December 2018 – Productivity Success Cake

In our last blog, we looked at the power of leveraging more than one mind in your business success. Now, following on from that, let’s discuss ways to put that success into turbo drive in 2019.

The power of hyperfocus.

Big picture thinking is usually where we start with any new idea. The mind maps, the brain-storming sessions, the “getting it all down on paper” phase is great. It allows all our thought processes, our ideas to come together; a visual representation of what’s been milling around in our brains. But, what then? How does this translate into the steps needed to succeed?

The answer is hyperfocus. This is the ability to focus on one thing, to the exclusion of all else for an extended period. Use your time to focus on one point at a time, without distraction, and then move on to the next. By working in this way, you can avoid distraction and maximise productivity, which in turn leads to a focused to-do list of tasks that you can work to, rather than a vague idea.

Be selective about how you spend your time.

The interesting thing about being productive is that it is about becoming selective in what you do, not trying to do everything. The truth is, the more work we must do, the more “frazzled” our brain becomes and we end up working on counter-productive tasks, simply because they are in front of us.

It’s okay to say “no” to certain opportunities, for example. Don’t go down the route of stacking more demands on your already laden plate.

Remember from our October blog, we discussed how free time is vital time? That free time, time to dream, time to rest, recharge, reenergize and regain perspective is vital.

We see productivity as getting more done, which to most of us, translates as spending more time and effort on tasks. In fact, it is just the opposite. In order to achieve more, we need to focus on less. Spend our time on the goals that matter, and work in a way that brings maximum value to our time.

Leverage your Mastermind Group

How much time do you spend marketing your business? It’s possibly the biggest time-suck of all. Keeping up to date with social media, with networking, with lead generation; it all takes time.

But this is where your Mastermind Group is invaluable. Your group peers all have their own personal networks, just waiting for you to explore! You know the saying, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get”? Well, ask for referrals, ask to be recommended to potential leads, really leverage that group – an be prepared to reciprocate.

So, in conclusion, although you may be self-employed, that doesn’t mean you have to be isolated. How good would it feel to have a group of compatriots there who have got your back and who, you, in turn could support? A win-win situation for all participants. New friendships, new collaborations, new encouragement. What’s not to love?

Is there a honeymoon period when running a business?

You know the deal. You start your business; you don’t miss the water-cooler politics, the commute, the endless meetings for the sake of it. The rosy tint on those self-employed glasses leads to a romantic vision of what self-employment means… but, at some stage, reality bites! You miss the camaraderie with colleagues, the feelings of “we’re in this together” and you find yourself overwhelmed with plans, ideas, lists. Not to mention the headache from wearing all those hats. CEO one minute, office clerk the next.

So, what can you do about it? Where can you go to bounce around those ideas, while obtaining valuable feedback from like-minded individuals, all the while making valuable progress towards your end-goals?

The answer is a Mastermind Group. A group of individuals striving for a common purpose and supporting each other along the way. Not convinced? After all, won’t this all take valuable time? Time that you could have dedicated to working on your business? Sure, you’re going to have to commit to regular meetings (either in person or “virtual”), you’re going to be held accountable for your actions. You’re going to have to realize that “it’s not all about you” But, what about the benefits? Let’s look at how you can leverage your impact with a Mastermind Group:-

Business Idea Support

You’ve got a great business idea, right? Everyone thinks it’s a winner… except the “everyone” in this case is your partner and your mom. Not exactly objective opinions, then? This is where a Mastermind Group comes into its own.

There is a real synergy of energy, commitment and, dare I say, excitement that emanates from a good Mastermind Group. Members support each other with total honesty, respect and compassion. After all, the group should be made up of people in a similar position to you, so whilst it may not always be plain-sailing in terms of pitching your ideas, you know that any criticism will be constructive and aimed to challenge, rather than destroy. We all love being Devil’s Advocate sometimes, don’t we?

Your peers are there to give you feedback, help you brainstorm new possibilities and set up accountability structures to keep you focused and on track.

Use your members to gain a different perspective and iron out any wrinkles before you take your idea to market.

Social Support

Sometimes your self-employed solitary efforts can feel like solitary confinement!

Remember your employed days, when you were surrounded by others and could regularly tap in and out of human interaction? Wouldn’t it be nice to have some compatriots to celebrate your success now? Commiserate with your failures (we all have ‘em!) and to just, well, listen sometimes?

With a Mastermind Group, you’re part of an exclusive community (and, hey, there’s no admission charge!) The feedback you receive can transcend just business issues and extend to your own self. It can be so liberating to review yourself and get impartial input. Being around those you feel comfortable with stimulates the “happy hormone”. The result? Better mental and physical health.

Referral Partners

Members of a Mastermind Group all come with their own “tribe” – their own network of contacts. Over time, as you build your relationships with your peers, they will generally share their contacts with you. This gives you access to a greatly-extended personal network – no elevator pitch necessary – the recommendation has already been made for you.

In our next blog, we will look at how you can put your success into turbo-drive with focus, productivity and those Mastermind Groups, too.