Here's how you can distinguish between being busy and being productive as a business coach.

Pour distinguer entre être occupé et être productif, commencez par évaluer vos taches quotidiennes en termes d'impact sur vos objectifs à long terme. être occupé peut impliquer des activités qui consomment du temps mais n'apportent pas de valeur significative. être productif c’est se concentrer sur des actions prioritaires qui participent à l’atteinte de vos objectifs de coaching. Utilisez des outils de gestion du temps, comme les listes de priorités et la matrice d'Eisenhower, pour identifier les taches essentielles. éliminez ou déléguez les taches non essentielles. En tant que coach professionnel, guider vos clients à faire cette distinction peut également les aider à améliorer leur propre efficacité et à atteindre leurs objectifs.

Being busy means doing a lot of tasks, but not necessarily important ones. It’s about staying active without making real progress. On the other hand, being productive means focusing on tasks that help you reach your goals. Productivity is about working smart, prioritizing what matters, and getting things done efficiently. If you focus on being productive, you'll achieve more and make better use of your time. Remember, it’s not about how much you do, but how much you achieve. So, choose tasks wisely and work towards your goals, not just staying busy.

One thing I adopted over the last few years is putting more emphasis on setting weekly and short-term (6-week) goals. This has helped filter tasks through through a lens to define problems, their impacts, and clear outcomes. This approach has helped me stay aligned with our year-long goals and OKR. Before diving into any task, ask: Is this solving a specific problem? What’s the impact of solving it, and How will I know when it’s done? This method not only sharpens your focus on what truly merits your time but also clarifies when to say 'no' and when enough work has been done. This keeps you productive, not just busy.

To evaluate a task, consider three main factors: time, effort, and goal alignment. Time: Estimate how long the task will take. Is it a quick job or a long project? Knowing the time helps you manage your schedule. Effort: Think about the energy and resources needed. Is it something you can do easily, or does it require significant work and resources? Goal Alignment: Ask yourself if this task moves you closer to your goals. Is it important, or is it just keeping you busy? By assessing tasks this way, you can prioritize what truly matters, making sure your efforts lead to real progress.

In my experience you need to think is this task getting me closer to working towards my goals? If not dont waste your valuable time on it. This could be too distracting and your time needs to be spent wisely working on productive tasks.

Diving into our task lists with a critical eye can be a real eye-opener! Have you ever really questioned which of your tasks are true heavy-hitters and which ones are just... there? I’ve found it super helpful to categorize tasks into ‘impactful’ and ‘obstacle’ work. Impactful tasks? Those are your movers and shakers—they align tightly with your long-term goals and push your business forward. On the flip side, obstacle tasks often feel urgent but don’t really line up with where you want to go—they just keep you busy. Each week, try this: grab your to-do list and mark each task as either impactful or an obstacle.

Time blocking is a key element to working specifically on tasks that help you reach your goals. High light the most important tasks and using SMART goals will help you stay accountable and time spent wisely on tasks that need your time.

Effective time management helps you achieve your goals. Start by setting clear, specific goals. Prioritize your tasks, focusing on what's most important. Create a schedule and allocate time for each task using calendars or time management apps. Break large tasks into smaller steps to make them manageable. Set deadlines to stay on track. Focus on one task at a time to maintain quality and efficiency, avoiding multitasking. Minimize distractions by turning off notifications and setting specific times for checking emails. Take regular short breaks to stay energized and focused. Regularly review your progress and adjust your plan as needed. By following these steps, you can stay organized and reach your goals more effectively.

I began to align my most critical tasks with my peak energy periods after watching and learning from other coaches. Identify when you’re most alert during the day and schedule high-impact activities in that window. This ensures you're not just filling time but making meaningful progress where it counts. It's not about doing more; it’s about doing what matters most when you’re at your best.

Effective delegation isn't just about handing off tasks—it's about guiding your team based on their development level. A little tool I came across years ago and have repurposed for skill transfer in most any situation is the DORAGI method: Demonstrate the task, Observe their performance, Re-demonstrate if needed, Assign a goal, and Inspect the results. This approach ensures tasks are done right, empowers your team, and allows you to focus on high-impact work.

Delegating tasks helps you achieve goals by sharing work. Identify tasks that others can do and match them to team members with the right skills. Clearly explain the task, expectations, and deadlines. Provide necessary resources and support. Trust your team to handle the work but check in periodically to ensure progress. Delegating frees up your time to focus on high-priority tasks and improves overall productivity. By leveraging your team’s strengths, you can achieve your goals more efficiently and effectively.

Using technology helps you achieve goals and complete tasks efficiently. Use apps and tools for planning and organizing your schedule, like calendars and task managers. Set reminders and deadlines to stay on track. Communicate with your team through messaging and video calls for collaboration. Use project management software to monitor progress and assign tasks. Automate repetitive tasks to save time. Technology helps you stay organized, work smarter, and focus on what’s important, making it easier to reach your goals.

It’s easy to get caught up in the latest tools (been there...), but the real value comes from improving your process first. Technology should streamline and enhance what already works. Start by identifying your core coaching processes—like onboarding, follow-up, or client engagement—then introduce tools that make those steps faster, more organized, or automatic. When the tool supports a well-defined process, it drives real productivity. Without that clarity, you risk being "busy" instead of productive. Focus on how tools can enhance what you're already doing right.

Tackling the beast of productivity means zooming in on what actually moves the needle. Ever try applying the Law of Constraints? Each week, spot 1 of those pesky bottlenecks—the task that drained more than it delivered. Could be time-consuming admin stuff, or maybe client calls that run too long. Once you’ve pinned these down, think about how you can kick them to the curb. Delegate, automate, or just cut back. By clearing these hurdles, you free up space to focus on the real game-changers. Trust me, it’s a game changer in keeping your days productive, not just busy!

While technology can streamline operations and boost efficiency, don’t overlook the personal touch that builds trust with clients. No tool can replace the value of genuine human connection. Use tech to handle repetitive tasks and free up time, but make sure that time goes toward fostering relationships, understanding client needs, and delivering personalized support. The balance between tech and human interaction is what turns a productive coaching business into a thriving one. Remember, the tools should enhance—not replace—the personal aspects of your coaching.

“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” - James Clear. Yes, you must have goals, evaluate task importance and urgency, and perform daily, weekly, and quarterly planning and reflection sessions. However, to make sure you don't end up "just being busy," all of the above must be set as regular processes and become your habits, i.e., done consistently and automatically.