How To Get More Done
When I worked as personal trainer in my early 20s, I noticed something very unusual about my most successful clients.
These clients almost effortlessly achieved their goals and built the bodies that they wanted.
How?
They created a strong personal philosophy that made decision-making easy and stress-free. They planned their diets and workouts in advance so they didn’t have to think about doing the right thing. And so I did for my business what they did for their bodies.
My personal philosophy revolves around planning and ruthlessly eliminating all distractions during the day. I don’t check email before noon. I refuse to do a phone-call unless it’s scheduled and there is a clear agenda for the time. I don’t surf the internet and I don’t have a cell-phone at my desk.
But outside of my 50 hour workweeks, I have a lot of fun.
When I’m not working, I travel. (I’ll be in Lithuania and Croatia in a few weeks).
I exercise daily and maintain a single-digit bodyfat %. I spend time with my family and our dog on the farm we have outside of Toronto. I read about 50 books a year and I keep up deep relationships with friends around the world.
But during my (short) workday, none of that happens. There are no distractions and no deviations from my schedule. I script my day the night before so that when I wake up I can hit the ground running.
Here’s what an average day looks like: I wake up and start writing for a few hours. After that, I walk my dog and workout. Then in the afternoon I schedule phone calls, meetings and emails with my remote-working employees in both of my businesses.
Both businesses are profitable with revenues of more than 1 million USD per year.
This strict schedule helps me get a boatload done, and I can talk to you more on the record about it if you’d like. It’s really the key to all of my success.
My 3 best daily tricks/habits are:
1) At the end of each workday, I script out my next day of work. In 30 minute increments so I know exactly what I’ll be doing and won’t have to worry about “deciding” to work.
2) At the start of each workday, I attack the most important item on my list. Once that gets done, I’ve built up a pile of unstoppable momentum that carries me through the less important tasks. I also stay out of my email until I’ve been at work for at least 5 hours.
3) I go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. I get just under 8 hours of sleep per night and I wake up every morning feeling rested and energized. (This is an important quick-fix that can help a lot of people get more done quickly)
So each day, I exercise, manage both of my businesses, take the time to read and relax with family. I can do all that and still get plenty of sleep because I take time each day to plan my work and then I work my plan.
Hope this helps.
Craig Ballantyne
PS – For more specifics on the ultimate time management plan…
…read my:
Politically Incorrect Scheduling Tips at EarlyToRise.com
And get one thing done first thing in the morning!