The 4 D’s of Productivity Mandy Enright, MS, RDN, RYT Director of Sponsorship Time is our most valuable and finite resource. Entrepreneurs know we need to spend time or money to create and grow a business. So how do we avoid burning the candle at both ends to keep business costs down? This simple assessment will best maximize your time and productivity: Delete, Delegate, Defer or Do It.
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elete: How long have some of those items been sitting on your to-do list? Are they truly important to moving your business forward? Go through and delete items that aren’t immediate or no longer relevant. Another way to delete items off your to-do list? Simply learn how to
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politely say “no” to items that detract from your business and income goals.
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elegate: Guess what? You don’t have to do EVERYTHING yourself when it comes to running a business. Find reliable resources to delegate tasks that take time away from doing more important or income-producing activities. I personally find Upwork and Fivvr to be invaluable when it comes to getting help with projects and business tasks. Some RDs hire virtual assistants (VAs), while others effectively utilize interns and students. There is a resource for every task and budget out there – just ask around.
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efer: Prioritize tasks. The most urgent items should always be tackled first but be careful not to keep letting new things become urgent before you’ve had a chance to cross items off your list. It’s extremely common to get phone calls and emails asking for last-minute and “urgent” requests. As a business owner, you have the power to push back. If you already have a deadline
you’re working toward, ask for an extended deadline or simply say you don’t have time.
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o It: Like Mark Twain said,“If it’s your job to eat a frog, it’s best to do it first thing in the morning. And if it’s your job to eat two frogs, it’s best to eat the biggest one first.” You know the frog. That item on your list you simply don’t want to do, but it needs to get done. If you let the frog eat you, it will never get done. Do the biggest, hardest, least-exciting task first and the rest of your day will be a breeze. Most important – if a task isn’t incomeproducing or is just time-sucking, let it go! Mandy is the FOOD + MOVEMENT® Dietitian and owner of Team with ME: Nutrition & Fitness Consulting. This Jersey Girl Mermaid is ready to meet you on the water anytime for some SUP Yoga or just a simple lazy paddle. Mandy and her husband are fur parents to a spunky and silly Cavalier appropriately named Shiva the Diva.
