Sports teams try especially hard to win the first game of a new season.
A “quick win” helps them start the season well. �It also:-
- Builds team motivation
- Encourages the fans
- Builds momentum for the coach
- Positions the team for long term success
As a small business owner, every morning is your new season.
The secret to kick-starting your day is to win your first game – the first task on your list.
Kick-Start With A Quick Win
My definition of a quick win is a task that can be completed within the first thirty minutes of the day. �The first task on your list needs to be a quick win.
A quick win increases the entire productivity of your day.
Before I used this method I would start on my first task without any thought to it’s size. �I prioritised what was most important.
Some days my first task would be short, but on others it might be a task that would take several hours and I found myself losing focus and motivation quickly.
Now I start everyday with a quick win, and the results are amazing.
By the time I’ve finished the task I feel like I’ve achieved something, that I’m “on a roll” and this carries me into the rest of my day and helps me build momentum through my task list.
If I have lots of larger projects I break some down into smaller tasks and use one task as my quick win.
A Quick Win Is A Quick Result!
A quick win is more than just an easy task, or a quick task.
It needs to be a task that will bring you a result.
Examples of some of my quick wins include:
- Completing a client proposal
- Sending a motivational email
- Editing and publishing a blog post
- Editing a client’s marketing email
All of these quick wins either helped me progress my own business or the businesses of my clients.
But not all tasks can be used as quick wins. �Some that I wouldn’t suggest include:
- Reading your favourite blogs
- Checking�social networks like Twitter, Facebook, Google+
- Replying to emails
- Checking news websites
Not that these are bad things, they are important and your day should include planned time for them, but they won’t leave you with the feeling of completion like a quick win.
If you start the day with some of these things rather than a quick win you’ll get the opposite effect – you’ll feel like you’re playing “catch up” and that you’re not being productive.
Pick Your�Opponent
Your advantage over a sports team is that you can pick your opponent. �You can pick the task for your quick win.
Pick your quick win the day before.
If you leave it to pick on the morning there is a risk you’ll find something else to do, be less focused and lose the kick-start.
I select my quick win in the evening and ensure that everything I need to complete it is ready so all I need to do is get to my desk and get started.
You can also pick a second quick win for after lunch, or any time of the day that you need a short productivity boost.
Make Your Next Game A Win!
Kick-starting you’re day with a quick win will increase your motivation, momentum and put you on course for a fantastic day.
Don’t believe me? �Try it!
Pick a quick win for tomorrow – the start of your next season. �Complete it and then come back here and let me know how it changed your day in the comments.