your Business from Solo to Enterprising Entrepreneur
By: Susan L Reid | 26/05/2009 | BusinessAre you a small business owner, party-of-one, thinking about taking your business to the next level? Have you been wondering what it would take to make that happen? Wondering whom to add next, to do what? The next step is easier than you think. Here's how!
When it Comes to Making Decisions for Your Business, Are You a Tortoise or a Hare?
By: Susan L Reid | 18/04/2009 | BusinessWhen it comes to adopting new ideas or making decisions about your business, are you more like the tortoise or the hare? Are you speedy out of the gate or slow and steady to the end? In this article, you'll find out which one you are, and why having the characteristics of both the tortoise and the hare are what's needed to get things done this year in your business.