How to Work Less Hours and Achieve Better Results

3 Primary Reasons Why We Struggle To Concentrate

According to Nir Eyal in his book "Indistractable," there are three primary reasons why we struggle to concentrate:

• Internal Triggers: Internal triggers are the thoughts and emotions that arise within us and lead to distraction. These triggers can be negative feelings like boredom, stress, or anxiety, which prompt us to seek relief through distractions such as checking social media or browsing the internet.
• External Triggers: External triggers are environmental cues that capture our attention and divert us from our intended tasks. Examples of external triggers include notifications on our phones, email alerts, or colleagues interrupting us.
• Lack of Pre-Commitments: A lack of pre-commitments refers to the absence of clear plans and defined priorities. Without specific goals and commitments, it becomes easier to get sidetracked and succumb to distractions.

In the exciting world of small business ownership, there are a three more reasons that make managing our time efficiently even more challenging. Let's dive into them:

1. We Love To Be Busy: It's no secret that many of us associate being busy with success and importance. We often believe that a jam-packed schedule means we're making the most of our time. However, busyness can give us a false sense of productivity and fulfillment. It's important to question whether all the hustle and bustle is truly contributing to our goals.
2. We Constantly Chase The New Shiny Object: As business owners, we naturally have an inclination to explore new ideas and take risks. However, we need to be cautious about constantly chasing after the latest shiny object without understanding how it aligns with our overall business objectives. This can lead to distractions and negatively impact our bottom line.
3. Our Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Many of us have a fear of missing out on the next big opportunity or industry revolution. This fear drives us to constantly be distracted and lose focus, always seeking the next game-changing idea. It's important to find a balance between staying informed and being consumed by FOMO.

So, with all these reasons to be easily distracted, you may wonder...

How Can You Work Less Hours To Achieve Better Results?

The good news is that working fewer hours doesn't mean sacrificing quality or productivity. By implementing a few strategies, you can work smarter and achieve better results:

1. Prioritise and Focus: Start by defining your goals and identifying tasks that have the most significant impact. Prioritise these tasks and dedicate focused time blocks to work on them. By concentrating on high-priority work, you'll accomplish more in less time and avoid unnecessary distractions.

If you have a team, delegate tasks that others can handle, allowing you to focus on activities where you can add the most value.

1. Set Boundaries and Eliminate Time Wasters: Identify activities that consume your time without adding significant value. This could include excessive meetings, unproductive email checking, or spending too much time on social media. Analyse your daily routines and habits, and eliminate or minimize time-wasting activities. Embrace the power of saying "No" and protect your precious time.
2. Establish Guidance and Operational Systems: Consistency is key to success. Establishing clear guidelines and operational systems is essential. Create routines that prioritise both your personal and professional priorities. Develop support systems to help you stay on track and consider finding an accountability partner who can keep you motivated and focused. Consistency will ensure that your efforts are aligned with your long-term goals.

Remember the wise words of Paulo Coelho: "Always ask yourself if what you are doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow."

By adopting these strategies, you'll be on your way to achieving more while working fewer hours, ultimately getting closer to your desired destination.