10 Ways to Get Alot More Done With A Lot Less Stress

10 Ways to Get Alot More Done With A Lot Less Stress

When it comes to getting things done in your business, do you find yourself drowning in overwhelm?  Do you feel frustrated or confused by trying to figure out where to start or what comes next?  Is procrastination the default for handling your stress? 

It doesn’t have to be that way.

There ARE ways to get more done – with less stress, every day.  The question is, do you want to stay stuck where you are, or take the leap and bring more joy and triumph of accomplishment into your day?

Here are 10 simple things you can do today to breathe deeper, be more focused and more productive – with less stress!

1.  Visual Clarity 

 Is visual clutter causing your mind to be cluttered?  Stop shuffling papers around and start your day by taking 10 minutes to clear your desk.  Think of it as a personal gift to yourself and create space for you.  You will feel immediately refreshed and ready to get things done.

2.  Free Yourself from Procrastination

You’ve got your “to do” list for the day.  Take 2 minutes and prioritize the “have to” tasks you don’t like to do.  First determine what you can delegate to others and give them what they need to do it.  Next, knock your “have to’s” out first thing in the morning and before you can thin about procrastinating you’ll already be done!

3. Show Me the Money

Schedule one (1) uninterrupted hour every day to focus only on high payoff activities.  I said un-interrupted.  Turn off the phone.  Close the door.  Tell others you are not to be interrupted for the next 60 minutes – unless the tsunami is at your door or Oprah is on the phone. 

4. Take Control of Your Email – Part 1

Turn OFF the automatic send/receive on your email so YOU are in control.  Schedule time in your day to check and respond to email at specific times, instead of reacting every time one comes flying in your inbox.

If you absolutely cannot turn it off, eliminate the sound and visual notification for a distraction-free computer session. 

5. Take Control of Your Email – Part 2

Create an email account just for subscriptions to online newsletters.  If your email program supports it, automatically file incoming mail so you can keep your inbox full of more urgent items. 

6. Supercharge Your Environment for Focus

Some people work better with some kind of external stimulation.  If that’s you, turn on soft music or a soothing waterfall to stimulate your auditory system, light a scented candle to stimulate your olfactory system, and set a timer to create urgency.  Then get to work! 

7. Get It Done

Are you getting stuck in procrastination?  Maybe the project is too big.  If you have a list where the task is not immediately evident, it needs to be broken down.  Ask yourself “What is the exact next step I need to take to get this task done?”  Keep breaking it down until the answer is “Do it!” 

8. Spark Your Creativity

If you’re still having trouble getting something done, and you’ve broken the list down – it’s time for a change.  When you absolutely have to get something done and you’re just stuck, change your environment.  Go outside, get some fresh air, change rooms, turn on a fun song that makes you get up and dance.  The change of scenery creates a change of your state and is an instant creativity spark.  

9. Simplify Travel

Do you travel frequently?  Are you still going into your suitcase (even though you returned last week) to pull out your toothpaste and shampoo?  First, go unpack and put away your suitcase.  Next, buy two sets of toiletries and store one in your suitcase so you stop stealing form your medicine cabinet and you’re always ready to go!

10. Give Yourself Permission

Take at least one day a week and give yourself permission to do whatever you want, whenever you want for that day.  If the mere thought of giving yourself a day creates panic and overwhelm, start small, but take at least an hour.  that way, when you make the choice to get something done, it’s much easier )and often more fun) than being in the mental state of “have to” do.

Putting these simple systems into place means taking action, being consistent and being willing to do things differently.  If you implement these tips, you will fuel your productivity, have more fun in your business and put more money in your bank account.  Guaranteed.

Stephanie Frank works with people who want to improve performance and pump up their power to profit.  She is the author of the best-selling book, The Accidental Millionaire and founder of The Success IQ University, specializing in personal success, productivity and leadership education. For a FREE audio program “The 13 Vital Traits of Super Effective People, go here:  http://www.FreeSuccessTrainingAudio.com

 

8 Responses

  1. Jim says:

    All Ten, Great Stuff, and with massive action will take one forward. I have focused on three steps;
    #1Home office in transition from 3yr. temporary domicile. Clearing the Desk each morning has been critical!
    #2 Creating a 6-list the night before and sleeping on them, makes prioritizing the top 3, easier, even fun.
    #3 Reverse Engineering tasks into smaller focusTime mastery units from 15 minutes, to 3 hours gives 2 rewards, one- critical steps accomplished, two- you discover minutes which can be applied to other priorities in your day.

    I have successfully discovered over 30 minutes, in each of two different days on skilled home projects which aid moving my home office- Home! I am thankful for these points and the SuccessIQ Training. Stephanie’s encouragent abilities have made aiming higher real and even fun.

    I will repeat each of these over the coming days and months to lift my successful Home-Based business into a joyful, healthful, full- time income producer and have the added enjoyment of these 10 good habits.

    Look Seriously, on purpose, and take action today”
    I did.

    Thanks,
    Jim Oberschmidt- Owner and Doer.!!

  2. Hi Stephanie,

    Great stuff here, especially #8 “Spark Your Creativity”!

    When I find myself at an unusual sticking point, I tell myself, “Step away from the computer!”. Then I drive my car to the park near my home, unroll the window, push back the driver’s seat and pull out my notepad. During that 1 or 2 hours of complete solitude, I talk through the issue, think through the issue and then write through the issue uninterrupted by music, cell phone, email, twitter. The only sensations are warmth of the sun, the whisper of the wind, the smell of “green” and the faint sounds of children playing the park. Then I rush home to type up the blog post, article, business plan et.al which much clarity and purpose.

  3. Kelly Brown says:

    Hi, gr8 post thanks for posting. Information is useful!

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  5. Timothy says:

    A very nice niche blog, and a good design there sparks Simplicity yet complex algorithm of the internet. Thanks You

  6. Paula Shoup says:

    Great post Stephanie! I like “visual clarity” to describe clearing space and I do the travel advice with a double set of toiletries and it is a HUGE help. Paula

  7. Hey, just today found your blog but I have to admit that it looks great. I totally agree with your post. Have a good day, keep up the great work and I will definitely keep checking your blog.

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