How to get stuff done

In business, a lot of people struggle with getting things done for several reasons. They might procrastinate because they’re not looking forward to the task, they could be extremely busy with other things, or they simply don’t know where to start.

The reality is, many business owners have a very large ‘to-do’ list and a very small ‘done’ list. They often know exactly what needs doing but knowing how to get stuff done is a bit of a stumbling block.

So, if this is you then I have just the steps you need to know how to get stuff done.

1. Identify what projects you need to complete

As business owners, you will always have multiple things on the go or in the pipeline. While you will probably already have a list of regular tasks you need to complete to keep your business running, there are also projects that are going to move your business forward. Things such as creating nurture campaigns, writing regular blog post, generating daily social media posts, writing newsletters etc.

You know that if you did them, it would help your business run more smoothly, but because they are not urgent, they tend to be put off time and time again. After all, if they had a deadline, they would probably get done.

So, the first thing you need to do to ensure you get stuff done, is to identify every non-urgent but important project you need to complete. Make this list on a spreadsheet, or another online productivity tool, so you can review it regularly.

2. Prioritise your projects

Having one long list of tasks can be quite daunting, if not overwhelming, and can sometimes cause us to ignore the list altogether. Therefore, the next thing to do is prioritise your tasks by adding deadlines and priority numbers. There are only 3 options:

1. High priority (needs to be done this week)
2. Medium priority (needs to be done this month)
3. Low priority (needs to be done this year)

Don’t make it too complicated, as then you’re even less likely to action anything.

You can read more about prioritising your tasks in my blog with Time Management Tips.

3. Break down into smaller tasks

Once you have a clear idea of the big projects, you want to break them down into lots of smaller tasks. Doing this will automatically make the project easier to manage, both physically and also mentally. By breaking it down into smaller steps, you will have a better understanding of what needs to be done and it will be easier to prioritise and track progress.

For example, if creating social media posts was one of your projects for the month, you might break it down into the following tasks:

• Think of a set of themes (Monday motivation, Tuesday Tips etc)
• For each theme write 12 posts
• Create an image to accompany each post
• Schedule the posts on Social Media

4. Embrace new technologies

One month may seem like a long time but it disappears quickly when we’re involved in the day-to-day running of a business, dealing with clients and/or employees and are also trying to achieve a work/life balance.

Projects like creating nurture campaigns, writing social media posts or filming videos, are almost always less urgent (unless of course you have categorised them as high priority).

However, if you have followed the steps above, you will now have a long list of actionable tasks that are easy to fit into your daily schedule. Simply doing one or two of these tasks a day will soon add up, meaning you will achieve more.   

In fact, this is how I finally managed to finish my book The Happy Worker. After initially starting full of gusto and writing 15,000 words, I got stuck and left it for a couple of years (!). But then I joined a writing group and we had to write 500 words each day, reporting back at the end of the day with our word count. It was the daily routine and the accountability that meant it finally got done and dusted. If you’re interested in the book, you can buy it on Amazon.

5. Focus on one project at a time

Don’t aim to work on three projects simultaneously but focus on one project at a time. After all, you’re already busy doing your day-to-day work and the project is on top of that.

If you are working to complete small tasks every day, it is likely you can complete one project in a few days or weeks (depending on the size of the project of course). And then you can move onto the next one.

Additionally, when you focus on one project, it allows you to give it your full attention, which can help you produce better quality work.

6. Get accountability

Having someone to hold you accountable such as a business buddy or someone from your networking group, will help you meet and keep to your own deadlines. As well as helping you stay on track, they could also help you break down your tasks into manageable chunks if you are unable to see how you can achieve something.

Often, having a business coach to work with, can also help you remain accountable and help you work your way towards your goals without overwhelm.

7. Go to an Implementation Workshop

If you’ve had something on your to-do list for more than a year and it’s still not done, then it might be time to get some help.

Giving yourself the time and space to dedicate to a project can be the best way to get stuff done – especially when it’s a larger and perhaps more creative project you need to let yourself focus on.

My one-day Implementation Workshops allow you to get the non-urgent items done in a single session, with the support and inspiration from other business owners as well as guidance from me.

The workshops are for business owners of small businesses who want to grow their business, make more profit, have a great work/life balance and have time to spend with their loved ones. It’s especially good for sole traders and people with only a handful of staff, as it can be quite lonely at the top, and it’s essential to have other people to bounce ideas off and hold you accountable for your actions.

It’s also for anyone who is in charge of growing the business (such as Business Development Managers or Sales Directors), as the emphasis will be on business development, marketing and sales.

In short, if you think that you can benefit from the support and advice of a coach as well as a group of business owners, then this is the place for you.