18 executives share their secret to getting sh*t done - mailbird

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18 Executives Share Their Secret to Getting Sh*t Done

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18 Executives Share Their Secret to Getting Sh*t

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We reached out to 18 Presidents, CEOs, and Founders with a simple question: What is your secret to staying productive?

I spend every morning doing the exact same tasks for business. This helps me clear out important and taxing work very early in my day which gives me a more relaxed schedule knowing the grunt work is done. I've been doing this for almost a year now and my life is much easier because of it!

Name: Nick EspinosaTitle: CIOCompany: BSSi2Twitter: @NickAEsp

Have a rule: 1: Daily goal. Notice there is no plural there. Every day there is one goal that must get done. There are always more and everyone has a long to do list. But what is the one thing that you must do. The day can never end unless that one goal is complete.

Name: Eric NarciscoTitle: CEOCompany: EffectiveCoverage.com

To increase communication and synergy within my team I incorporated a tool called Kanban, the Japanese scheduling system to control tasks and logistics. Our entire organization meets first thing daily to discuss the most urgent tasks and through the use of sticky notes, a white board and good old fashion verbal communication those tasks are assigns to the appropriate department to complete.It is seemingly low tech but the results have proven to be extremely successful in increasing productivity and organizational flow. Weekly, we assess the accomplishments and celebrate our achievements, which builds employee morale.

Name: Monica Eaton-CardoneTitle: COOCompany: Chargebacks911Twitter: @Monica_Eaton

Before you leave for the day, write down the single most important thing you need to do the next day. When you start the next day, do that thing. Do it before email, before email, before phone calls and before meetings. Stick to just one thing -- make sure the task is doable in short period of time. This forces you to focus on your most important tasks before business distractions get in the way.

For example, I recently kept delaying renewing a software support agreement - this went on for week and our support expired. So I made it my priority. Once I was able to focus, I completed the task in 30 minutes. There's also a nice confidence boost is getting your most important thing done before my second cup of espresso.

Name: Jeff HuckabyTitle: CEOCompany: www.rackaid.com

My one important rule that I try to stick by is to take five minutes of leisure every hour to clear my head. Whether this is walking around the block, hanging out at the water cooler, or reading for pleasure online, it helps me clear my brain and then focus on money making tasks. Its difficult to be locked in for 8-10 hours a day, so even taking small breaks will greatly improve your productivity.

Name: Bill FishTitle: PresidentCompany: ReputationManagement.com

Each morning I use the application Momentum to write down my top three priorities for the day. They are on one of my screens with an inspirational image/quote. Having these in front of me all day makes a huge difference.

Name: Susan PowerTitle: Owner & CEOCompany: HigherTalent.caTwitter: @HigherTalent_HR

Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I set my cell phone timer for five minutes. Then, I commit to focusing exclusively on the topic at hand for that period of time. By doing this, I build up momentum and always find that I want to keep going after the timer goes off.

Focusing on a small, easy step for a short period of time will keep you energized, give you the feeling of progress, optimism, and control, and cement your identity as someone who gets stuff done.

Name: Brian ScudamoreTitle: CEOCompany: o2ebrands.comTwitter: @brianscudamore

One thing that I find helping a ton is time blocking. So often we all have multiple things going and when trying to write, code or do something more technical, email can be distracting. If someone emails me, I don't think they need an absolute immediate response, it can always 2 hours-so I make sure to not have email open when trying to concentrate on an important task.

Name: Mark AselstineTitle: OwnerCompany: UncorkedVentures.comTwitter: @MarkAselstine

My habit for keeping myself productive throughout the day is inbox zero by close of business. Whenever I receive emails, I make sure I reply, ignore, forward etc i.e. whatever appropriate action is required. Making sure I do this helps me stay on top of all communication with clients, suppliers etc and make me more productive.

Name: Srajan MishraTitle: CEOCompany: www.tsi.internationalTwitter: @iSrajanM

My business entails a lot of communication on IM platforms, which leads to constant daily interruptions. My strategy to stay productive is to set myself a critical to-do list and a timer. I cross off each item and log the time it took to complete it. I do not allow myself to work on anything else that is not urgent until the critical list is completed.

Name: Danay EscanaverinoTitle: CEOCompany: lunasolmedia.comTwitter: @danay

One of the most amazing tools I use to stay productive at work is SelfControl. When I sit down to work I set my app on for 2-4hrs at a time and I put distracting sites on their blacklist like facebook, twitter, buzzfeed, instagram, ect…. once the app starts running it won’t allow you to go to those specific sites for as long as the timer is running. This always helps keep me on task and prevents distractions. 

Name: Adelaida Diaz-RoaTitle: COO/Co-OwnerCompany: www.ruffitusa.comTwitter: @ruffit_usa

Use BaseCamp!: BaseCamp is an amazing project management tool that we use to tackle projects. A project doesn’t have to be a project in a traditional sense (like “our new website”), it could also be a goal, like “get more customer reviews” or “increase sales”.

We assign team members to-dos, with due dates, explanations etc. It’s a great way of keeping discussions in one central place, also it enables you to loop ‘outside’ people (like a freelancer) into a project (all you need to do is provide them with a specific email address; they have no access to the actual project). It’s super clean and super easy to use

Name:  Patrick Bedford Title: COOCompany:  www.WatchesOnNet.com

The most important thing that keeps me productive are setting hard deadlines. If I know that if something has to be done today or it will fail, it will get done today. This requires some shuffling around, a bit of lying to yourself about when things are actually due, and a bit of last minute stress, but for some people (like myself) the pressure drives you to push through and make it happen.

Use the built-in reminders/checklist apps on your phone and computer to set time/date based deadlines. I know the little red dots on my phone drive me nuts and remind me what has to be done and when.

Name:  Zack Pennington Title: CMOCompany:  collabramusic.comTwitter: @zackpennington

I map out my day with a list of Projects and the next 5 steps to complete these projects (does not mean I will complete all steps that day, but at least I know what is next to keep the projects moving).

Then I make two lists: People I need to contact today, and People I am waiting to contact me. This helps to know what meetings I have for the day and who to follow up with if I do not hear back. Lastly, I list out Things I Need to Do Today - tasks that I want to get done.

It's okay if some carry over to the next day - at least there is a list that I work from. I have to give full credit to marketing guru Brendon Burchard because this is from his one page productivity worksheet!

Name:  Tasha MayberryTitle: PresidentCompany:  www.socialmedia22.com  Twitter: @SMMSEO22

Over the last 10 years of building my company, the most valuable habit I have found is to set a date. Whatever the task or program, if I make myself accountable to deliver to people outside my organization on a specific date, I get it done.

Name: John Andrew WilliamsTitle: FounderCompany:  acedemiclifecoaching.com

“Each morning, take 5 minutes to write out a schedule for the day and try your best to stick to that schedule. Have certain timeframes set aside to check emails, work on specific projects, etc. When you’re working on specific projects, also keep your email closed so you do not get distracted. This will really help you, because you will feel more accomplished when you cross items off of the schedule.

Name: Amanda HenkeTitle: OwnerCompany:  AnnieBs.com

“Each morning, take 5 minutes to write out a schedule for the day and try your best to stick to that schedule. Have certain timeframes set aside to check emails, work on specific projects, etc. When you’re working on specific projects, also keep your email closed so you do not get distracted. This will really help you, because you will feel more accomplished when you cross items off of the schedule.

Name: Amanda HenkeTitle: OwnerCompany:  AnnieBs.com

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