The day goes as the day begins

On days without early scheduled commitments, I have noticed that the day goes as the day begins. A feverish early commitment to a priority project usually results in a very productive day, while more leisurely early time spent with the morning’s papers and news sites frequently becomes one of those, “what did I do today?” days.

What gives? The same hours (excluding the newspaper time) may have been committed to work on both days, but the intensity clearly differs. Start strong; finish strong. Start slow; well, you know….

Business owners, free-lancers, and independent professionals all have the same problem: How do you hold yourself accountable for performance without someone constantly looking over your shoulder?

Here is my formula:

1. Focus – Be very thoughtful and clear in your own mind about what you are trying to accomplish. Write it down if that helps, but be very clear.
2. Prioritize – Some tasks simply matter more than others. Concentrate your most important tasks during those hours of the day when you are personally most productive.
3. Commit – There is no shortcut; just put your head down and get going.
4. Decline – Don’t get distracted. Decline to participate in the daily time waster activities. (You know what they are.)
5. Deadline – If you aren’t facing a real deadline, create one. Nothing concentrates the mind like a deadline.