What Shark Tank Can Teach You About Productivity

When it comes to the things we’d like to achieve, there’s no shortage of ideas. Think about what’s on your bucket list. Learning a second language, writing a book, running a marathon...

It all sounds so exciting, but having lots of great ideas doesn’t guarantee any action. 

So how do you make those ideas happen? (Lists are a good start! Get my list-making starter kit here).

Before you get started, first you have to really sell the goal to yourself. You can’t expect to achieve something if you’re not all in. 

Imagine yourself explaining your goal to a panel of people, like on the show Shark Tank. 

Before appearing on a show like that you would prepare by doing research on your business, if you have a business partner you might delegate who will speak about what parts. Finally, you would come up with a plan for your business. You should do the exact same with your goals. 

Use these three steps to sell yourself on your goal:  

Research.

If your goal is to write a book, you’re going to need to do quite a bit of research. Not just into the book idea itself, but into your competition, what agents you would send the book to, etc.

By doing a bit of research, you’ve already given your book direction. Plus, this helps to map out just how long this goal will take to achieve. Research is key to understanding what your goal will actually entail. 

(By the way I highly recommend the Nonfiction Authors’s Association for great content. I’ve been a featured speaker for past conferences.) 

Delegate.

If this is a shared goal, it’s good to split up tasks and think about what your specific skills are. 

Try to play to your own strengths when deciding who does what. Even if this is a solo goal, you can still outsource some of the more mundane tasks, giving yourself time to focus on the important parts.

Plan.

A goal without a plan is just a wish. Creating a plan doesn’t just help you assign time for your goals, it allows you to comprehend exactly what’s involved. Having a plan shows that you’ve thought about all the different outcomes. 

For example, saying “I want to exercise more in 2021” doesn’t sound all that convincing, does it? But if you say “I want to run a half marathon” and you pull out your training plan — suddenly it sounds a whole lot more feasible.

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Join me...

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You need to be super laser focused. Make that goal super clear. 

Your time is an investment and any goal you set needs to prove itself worthy of that investment. By following the steps laid out above, you give yourself more of an idea of what you’re signing up for and give yourself time to get committed and engaged in the goal.

Not knowing what exactly your goals entail can also become a convenient excuse when your inner procrastinator kicks in. 

You might think “I don’t know how to do this” or “I’m too overwhelmed by this task.” Your natural response is to put it off until you have a clearer plan, but that won’t happen until you make one! 

On Shark Tank, typically the more niche your business is the better it will do. Of course, there is such a thing as too niche – there’s not a huge market for hats for cats. Similarly, the more specific you make your goals the more likely you are to achieve them. 

So before you get too carried away with your bucket lists, stand in front of a mirror and imagine you’re explaining it to the Sharks. Imagine the kinds of questions they might ask – or problems that might arise.

Once you’ve passed this test, your goals are well within reach.

This is especially important right now, when many people are feeling stuck at home. Having a tangible plan to reach your goals will help you feel more satisfied and excited.

How are you planning to make your goals a reality? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.