Productivity Tips For New Small Businesses
Overview
Hello, all! How are we doing? Need some productivity tips for your business?
Well, one way I keep myself motivated over the weekend is by journaling about the previous week, plus what I need to prepare for when the coming week arrives. It keeps me accountable for tasks I did/didn’t get done, as well as keeping me attuned to my hopes and drive for the future.
While I am a person who doesn’t necessarily thrive on lists, I do find them a requirement for work and school, and ESPECIALLY since starting my business. The reflection part naturally comes while journaling about my productivity, which is a super awesome bonus.
So take out a notebook, a sketch pad, or a laptop and get ready to journal! (Copy and paste the questions down below if you’d like, as well.)
JOURNAL MAP #1: END OF WEEK REFLECTION
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Here’s a list of questions to ask yourself at the end of each week, specifically relating to your business:
If you could sum up the work week in one word (or image), what would it be? Simply think or write: how does seeing that word printed out make you feel?
Journal Sandwich! Stick anywhere on the paper.
Name one thing that went well.
Name one thing that didn’t go well.
Name one more thing that went well.
What was your most productive day? Do you understand why it was? Jot down a short paragraph.
What was your most relaxing day? Do you understand why it was? Jot down a short paragraph.
List all the tasks you completed. Don’t write out long sentences, just short and sweet bullet points.
Take a look at the list and all you accomplished. Well done! Give yourself a pat on the back.
For the next section, consider: are there over-arching goals you need to refresh yourself on? Devote ten minutes at least to thinking, journaling, and/or mind mapping the progress you’ve made concerning those goals this week. If it’s hard to stay focused, set a timer or play a song, then close your eyes to recenter your mind.
For the next section, consider: beyond work, how did you feel mental-health wise? For instance, if you were stressed, was work the reason, or was it something else? Is that stress going to continue into next week and you’ll have to adapt, or can you nip it in the bud over the weekend? Paragraphs, notes, or a mind map: this decision is up to you.
Sum up your mental health in one word, or one image.
At the end of the page or map, sum up this reflection in one word. Relate the word to the time you spent journaling, not the week. (ex: relaxing? worthwhile? overwhelming? messy? understandable?) productive?
Compare your one word (or image) for the week, your one word for mental health, and your one word for this reflection. How connected are they, if at all?
Consider drawing a connection between these three themes for the next week. You don’t have to write anything down unless you desire.
END. Draw a little heart and turn the page.
JOURNAL MAP #2: NEXT WEEK PROMISES
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Here’s a list of prompts you can write about to help you start next week with a plan already set, specifically for your business:
List all the tasks you didn’t complete this past week. Keep it simple (bullet points, not paragraphs).
In the same list, jot your main tasks for the upcoming week.
Take a look and evaluate. Out of your list, what is the biggest priority for next week?
Write down your biggest priority and leave a little space underneath to journal, draw, or create a mind map based on the following questions:
If you haven’t already, describe this priority in one sentence.
List or describe the sections of work it will take to complete this task.
Based on the work needed, when can you expect to get this done?
Go back to the list of all tasks and repeat with the next biggest priority, and so forth.
Once you only have small or routine tasks on the list, simply determine when you could be able to complete them based on your timing for the big tasks. Calendar them in or post a sticky note somewhere for you to remember, but understand they are not your biggest focus for this coming week.
Now, close your eyes and take a second to visualize this week. Include everything: work, school, family, trips, nights out, carpooling, appointments, etc.
Can work be your personal biggest priority, or does it need to be something else? What are you going to do to make sure you don’t lose sight of that priority?
List the major priorities in order. Seeing them printed out, does it feel right to you? If not, re-arrange.
At the end of the page, sum up your reflection with one word (or image).
Think of a word to sum up how you want this coming week to end (ex: productive. simple. comfortable. challenging.).
Also, think of a word for how you would like to end the coming week mental-health wise (ex: happy. safe. assured. motivated. confident.).
Search for a connection between these three themes. Post the words somewhere where you will see and be reminded throughout the week.
END. Draw a little heart and close the journal.
HEY! WELL DONE! You made it to the end of the reflection. Pat yourself on the back, and decide (without thinking too hard) if you want to keep journaling for other reasons, or if you’re done for the day. If it helps, pick a piece of music or a quote for the start of next week that will motivate you, and stick it somewhere.
Then get off your computer! It’s time to relax, and let that productive mindset recharge itself.
Check out my post about Financial Freedom Journal Prompts!