If you’re like most people, your productivity is being held back by other people. In this blog post, I will share how to stop letting others drive your productivity and start taking control of your schedule. Here are three ways you can take the reins of your productivity today!

The Secret to Productivity Success is Delegation

Some believe that to be in control of everything is a leader’s job and can do it all. They feel like the best way for them not to lose productivity is to get things done themselves. They believe assigning items to their team members just slows them down. And, it’s true, you likely can complete something faster this one time, but there would also be other times where these types of duties need fulfilling, so ultimately, your efficiency goes down rather than up.

It’s not easy to delegate, but it is necessary. The truth of delegating means giving up some control over the process to make sure more things get done more quickly, and you can focus on moving the whole business forward.

The key to successful delegation is ensuring your team has a firm grasp on your vision, goals, and priorities for the business. When your team knows what’s important, they understand what is necessary to complete the assigned tasks aligned with you and the company.

Finally, create a system that allows you to stay on top of everything and delegate effectively. Recognize that your team members may be at different levels of competency to complete these tasks for you. So create a schedule of weekly one-on-ones and monthly reviews to ensure work stays on track.

Disciplined Schedules are Crucial to Success

What is your ideal week? Do you know what a perfect day and week look like for you, or are you just going with the flow of everyday life and letting other people dictate how to spend your time? If you identify what your optimal daily and weekly schedules look like, then it becomes simple to plan: block out times for must-do meetings, project time, break time, walking around the office checking on others’ progress. You account for every moment!

Start with the things you control: when you get up, arrive at work, and leave for the day. Next, block in time for getting work and projects done. Think about when you are most productive during the day to get started.

Next, add in the meetings you must take and can’t control. For those meetings you can manage, don’t assume the minimum meeting time is 30 minutes. Appointments will fill the time you create for them. Start with 15 minutes, then expand as warranted.

Finally, get out of the habit of just accepting every meeting that appears on your calendar. You can’t expect to get your work done if you’re constantly running from meeting to meeting. Block your schedule, so you have at least 15 minutes between appointments. Delegate meetings to your team or ask the meeting leader to provide you with notes after the fact.

Saying “No” Can Supercharge Your Productivity

Saying no to requests can be the hardest thing for a leader. The more you say yes, the less time and energy you have to devote to your goals.  You’re not a good leader if you can’t get your work done. Saying no to requests is just as important for productivity as a disciplined calendar and effective delegation.

As you decide what commitments you will accept, assess them against your goals, priorities, and vision. That is the first question you must ask before you think about time and availability. It’s not just a question of do I have a slot open on my calendar!

Saying no is hard. You may disappoint or even anger people, but you need to keep the long game in mind. You may even feel guilty for saying “no,” but this emotion is a sign that there’s something else going on inside of you. If you’re not able to say no when appropriate, you will compromise your goals.

Saying “no” will help you get what you want. It’s important to know when to say no and not let other people distract or discourage your goals. Saying no will allow you to find success sooner, with greater ease than if you had said yes in those same situations!

Saying “No” helps us achieve our dreams faster by strengthening our commitment towards them.”

The best way to increase your productivity is by taking control of it. That means learning how to say no, put yourself first and delegate tasks when necessary. You can do this in many ways, but if you need more help or want a proven system for getting things done on time without feeling overwhelmed, contact me about my workshop, “From Accidental Leader to Confident Executive.” I’ll teach you what has worked for my clients and me to lead with confidence, quit second-guessing yourself, and take charge of your business.