12 Things Entrepreneurs Should Stop Doing Every Day

As startup founders, we’re always being told what we should be doing. But what about the habits we need to break?

Question: We talk a lot about daily habits and productivity. But what’s one thing entrepreneurs should STOP doing every day?

Focusing on a To-Do List

"The best leaders I know focus on building the right culture and energy in the office. Sitting in a corner and pounding out to-do items may feel productive, but don't forget about doing the things that aren't fully quantifiable. Helping teammates who may be having a bad morning or struggling with a project could be the single most valuable thing you do all day! "


Talking About Themselves

"Entrepreneurs tend to get so wrapped up in the pitching, convincing and selling of their day-to-day life that sometimes it becomes all they ever talk about. Being well-rounded and conversational will help you have rapport with others around you. While talking about yourself and your business is important, doing so constantly comes off as being self-centered and oblivious to the world around you. "


Eating Pizza

"When you head into the startup phase of your company, everything you used to do that was healthy is going to stop. You are going to put on weight. You are going to end up with too much stress and a back that is in constant pain. Don't eat pizza. It will make it easier to get back in shape when you're out of that phase. "


Using Social Media Distractions

"Shut down all your personal social media distractions during the work day. Facebook, Instagram, Vine and Twitter will all be there after you complete your daily tasks. Many entrepreneurs don't realize just how much time they waste reading and engaging on these mediums and also just how much it decreases their daily productivity. To succeed, use your time wisely. "


Multitasking

"Multitasking has its place in the business realm, but there are also times when it should be avoided. If you multitask two separate and very important projects, you can end up with two sets of dismal results. Know when to multitask and when to focus on a single task."


Waiting for the Right Moment

"Stop waiting for the right time, and just get things done. Define the one thing you can do today that will help grow your business and not just keep you busy."


Attending Management Meetings

"Admittedly, management meetings are sometimes necessary and useful beasts. But a culture of meetings is ultimately just a time suck. Everyone has had that experience of waiting for a meeting to end so that real work can resume. To increase productivity, reduce management meetings and time in meetings in general. When you must meet, have a clear agenda and stick to it. "


Pleasing Others First

"If you are allowing your time and energy to be diverted from your priority tasks simply to make professional acquaintances (e.g., individuals not in your inner circle) happy, then you're not investing your time well. Focus on the people and activities that really matter, and you'll be better off in the long run. "


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12 Things Entrepreneurs Should Stop Doing Every Day

As startup founders, we’re always being told what we should be doing. But what about the habits we need to break?

Question: We talk a lot about daily habits and productivity. But what’s one thing entrepreneurs should STOP doing every day?

Focusing on a To-Do List

"The best leaders I know focus on building the right culture and energy in the office. Sitting in a corner and pounding out to-do items may feel productive, but don't forget about doing the things that aren't fully quantifiable. Helping teammates who may be having a bad morning or struggling with a project could be the single most valuable thing you do all day! "


Talking About Themselves

"Entrepreneurs tend to get so wrapped up in the pitching, convincing and selling of their day-to-day life that sometimes it becomes all they ever talk about. Being well-rounded and conversational will help you have rapport with others around you. While talking about yourself and your business is important, doing so constantly comes off as being self-centered and oblivious to the world around you. "


Eating Pizza

"When you head into the startup phase of your company, everything you used to do that was healthy is going to stop. You are going to put on weight. You are going to end up with too much stress and a back that is in constant pain. Don't eat pizza. It will make it easier to get back in shape when you're out of that phase. "


Using Social Media Distractions

"Shut down all your personal social media distractions during the work day. Facebook, Instagram, Vine and Twitter will all be there after you complete your daily tasks. Many entrepreneurs don't realize just how much time they waste reading and engaging on these mediums and also just how much it decreases their daily productivity. To succeed, use your time wisely. "


Multitasking

"Multitasking has its place in the business realm, but there are also times when it should be avoided. If you multitask two separate and very important projects, you can end up with two sets of dismal results. Know when to multitask and when to focus on a single task."


Waiting for the Right Moment

"Stop waiting for the right time, and just get things done. Define the one thing you can do today that will help grow your business and not just keep you busy."


Attending Management Meetings

"Admittedly, management meetings are sometimes necessary and useful beasts. But a culture of meetings is ultimately just a time suck. Everyone has had that experience of waiting for a meeting to end so that real work can resume. To increase productivity, reduce management meetings and time in meetings in general. When you must meet, have a clear agenda and stick to it. "


Pleasing Others First

"If you are allowing your time and energy to be diverted from your priority tasks simply to make professional acquaintances (e.g., individuals not in your inner circle) happy, then you're not investing your time well. Focus on the people and activities that really matter, and you'll be better off in the long run. "


See Also: How to Easily Increase Your Email Reach

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