Entrepreneurs are often creative people, excellent at what they do, but sometimes lack the business skills required to run and scale a company.
They may feel that they improvise and find themselves overwhelmed with the growing list of things to do on their agenda, and the multiple decisions to make, without knowing where to begin.
Amelia Earhart, the American aviation pioneer said: “The most effective way to do it - is to do it.”
She was the first female aviator to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean, so I guess her quote stands true.
Moving is not achieving
Are you sometimes frustrated that you have not been able to make your vision real? Do you ever wonder why you work so hard and still do not attain the satisfaction your efforts deserve? Do you lack self-discipline?
We tend to go for the easiest choice, because the brain's natural way is not to suffer, not to be in pain.
Let me give you a simple example. Deciding is difficult because it requires being responsible and taking risks.
Risks are potentially painful. Therefore, it is better not to decide, and instead ask for more time, or find any excuses one can come up with.
The problem is entrepreneurs must make decisions all the time.
As a result of always choosing the easiest way, you will find yourself being busy moving, appearing productive, and not achieving anything because you are avoiding what really matters.
Obviously, it requires movement to achieve something. However, there is a huge difference between movement and achievement.
In other words, being busy is not the point. Doing is the point.
Doing requires courage. So, refrain from hiding behind your computer and sitting at your desk. Expose yourself instead.
Follow the advice of David Blinov, Managing Partner of The F Company: "If the world doesn’t know that you exist, being the best doesn’t matter. As a company’s founder, it is your job, it is your duty to get yourself out there, to be visible, to be known, to create this awareness. As an entrepreneur you should be great at generating awareness for your business."
You can find our full conversation on Inter:views episode 40.
Find your purpose
Entrepreneurs crave impact.
However, too often, we forget what our real purpose is, and instead, we start formulating objectives and goals, and somehow try to make them happen.
You cannot just define your goals, you have to be clear on why you have them. The more explicit your why, the easier the “what” of your goals is achieved.
Without a clear purpose, you lose your drive, you are not sure of the impact you make on the world. Without it, you create extra stress on yourself, which can cause you to give up when challenges arise; and they will!
Your purpose is the most important thing to know because it is your fuel to keep you getting things done. If you have a big enough purpose, you will figure out a way to pull things off.
Supervise yourself
Getting things done requires self-discipline, which in turn, requires that you supervise yourself.
So, let me give you some tips to create the proper get-things-done environment:
Remove distractions: They are interruptions. You need some quiet time by yourself.
Be in the moment: Give full attention to whatever you are doing.
Focus on solutions, not problems: Stop wasting your time and energy talking or thinking about problems. Instead, solve them.
Set a process: Start with the easiest or the most difficult things depending on which gets you in motion the fastest. Delegate to those who are better than you at doing specific tasks.
Trust your abilities: You will figure out a method to get things done. There are many ways to achieve a result. If one action does not work, another will.
“There’s nothing better than that: plan your work and work your plan. Be focused, be disciplined, be organized and get shit done!”
That is Adam Posner, the Founder of NHP Talent Group, on Inter:views episode 32. I couldn't have said it better!
Embark on a journey you have control upon.
Once you understand the benefits and see the physical results, you will be surprised at how easy it is to become addicted to getting things done.
Do you have difficulties getting things done? Watch out, you could well become the bottleneck in your business. Maybe coaching can help you. Find out how here.