As an entrepreneur, your time and energy are your most valuable assets. Here’s how to master both and use them to your advantage to reach your income and impact goals with ease.

1. Use the 80/20 rule to determine what to focus on. 

Also known as the Pareto Principle, this is a prediction model that states that, in general, 80% of results come from 20% of actions. Start by making a comprehensive list of what you’re currently devoting your money, time and resource to. And then, for each, right down the results. 

Is the task adding to the bottom line? Is it helping to scale for the future? Is it boosting your creative flow? If anything on the list isn’t contributing meaningfully to the goals you have for your business, eliminate or reduce these tasks.

Let’s say most of your revenue comes from paid ads, but you’re also spending a small fortune on social media marketing management, and that isn’t translating to revenue. Consider going all in on lead generation through ads and drastically cutting down on social media marketing.

2. Take aligned action instead of hustling.

It’s the end of the long day. You’re exhausted, but there’s this niggling thought inside of you that you should do more, check off another thing on your endless list. So you push yourself to do this task that’s not really going to move the needle in your business, but it is going to push you closer to where no entrepreneur wants to be, burnout, especially if this behaviour is left unchecked. 

Here’s what to do instead. Always check in with your energy before doing things. Do you generally feel called to do this? Will it support you and your business for the long term? Can it wait until the next day? 

Then check in with your energy. Does this task excite you and make you want to keep working, or are you forcing yourself to push through because you feel like you have to? 

There’s a profound difference between these energies that gets easier to notice by being intentional with tasks. Choose alignment over hustle every time for a long-term positive impact on your business and your well-being.

3. Work in a flow state.

“It is how we choose what we do, and how we approach it, that will determine whether the sum of our days adds up to a formless blur, or to something resembling a work of art.” ― Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi 

That means periods of deep work without any distractions. Close tabs that are irrelevant to what you’re working on. Put your phone physically away from you, either in a locked drawer if the temptation to check it is too great or in another room. 

It’s all too easy to reach your phone for a mini distraction that can take you off target for minutes, if not hours. After that, it makes it even harder to get back on track. Instead, use the Pomodoro technique to master your productivity and get into flow. 

Here’s how. Pick a task to work on for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break, followed by another session or two before taking a longer break of 15-30 minutes. If 25 minutes feels like too long, start with a shorter time frame and work your way to something longer.

4. Take nourishing mental and physical breaks. 

That means breaks that are more than just grabbing a coffee or eating lunch. Feeling frustrated about something you’re working on? Go for a walk and let the fresh air and sunshine rejuvenate you. 

Having a hard time getting into flow? Start your day with meditation. 

Feeling FOMO, stuck in comparison or distracted by what others are doing? Take a social media break to recharge and get into your own energy (instead of being influenced by someone else’s).

5. Don’t multitask

“The most valuable tasks you can do each day are often the hardest and most complex. But the payoff and rewards for completing these tasks efficiently can be tremendous.”

― Brian Tracy

 As the day wears on, motivation generally starts to decline, and it can be tougher to tackle more difficult tasks. Now this is phenomenon is trending as the “Scary Hour,” but make no mistake, this way of working has been recommended for years to get things done.

6. Reduce energy drains. 

Finish up the project with the unaligned client that is taking up too much mental space. Stop answering texts from that friend that’s bored at work and wants to kill time by messaging you every few minutes. 

Stop using too much caffeine and treats to get through the day. Instead, make sure to have a glass of water with every coffee and turn to energizing easy foods like smoothies and superfood elixirs. Also, get into a regular sleep routine. You’re playing the long game. Take care of yourself on the journey, and your success is inevitable.

7. Eliminate distractions with a For Later list.

Too often, entrepreneurs will follow one strategy and then find out about another and switch gears to follow this trend, aka shiny object syndrome. It’s hard to create momentum when your strategy is constantly changing. Commit to following through on tasks before adding more to your list. 

Create a For Later list on your phone to add anything you want to look into at some point so it’s captured and doesn’t derail your current projects. This goes for collaborations, opportunities and anything else that doesn’t align with your current goals or is taking you away from what you’re working towards. 

As an entrepreneur, you have control over all aspects of your life. Set yourself up for success by mastering your time and energy. Your business and your well-being will all thrive when you do.