How to Boost Productivity as a Busy Leader

Delete your to-do list. My clients use this instead: The 5-25-5 Productivity Stack Elite performers don't manage time. They stack it. (Save this 5-25-5 Method) After coaching 200+ executives, here's what actually works: 1/ The Power Preview (5 mins) ↳ Rate your energy level (1-10) ↳ List your top 3 priorities ↳ Stack similar tasks together ↳ Pick ONE breakthrough move → 25% daily productivity improvement 2/ The Focus Lock (25 mins) ↳ Clear all notifications ↳ Set a non-negotiable timer ↳ Attack your biggest priority ↳ Use pressure as fuel → 46% reduction in daily distractions 3/ The Strategic Close (5 mins) ↳ Review what got done ↳ Stack tomorrow's tasks ↳ Schedule your next block ↳ Celebrate small wins → Save an average of 498 hours per year 4/ The Stack Multiplier ↳ Start with ONE block before 11am ↳ Protect it like a board meeting ↳ Stack blocks as you build momentum ↳ Reset timer if interrupted → 30% faster decision-making 5/ The Reality Check ↳ Progress beats perfection ↳ Energy management > time management ↳ Small wins compound ↳ Systems beat willpower → Target 85% effort for productivity balance Reality check: You don't need more time. You need better systems. Which tip will you implement tomorrow? 🔖 Save this productivity stack 🎯 Follow me (Loren) for more on leadership, workplace culture, and personal growth. ♻️ Share with to help others thrive

Time Management Insights for Improving Productivity ⏰💡 I have been mentoring several people around the topic of time management. These are some pointers to help you master your time, boost productivity, and achieve more with less stress. 📈 1. Self-Assessment: Track and Analyze Your Time 📊 Track Your Time: For the next two weeks , keep a detailed log of how you spend each hour. There are tools like Toggl or RescueTime to help simplify this process.  I will put link to their sites in the comments. John Jensen also has a spreadsheet he utilizes that is a great framework for sales people. Categorize Activities: Once your log is complete, sort activities into categories such as planning, deal management, prospecting, admin tasks, internal and external meetings, and personal time.  Do you also understand what your high-impact activities are? Evaluate: Reflect on your log. Are you dedicating enough time to high-impact activities? Are personal activities getting the time they deserve? 2. Identify Areas for Improvement 🔍 High-Value vs. Low-Value Tasks: Pinpoint tasks that drive your goals forward. Delegate or eliminate low-value tasks. High-value tasks are often those that only you can do. Time Wasters: Identify activities that consume time without adding value, such as redundant meetings or excessive email checks. 3. Set Clear Priorities 🎯 Define Your Key Responsibilities: Clarify your role and responsibilities. Focus on activities that align with these and have the most significant impact. Goal Setting: Set clear, measurable goals. This will sharpen your focus and help you prioritize and delegate tasks effectively. 4. Improve Delegation 🤝 Identify Delegation Opportunities: Based on your time log and priorities, find tasks that can be handed off, freeing you to focus on high-level strategy. 5. Continuous Improvement 📈 Regular Check-Ins: Schedule regular check-ins to review your progress, discuss challenges, and adjust strategies as needed. This keeps you accountable and allows for timely adjustments. Personal Insights from My Experience 🌟 When I first started tracking my time, I was amazed at how much of it was spent on low-value tasks. By categorizing and analyzing my activities, I identified key areas for improvement and began delegating tasks that were consuming my time without significant returns. Setting clear priorities and goals was a game-changer, allowing me to focus on high-impact activities and achieve better results. Implementing these steps transformed my productivity, and I'm confident it can do the same for you! 🚀 #TimeManagement #Productivity

Sometimes I look back at my time in the Air Force and wonder how I got everything done . . . how did I get kids to soccer, stay credible in the airplane, do laundry and grocery shopping, and focus on my role as a commander and leader. The reality is that there were often times where I felt overwhelmed by multiple competing priorities . . . there just didn’t seem to be enough time in the day to get it all done. The only way I could keep my head above water was to get serious and deliberate about prioritizing. I didn’t always get this right, but here are a few ideas that can help with prioritizing tasks and making the most of your time: 1️⃣ Identify Your Goals/Priorities: Clearly define your objectives to focus on tasks that align with your priorities. 2️⃣ Prioritize Tasks: Conduct a thorough analysis of your daily tasks. Determine which tasks are urgent and important, and focus on completing those first. {I didn’t know about the Eisenhower Matrix then, but I find it highly effective now for prioritizing tasks.)   3️⃣ Delegate Responsibilities: Trust others to handle tasks not directly related to your core responsibilities, freeing up time for priorities. 4️⃣ Set Realistic Deadlines: Break down larger tasks into smaller steps with achievable deadlines to maintain steady progress. Micro/quick wins are also good for motivation. (I personally enjoy crossing items off of my to-do list.) 5️⃣ Learn to Say No: Be selective about new commitments to avoid overloading your schedule (sometimes easier said than done, and it’s helpful to have an accountability partner on this). 6️⃣ Block your Schedule: Consider setting aside specific blocks in your schedule for strategic thinking. Creating this space ensures that you are actively working toward your goals and objectives and not just getting bogged down in the weeds. 7️⃣ Review and Adjust: Regularly reassess your schedule and priorities to ensure they align with your goals, adjusting as needed. (I use a high tech sticky note and review/re-write at the end of each day). Whether you're a business professional, military member, entrepreneur, or student, effective time management is key to maintaining productivity and reducing stress. #Prioritization #ProfessionalDevelopment #PersonalDevelopment

The Reasons Your Productivity Sucks...and How to Improve It We cannot manage time; we can only manage how we spend it. Time is an investment, much like money, and as CEOs, we must invest it in ways that add value to our businesses. Here are my five keys to boosting CEO productivity: First: Start before everyone else. I don't care if you are a morning person or not. You set the example. Your car must be the first in the parking lot in the morning. Your leadership team should have an email from you in their inbox by 7 AM (at the latest). This habit shows your commitment and sets a high standard for your team. This also sets the tone for you and how you think. Are you doing things nobody else will do? Are you focused while others are sleeping? Second: Say "NO" to all meetings and make people win a yes. Only take a meeting if it helps you achieve your goals or if it advances your company's activity toward those goals. Your time is valuable, and it should be spent on high-impact activities. Be selective and intentional about where you focus your energy. Third: Block time three times each day to check email and return calls. To improve your focus, only check your email and return phone calls at specific times each day. Nobody will die if you don't give them an instant response. This disciplined approach helps you stay on track with your priorities without being constantly interrupted. Fourth: Delegate tasks effectively. Investing in training your team to handle every mundane task on your list is the best possible use of your time. You should have at least 1-2 hours each day set aside for this process. As a CEO, your role is to lead, not to manage every detail. Trust your team with responsibilities that match their strengths and give them the autonomy to execute. This not only empowers your team but also frees up your time to focus on strategic initiatives. Fifth: Spend at least one hour each day alone, thinking about how to strategically advance your business. I do this while walking my dogs in the morning. We walk three miles, and I allow myself to get lost in thoughts related to achieving my goals for the business. I think about everything, from what my conversations with Nicola Gelormino will be when we hit $100 million in revenue to what our leadership team will look like when we expand into Europe. If you do not take time each day to visualize what your BIG FUTURE will be, it will never happen. Enhancing your productivity as a CEO requires deliberate actions and habits. By starting early, being selective with meetings, managing your communication times, delegating effectively, and taking time to think strategically, you can invest your time wisely and drive your business forward. Remember, your time is your most valuable asset—spend it on what truly matters.

As project managers, we thrive on the thrill of juggling multiple tasks and deadlines. The ability to keep track of everything is not just a skill—it's an art. Here are some high-level strategies I've found invaluable in managing the daily whirlwind of responsibilities: 📝 𝗞𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗟𝗶𝘀𝘁: Whether it's digital or on a classic paper pad, maintain a running list of tasks and reminders. This not only helps in prioritizing your day but also ensures nothing slips through the cracks. 🔝𝗦𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀: Every morning, determine which tasks are critical and which can wait. This simple practice can transform your productivity and help you to manage your workload effectively. 💻 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆: Tools like ConnectWise Manage, Trello, and SharePoint are fantastic for breaking down projects into manageable parts. Use technology to set reminders, track progress, and communicate updates. 🔎 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗦𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Spend a few minutes at the end of each day reviewing what was accomplished and what needs to be addressed the next day. This can help in setting a clear agenda and preparing mentally for what's ahead. 👥 𝗗𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗹𝘆: Understand the strengths of your team and delegate tasks accordingly. Trusting your team with responsibilities can free up your time to focus on strategic planning and problem-solving. ☕𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝘀: Taking short breaks can significantly boost your productivity. A few minutes away from your desk can help you return with a fresh perspective. These strategies have helped me keep my head above water in the most chaotic times. ❓𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗴𝗼-𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗱? Let’s share and learn from each other's experiences. #ProjectManagement #ProductivityTips #Leadership

"If you don't control your time, you don't control your results." - Brian P Moran As a new leader, I often felt frustrated that my time was not my own. But in reality I wasn't doing a good job leading my time. I was letting others control it for me. Taking back my calendar allowed me to take control of my results. Here are 3 time blocks you can implement every week to help you lead your time more efficiently. [Remember multi-tasking is a scientifically proven time waster. Give yourself the gift of focus to maximize results.] 1. CATCH UP - Carve out two - 30 min sessions a day to catch up on emails/phone calls/texts. Set a timer and be focused. Knowing that time is scheduled and set aside will allow you to be more present in important meetings. 2. MOMMA BEAR TIME - This is where you set aside a few hours every week for DISTRACTION FREE work on YOUR BIG GOALS. Guard this time like a momma bear guarding her cubs. Once you do this you will be surprised how much more you can accomplish. 3. PURPOSEFUL PAUSE - You can chunk this together or you can split it up during the week but you should have time during BUSINESS HOURS where you just pause. Go for a walk. Eat your lunch without your phone. Grab a note book and journal ideas. This is where you reset and often the BEST IDEAS will come to you. But we are often too busy to hear the good ideas! Slow down with purpose. What other time blocks have you found to be helpful? Comment below 👇