Tom Feltenstein

I get more work done during the day than most people half my age. No, I’m not drinking a bunch of caffeine and I don’t drink green algae or take hourly B12 shots. I make effective use of my time. Hardly anybody matches my personal productivity, because they refuse to embrace my methods (most of which are just common sense). The one method that I take the most flack about is that I don’t have a computer on my desk. I don’t waste my time on the mind numbing daily internet surf or reading about if Tiger has another girlfriend. Instead I use my time wisely on the things that bring in revenue to my business or enhance my life in some way. Unfortunately, the majority of business owners don’t understand the importance of this thought process and wind up being slaves to their cell phones, laptops, and email. What a time drain!

I simply prioritize my day, figure out what’s really important and cut the rest out. If I don’t have time to do what has to be done, I immediately delegate it. This gives me the results I want as well as the freedom to enjoy doing what I want to do. There is a growing recognition that this constant obsession with being connected is more harmful than helpful. I recently saw a Frontline program on PBS featuring the research of a Stanford scientist who used MRI’s to demonstrate potential permanent damage to the very ability to think from too much computer time. Dare I say it; we can actually spend too much time on our electronic gizmos and gadgets. How many customers do people ignore or lose because they’re constantly texting or checking email? Who would you rather do business with, an actual person who takes the time to speak to you or Mr. Roboto who works you in between emails and texts?

This constant connectedness to the digital world is a never ending disruption of thought as well as a drain on your time and productivity. I say no more! Toss your laptops in the dumpster on the way home. Turn your cell phones off. Stop texting and start thinking. Revolt against the machine, take back your time and invest it in what really matters – your business.

One of the biggest excuses business owners use is that they don’t have time to learn new techniques to grow their business. I speak with many who flat out tell me that they can’t leave their business for even a few days.  They run around like a chicken with its head cut off trying to do anything and everything. This is nuts! The truth is they don’t run their business it runs them. It’s all about priorities. Do you feel like a slave to your business with no time to promote your brand or get new customers? Have you lost your focus on growth and become a mindless zombie wandering around blindly? Do your employees roll their eyes when they see you walk in the door and think “Oh no, here comes Major Micro-manage?” Why are you scared to let go and delegate? Your  main responsibility as a business owner is to hire the right people so you can put your efforts toward expanding your business.

I hire the best and brightest in the country. I don’t want to know how to upload photos, fix my computer, or ship orders. My best talent is spent meeting customers face to face and getting new business. If you don’t concentrate on your strengths, your weaknesses are going to crush you. Learning not to insist on control of every aspect and every decision is difficult for some business owners. To this, I say – SNAP OUT OF IT! Is your best time really spent standing in line at the Post Office or going to Costco to buy bottled water?

Evaluate your own capabilities and identify whether or not some of the tasks you spend so much time on are really moving you forward, or if they could be better performed by someone else. If you’re in business to make money, use your talents wisely and trust your employees to do their jobs. If you don’t trust them than why did you hire them? How much would your business grow if you were more focused, had more time, and less worry?