Ten Tips To Win Your Day & Get It All Done

Do you often find yourself heading home after a long day of work feeling like you’ve worked really hard, but didn’t actually accomplish much? You start each day with a plan, but soon find yourself becoming distracted, focusing on low-priority tasks, and spending most of your time being reactive instead of proactive.  

You’re not alone! Most business professionals wrestle with the question, “How do I get it all done?”  

You're not alone in this struggle! Many business professionals grapple with the challenge of getting it all done. If you're in sales, we've got a game-changer for you – our IMPACT Tracker. In just 90 minutes, you can transform your day using our one-page form, unlocking the secrets to crushing it in sales in ten simple steps. With the right attitude and effort, you can take control of your business momentum and set the tone for the entire day.

We understand your week is packed with tasks seemingly beyond your control. While we recommend dedicating 90 minutes to complete your IMPACT Tracker, we also recognize that it's not the only key to maximizing your productivity. 

Apply these best practices inside your business to win your day and get it all done. 

1. CREATE AND STICK TO YOUR WORK SCHEDULE

The more you’re trying to juggle, the more important it is to Craft a solid, unwavering schedule that prioritizes both work and personal commitments. This balance is especially crucial in packed schedules where rescheduling off-work time is challenging.

Even if you love your job, it's vital to "turn it off" and indulge in quality non-working time. Your dedication is admirable, but a perpetual work mode can strain relationships and hinder effectiveness. Not only will your relationships begin to suffer, but an unrelenting work approach may impact your effectiveness – breaks are essential for recharging and fostering fresh ideas. Prioritize balance for sustained success.

• Take a moment to assess the worth of your time. Calculate your weekly earnings, hours worked, and hourly wage. You have the power to either increase your earnings per hour by optimizing your time or work additional hours. Choose a daily work-hour target and stick to it religiously. Every minute outside that timeframe diminishes the value of your time.

• Maintain a clear boundary between your personal and professional life by using a business line separate from your personal cell phone. Limit accessibility after hours to preserve your personal time. Make it known by listing your work hours in your voicemail, conveying a message like: "If you're calling between 5 PM and 8 AM, I'm focusing on family. I'll get back to you the next business day. Feel free to email my team at [email protected]."

• Avoid appointments after hours, and if necessary, consider offering late appointments one day a week that aligns with your schedule. 

• Create a buffer at the end of your day to compile your to-do list for the next day, complete any pending tasks, and leave on time, ensuring a well-balanced work-life equation.

2. USE A TO-DO LIST 

Banish the chaos and find your peace by embracing the power of lists. I used to carry around this dreadful mental list that hijacked my family time, causing unnecessary stress precisely when I tried to unwind. Now, the moment I jot things down in a list or email for future action, I feel an instant relief.

Lists are crucial — The trick is to corral all those potential worries into a trusted system where you know they'll be handled, freeing you to enjoy the rest of your time without fretting.

• Contrary to VERY popular belief, your email is not your to-do list!!!!!

• Your to-do list should be the last thing you compose before leaving the office, setting the stage for the next day's tasks. 

• Start your morning by dedicating the first 30 minutes to perusing emails, transferring any tasks to your to-do list, and tweaking priorities as needed.

• Use A’s, B’s, and C’s. A- before lunch, B- by the end of the day, C- next day or later in the week, and my favorite letter D- delegate! This is about being proactive, NOT reactive. Being reactive enhances your stress and keeps you in a fluster- ALL DAY.

   

3. START YOUR DAY WITH A 15-MINUTE “TEAM” MEETING - Do this even if you don't have a team

Elevate your mornings with a 15-minute "team" meeting, a practice that holds immense value, even if you work alone. Why, you ask? Because it sets the tone for a day of success and clarity.

• Craft an agenda for your meeting; if you're lacking one, use the back of your IMPACT Tracker as your guide. 

• Take this time to not only review your daily to-do list but also delegate tasks efficiently. A collaborative start ensures that everyone is aligned on the goals.

• Delve into your calendar for the day and week, taking stock of your appointments. How many are penciled in, confirmed, and how many more do you need? This quick check ensures you're on top of your schedule.

• Maximize efficiency by pre-filling your IMPACT Tracker with as much information as possible for the day ahead. For instance, new leads or referral sources can seamlessly integrate into the Handwritten Card section, streamlining your workflow.

• Once a week, include script training or role play. This not only sharpens your skills but fosters a dynamic and engaging work environment.

• Keep it short! Your 15-minute meeting shouldn't exceed the half-hour mark. Quick, efficient, and impactful 

4. REMOVE DISTRACTIONS AND INTERRUPTIONS

Removing distractions and interruptions is essential for creating a conducive and productive workplace environment, benefiting both individual employees and the overall success of the organization.

• Don’t interrupt each other during the day except during scheduled interruption time. In a normal office setting, an employee gets an average of only 11 minutes between interruptions and it takes your brain an average of 25 minutes to return to the original task. Which is why “Hey can I ask a quick question” is not a quick question!!!

• A good rule of thumb: if you can find the answer in less than 25 minutes, don’t interrupt someone else.

• Consider emailing the question and copy yourself in, so you don’t forget. By doing this, you’re giving the other person permission to address the question on THEIR time.

• Allowing interruptions includes multitasking. Multitasking is a distraction that is interrupting yourself. Stick to your to-do list. If you are a master multitasker you are either a master of inefficiency or a future master of burn out. 

• NO SOCIAL MEDIA in the workplace. Social media is a black hole for productivity. It will suck you in and never let you out. 

• If you use social media for marketing make sure you timeblock it as a function of your advertising. 

• Schedule your posting ahead of time so you aren’t needing to login daily. 

• Never spend time scrolling! 

• If you can, delegate your social media use. 

• No family in the workplace, and likewise, no workplace in the family. If it’s not an emergency phone call, it can wait. Maximize your efficiency during the day so you can go home and actually BE with your family instead of talking on the phone.

• Have as little out as possible: meaning knick knacks or decorating items. Your desk should have nothing on it except your computer, IMPACT Tracker, and phone. It may be boring, but it will help you get more done. 

5. MAKE THE MOST OUT OF YOUR BREAK TIME

Ever find yourself powering through without breaks due to an overflowing workload? Here's what we know – taking breaks isn't just a luxury; it's a stress-busting, workload-taming necessity that wards off burnout.

• Lock in at least two 15-minute breaks into your schedule. At least one of these breaks should include an activity that rejuvenates you. Something like – a 15-minute meditation session, a stroll around your neighborhood or office, tuning in to a captivating podcast, or getting lost in a good book – you get the idea.

• If you need to physically leave the office to remove yourself from work, do that!

• Choose an activity that uses a different part of the brain than was being used for work, allowing the part of your brain being used for work to rest.

• Have fun! Choose something that you look forward to doing.

• Elevate your lunch break by scheduling it with a colleague or a network connection. In the realm of sales, fostering relationships with fellow professionals is key. Instead of merely working through lunch, leverage this time to engage in meaningful connections – after all, building relationships is a crucial aspect of your role. 

6. SET PROPER EXPECTATIONS UPFRONT

While setting expectations may not scream "time-saving," doing it wrong can be a major time drain. Improper expectations not only stress your business but also jeopardize relationships, eroding trust. Mastering the art of setting expectations is a time-saver and a trust-builder.

• Under promise and over-deliver - Trust is a series of small kept promises. If you think something will take a day to complete, set the expectation for two days. If you plan on calling them back in an hour, ask if you can call them back by the end of the day. Not only does this remove the stress of a deadline, but it also gives you the opportunity to exceed expectations.

• Set clear expectations on what you need from others, when you need it, and what the consequence is for not receiving it on time. For example, “ I need your signature on that document by the end of business tomorrow, or we will have to push back your closing date.” -Use their “why” to hold them accountable.

• Ask the client to confirm if they can deliver on their promise. And don’t be afraid to tell them, “in order to______, I’ll need these documents before noon on Wednesday. Will you be able to meet that deadline?” If the answer is no, find out what is keeping that deadline from happening and negotiate an alternative solution.

7. DON'T COMMUNICATE VIA EMAIL

Email should never be your go to method of communication. Not only does it serve as a constant distraction but it is also an ineffective communication method for the following reasons: delayed responses,  miscommunication, inefficient collaboration, reduced personal interaction, lack of urgency, and security concerns. 

While email remains a valuable communication tool, balancing its use with other forms of communication, such as instant messaging, phone calls, or in-person meetings, can help mitigate these challenges and create a more efficient and dynamic communication environment.

• Always aim for a phone conversation – it's a powerhouse for productivity compared to email. Relying solely on email as your go-to communication method means missing out on the rich opportunities a phone call brings.

• Reserve emails for recapping information. After every phone call, reinforce trust by promptly following up with an email. I find starting with "As promised..." establishes a track record of kept commitments made during our conversation.

• Choosing email over a call isn't a time-saver; it's a surefire way to set yourself up for future interruptions. Avoid miscommunication by embracing the power of direct, two-way conversations.

8. GIVE EFFECTIVE UPDATES

A status update serves a dual purpose: it gauges the client's experience with the process and opens the door for a current client referral. Simultaneously, it acts as a shield against excessive phone calls, streamlining your busy day.

• Pick one day a week to update all your clients and third parties. Yes, updates will happen throughout the week. But when possible, wait until your update day to communicate.

• Start using your update day as part of your communication with your client. "I'll get back to you on Tuesday whether I have an update or not." or "We should have that completed soon, I'll let you know on Tuesday if I need anything else". This will help set proper expectations with your clients on what to expect from you and when to expect it.

• Have an in depth pipeline meeting the same morning as your updates. This will help you give a more accurate update while keeping your team on the same page. 

9. LEARN TO SAY NO

Saying no strategically can significantly enhance your productivity and overall effectiveness. It’s not about avoidance but rather a strategic choice to ensure that your efforts are directed toward what truly matters - keeping the main thing the main thing. 

• Say no to working with bad leads - Punt early and punt often. Pinpointing bad leads is crucial; they're usually not referred and can be a bit tricky to work with. These leads not only demand more of your time but also tend to close less frequently. Plus, there's a higher chance of them leaving a not-so-great review. Their presence can also put a damper on morale and team culture. 

• Say no to meeting with people you have zero interest in working with. You don’t have to meet with everyone that calls you asking to go out for coffee. Guard your time above all else! Save meetings for people you know, like, and trust. 

• Say no to talking with people that constantly ask you for advice, but never take any of it! They are time suckers.

• Say no to pointless meetings. Most meetings should have been a voice memo, video, or email. Learn the difference.

10. ASK FOR HELP AND LEARN FROM OTHER PEOPLE - You can have control or growth. 

Asking for help and learning from others is a bit of a tug-of-war between control and growth – a dilemma we all face. Pride might make asking for help a challenge; personally, it's the struggle to let go of control. However, the real gem lies in the realization that working with others is the key to growth!

Here are some considerations:

• Do you need to hire someone?

• Do you have someone on your team that can permanently take something off your plate?

• Are you delegating everything you can?

• Do you have a boss or manager that you can ask for help?

• Consider hiring a business coach. 

• Do you have a mentor? Someone in the same job/position as you that makes more money, has been doing it longer, and is well respected. We also encourage you to be a mentor; we're all perpetual students and occasional teachers.

• Join a Cadre Sprint designed around competition, collaboration, and community. When you sprint with us, you pay a one time membership fee giving you access to our resource library, training videos, and community of like-minded high achievers. 

• Join a mastermind group where you can learn best practices from other professionals. Who has the best checklists, forms, scripts, email management, client satisfaction surveys, etc.? Facebook Groups are great for this. Join ours by clicking HERE

At the end of the day, regardless of my results, I remind myself that I’ve done my best, and my best is good enough. I even have a sticker above my light switch in my office that says, "I've done my best, and my best is good enough." Maybe you could make that a mantra you say to yourself at the end of your workday. 

Start today by choosing one of the ten tips to implement in your business. Any one of these ten tips will increase your productivity and ultimately help you win your day!