(Bootstrapping: a self-sustaining process that proceeds without external help)

Bootstrap if you can… for maximum freedom and the most long-term potential with your business or start-up endeavor.

Having outside investors, especially in the early days of your business, is usually a huge distraction from the core task at hand of creating the product or service and building the sales of your young business.  The longer you can stay independent, the more success you will usually have.

PS- but don’t hesitate to learn from and engage with others who have previously built a successful business or businesses.

Successful leaders must learn to focus mainly on the big priorities and learn to not worry so much about the smaller.

Easier said than done, I know, but this is definitely an area where a leader, business owner, or manager should strive to improve upon on an ongoing basis.

Know your strengths, know what you love to do and spend your time in those areas. Delegate or find others to do the other “necessary” tasks. (blow off the “unnecessary” tasks)

The exception to this would be when you are in the start-up mode.  When starting up, you’ll often have to do things you do not love to do.  In this situation the key is knowing what you want or plan to do long-term (your strengths) once you can get others to do things for you.

In other words, let go and DELEGATE as soon as you can.

Whether it’s in an office, a special room, or a special time when there is no one else around, finding time to focus and work alone is critical.  For me, the best time to do this is when others are sleeping.

Without any disruptions, you should use this time to focus and get the important things done.  Don’t have too many priorities. Get one thing done at a time until completion.

Don’t surf the internet, don’t check random emails. Turn off your phone and get to work!

I see too many people in business that are addicted to travel.  Often, they do not know exactly why they are getting on a plane before they do!  Can you accomplish the same results via a phone call or even an email in a fraction of the time?

The late Peter Drucker, often referred to as the father of modern management, said it right:

“Don’t travel so much.  Organize your travel.  It is important that you see people and that you are seen by people maybe once or twice a year.  Otherwise, don’t travel.   Use technology–it is cheaper than traveling.”

Exceptions:

1. If you need to travel to see large customers/clients for opportunities that have the potential to dramatically increase your sales.

2. For pleasure!

Ok… so I am a little biased on this topic…  But nothing beats having your dog with you at work! You can work with your dog by your side in your home office.  What a great way to break the ice with people.  What a great way to make you smile, make others smile, and to stay grounded on a regular basis.

Those potty breaks… a great way to be forced to take a break and get outside! Get some fresh air! A quick way to recharge your batteries.

If you don’t have a dog, you should get one! If you can’t own a dog right now, I understand… But if your office allows K9 friends, I highly encourage adopting a companion!

Some great tidbits below from a magazine Q&A with the late Peter Drucker on getting things done.

“Many people are good at execution, but poor at picking the important things.  They are magnificent at getting the unimportant things done.”

“The pressure on leaders to get 984 different different things done in unbearable, so the effective ones learn how to say no and stick with it. Too many leaders try to do a little bit of 25 things and get nothing done.”

I love to travel, even if it is to a new park or outdoor area I have never been to in my own community.  There’s something about traveling that teaches, refreshes, and stimulates the senses.

Remember- you can read it in a book and watch it on TV, but you really must travel there to actually feel it for yourself!

The easiest way I’ve found to get important work done at the office, is not to check email continuously all day long…  But rather check it a few times a day (more or less depending on your job requirements).

Focus on getting your key tasks done first, then get to your emails. That is why email is not the phone. You can check it when it’s convenient. If you receive a lot of disruptive phone calls, let them go to voice mail (if you job allows for this) and return any calls at the same time you check your emails.

There’s no better feeling than finishing your day of work- knowing that you have knocked off the important tasks from your long list of to-do things. Give this a try!

“Habit is a cable; we weave a thread of it every day, and at last we cannot break it” -Horace Mann

I love this quote as it applies to working and business. I think one needs to establish good habits that make them effective and productive.  Bad habits, and unproductive routines, can last and last until they become part of your daily schedule.

Good habits are key, but in my opinion, not the same as a routine.  Personally, I like to mix up my routine on a regular basis. I think this keeps me fresh and more productive. You?