You can be on Entrepreneur’s cover!

How To Stop Busyness And Remain Productive Everybody wants a piece of your time; be wise about whom you choose to give it to.

By Mark Sephton

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Everybody wants a piece of your time; be wise about whom you choose to give it to. Explore curiosities, but be intentional and do everything with purpose. According to research, your brain will attempt to "simulate" real productive work by avoiding big projects and focus on small, mindless tasks to fill your time. Don't allow your time to be choked up with busyness! Don't accept tasks just because someone will pay you for it. Only accept tasks that are in line with your passions and strengths. Be mindful of this, and you will soon find yourself more productive, and less busy. Take time to reflect. Reflection is one of the most important tools for personal growth. It's helpful to take time out and take stock of how you're performing, what you're involved in, what's taking up your energy and focus. Discover what motivates you; your personal mission statement:

DON'T BE BUSY, BE PRODUCTIVE

Stop multitasking! Multitasking dilutes your focus and execution. When you're doing more than one thing at any one time, you're not giving all your energy to anything. Focus on the most important thing at that moment to save energy in the long run. Unless you cut yourself in half, you can only physically be in one place at any time. Know what matters to you and center your thoughts on that. The only way to make your life extraordinary is to know what extraordinary means to you. Once you know what matters, set your priorities accordingly.

Tips On Finding Balance:

1. Take Care Of Yourself

Get enough rest. Exhaustion and sleep deprivation results in poor decision making. You will not only protect but absolutely increase the reputation of your brand by coming from a place of rest, recovery and focus.

2. Focus On One Thing At A Time

Find that one thing and become an expert in that one area of focus. Rid yourself of those duties that no longer stimulate your passions or give you the opportunity to flex your skills.

3. Ensure Technology Serves You

Don't be a slave to the distractions of social media and every device that you own.

4. Secure Your Downtime

Take regular time to just switch off. Carve out regular breaks or take time to reflect, unwind and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Often when we take timeouts we tap into our real inventive genius.

5. Find Order In Your Purpose

Write down your mission statement. This encapsulates your purpose and values. your mission statement sets the direction for your personal and professional development. Set clear and measurable goals and objectives to accomplish your mission with deadlines to reaching them.

Mark Sephton

Entrepreneur, Mentor, and Business Coach

Mark Sephton is a personal mentor to entrepreneurs. His mission to help others has seen him break into global markets while working with startups and millionaire entrepreneurs around the world.

Mark’s love for entrepreneurship has been expressed through serving as a podcast host for Brainz Magazine. When not on the mic, Mark is a regular contributor to Entrepreneur, and a speaker for corporate events, entrepreneurship summits, and major conferences worldwide.

His expertise in personal and professional development has positioned him as an expert in the industry, resulting in transformational experiences for audiences, clients, and businesses alike. Drawing from personal experiences, Mark has taken the essence of what he has experienced and built a business that helps draw out the magnificent potential that every person beholds using his GPS system to highlight blind spots, efficiencies and deficiencies.

He is also the author of three personal development books Inside Job, Plot Twist, and his latest book, Mark of a Man, launching on November 30, 2021.

Business News

James Clear Explains Why the 'Two Minute Rule' Is the Key to Long-Term Habit Building

The hardest step is usually the first one, he says. So make it short.

Finance

The Recap: Leaders In Fintech Awards 2023

The Leaders in Fintech Awards 2023 was staged by Entrepreneur Middle East with the support of in5, Idealz One, Numei Real Estate and Fluidmeet.

Personal Finance

How to Get a Lifetime of Investing Experience in Only One Year

Plus, how day traders can learn a lesson from pilots.

Growing a Business

'You Need to be a Non-Expert': Why Billionaire Naveen Jain Believes Outsiders Make the Best Entrepreneurs

Naveen Jain founded microbiome testing and supplements company Viome by believing he didn't need expertise to disrupt an industry.

Side Hustle

He Took His Side Hustle Full-Time After Being Laid Off From Meta in 2023 — Now He Earns About $200,000 a Year: 'Sweet, Sweet Irony'

When Scott Goodfriend moved from Los Angeles to New York City, he became "obsessed" with the city's culinary offerings — and saw a business opportunity.

Management

The Best Communicators Follow These 3 Rules When Talking to Those in Authority

Here's to turn a communication mishap into a powerful communication framework.When you are clear about the kind of communication you need, it's easier for people to say the right things and take the right actions.