Do you ever feel like you get ‘stuck’ in the day-to-day of your business?
Do you find time has gone by, and you wonder ‘what have I achieved’ today… this week… this month… or even, this year?
This often comes about because we get caught up in the urgent tasks in our business – filling orders, answering emails – and neglect the important long-term planning and business development that actually moves our business foward.
If you’ve never seen it before, I want to reference the urgent-important matrix made famous by Stephen Covey in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.
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On a planning day, we are putting aside all of the urgent tasks (quadrant 1 & 3) and instead, focussing purely on the important – but not urgent – tasks (quadrant 2). And we’re definitely staying away from quadrant 4!
By having a set time, at least once a month (or, if you can’t manage that, then every quarter) to purely focus on long-term goals, priorities, and planning, you should see a marked increase in your business momentum, and in how accomplished you feel!
In this members-only episode, I outline my advice on how to have an effective planning day. One that will not only be super-effective, but also, super-enjoyable!
Click the button below to listen to or download this episode.
Quotes and Highlights from this Episode:
- Planning days are not urgent but they are very important.
- Jess has a monthly planning day where she reviews the Top Three Priorities for her past month and plans these out for the next month.
- Make it regular.
- Aim for a whole day but if this is not possible, book out a morning or afternoon.
- Schedule these sessions into your calendar ahead of time. Aim for three months in the future.
- Get away from your regular work space.
- This creates a different mindset, shakes up your regular routine and removes you from distractions which promotes focus.
- Have a goal or project you are working on.
- Plan for your planning day to create focus and use your time most effectively.
- Plan for your upcoming projects but also review your previous month.
- Stay focused.
- Utilise tools and techniques to maximise your focus and time.
- Pick a location that suits your work style.
- If you are stuck for a space try your local library.
- Avoid admin.
- If you must do admin do it at the end of the day. Avoid your email, orders and social media and focus on the big picture.
- Make it enjoyable.
- Reward yourself for a day of hard work – it could be as small as eating your lunch in a park or as lovely as a massage at the end of the day.
