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This article provides a few personal productivity hacks to stay on top of your game and be productive.
Prioritize Rest for Better Productivity
One common misconception many entrepreneurs in Nigeria hold is that hustling non-stop is the only way to succeed. However, while hard work is important, pushing yourself too far can have serious consequences. Rest plays a huge role in boosting your productivity. If your mind and body are constantly overworked, they will eventually crash. So, it is ultimately for your good to ensure you prioritize your rest. You can schedule breaks during your workday and be sure to get enough sleep at night. One of the principles I learnt from Jim Rohn is this, ‘when you’re at work, be at work; when you’re at home, be at home. Don’t combine the two.”Delegate Some Tasks
As a founder, it’s easy to feel like you need to handle everything yourself. But this mentality quickly leads to burnout. Effective delegation is a critical skill for increasing productivity. Identify tasks that don’t need your direct attention and delegate them to capable team members. For instance, if you’re a tech startup founder, overseeing both development and marketing may become too much. Let your team handle one while you focus on higher-level strategic decisions. A founder’s time is best spent on tasks that align with the company’s vision, not every little operational detail. Identify what those important tasks are and focus on them, while your team handles the rest. When you trust your team to handle specific responsibilities, you free up your schedule for deep work that moves the business forward. And the good news? It also helps improve your mental health, reducing stress levels.Sign up for the Connect Nigeria daily newsletter
Use Technology to Automate Tasks
With the advancements being experienced in the tech space, as a founder, you now have access to tools that can help you improve your workflow and operations. Tools you should be using more often are tools that can automate repetitive tasks, improve efficiency and free up time for more meaningful work. These tools could help you automate emails, manage social media posts, and even keep track of your expenses. For example, instead of manually sending newsletters, use email marketing tools like Mailchimp to automate your communications. That way, you maintain a presence with your customers without spending valuable time each week drafting and sending emails. Research more about these and see the ones you can adopt for your business that can help you manage operations without being overly involved in day-to-day administration.Mental Health Is Productivity
It’s important to emphasize that your productivity as a founder is directly linked to your mental health. Being stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed reduces your ability to focus and perform. So, incorporating activities that can help improve your mental health into your routine isn’t an option again, it’s a necessity. Take moments during the day to practice taking deep breaths, meditation, and mindfulness. Don’t forget to meet with a mental health professional, if you’re battling persistent stress or fatigue. Your mental well-being is just as important as any business deal you’re trying to close, don’t joke with it.Stay Organized with a Plan
Another strategy that can help you in improving your productivity is to plan ahead. Ensure you don’t start a day, week, or month without setting out clear goals and a plan on how to achieve them. Doing this can help you stay organized and keep you on track. It also reduces the feeling of being overwhelmed. I prefer working with the old-school approach of pen and paper. But you can use tools like Google Calendar and other productivity apps to plan, schedule tasks, and block out time for important projects. When you plan, you minimize distractions and have a clear focus on what needs to be done.Register to attend the CN Business Mixer
Final Thoughts
It is important to note that as a founder, especially in Nigeria, it’s easy to fall into the trap of hustle culture that equates productivity with overworking. However, these personal productivity hacks help you understand that true productivity is about ensuring you can give attention to things without breaking down.Got a suggestion? Contact us: editor@connectnigeria.com