Colorado Real Estate Journal - October 21, 2015

Productivity Tips for Construction Business Owners

by busybusy Team

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Construction business owners are some of the busiest people we know. Often we have customers that wear many hats in their business from accounting to working out in the field. In this article we discuss some of the top productivity tips construction professionals can use to increase their efficiency and hopefully get more done.

Remove Distractions

People often like to brag about how well they can multitask, while research shows that humans really can’t multitask, instead we switch from task to task very quickly. There is a lot of benefit to focusing on what you’re working on and completely ignoring all other distractions. If you’re working at a computer or on other paperwork, consider trying the Pomodoro technique, this technique involves working on 1 task for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. During the 25 minutes, you give the task your full attention and effort and allow no distractions.

Batch your Tasks

Start batching repetitive tasks in order to get more done in less time. Batching allows you to focus on the same kind of tasks and not think about anything else. Everyday tasks that construction professionals could batch include:
1. Check your Emails
2. Managing Online Reputation and Presence
3. Client Follow-up and accountability phone calls
4. Sending Invoices
5. Accounting Work

When you batch your tasks, it allows you to get into the “mindset” of whatever you’re working on. Our brain get’s faster as we start repeating the same task over and over again.

Track Where you Spend your Time

One of the best features of the busybusy app is the ability to track your own time. Tracking where you spent your time will allow you to identify where you are spending the most time and if your time should could be managed differently.

Along with tracking where you spend all of your “work” or business time, consider what you’re doing in your personal time. Tracking your own time may bring insight into your life that could improve your business. Even if you don’t track your time every day, consider doing it for a short period. The data you will gather from using a time tracking software will be invaluable in establishing healthier working habits.

Eliminate Decision Fatigue

Our willpower is a finite resource that can burn out. Most people make hundreds of decisions every day:
• What’s for breakfast?
• What should I wear to work today?
• Which route should I take to work today?
• Which brand of paint should I buy for my current project?

All of these decisions take a toll on your brain and your willpower. Have you ever got home from a long day at work, and all you wanted to do was sit on your couch, watch tv, and not think about anything? You have probably experienced decision fatigue. The good news is you can implement some simple strategies to reduce this from happening to you.

What do Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerburg, Barack Obama and several other world famous business leaders have in common? They all wear the same thing every day. Wearing the same thing every day can reduce the amount of decisions you have to make every day and, therefore, increase your productivity. If you run a construction company, consider adopting a uniform, even if it’s as simple as a shirt with your logo on it. If you’re not ready to commit to wearing the same thing every day, you can always pick out your outfit the night before.

Other things you can do to eliminate unnecessary decisions includes:

1. Make a meal plan: Instead of using your time and resource to decide on what you want to eat, take an hour and plan your meals for the rest of the week. You can alternatively eat the same thing every day for lunch and breakfast and add some variety at dinner time.

2. Set an Exercise Schedule: Exercise has lots of benefits, but instead of coming home every day and deciding to work out…or not, make a set schedule of when you’re going to work out every week.

3. Allow other people to make decisions for you. Identify the business decisions that can be made by other people and let them make the routine decisions.

With decision fatigue mostly taking its toll on people in the evening, it’s important to make sure you get your most important tasks done in the morning.

Plan Breaks

Taking breaks can not only help you be more productive but it will prevent burnout over the long run. If you have a big day ahead of you, do yourself a favor and plan scheduled breaks. Research suggests that a small break now and then will help you get more done rather than less. If you work at a computer, all day then get outside for a little bit. Take a walk around the office or in the parking lot if possible. If you’re working on the job site, take a “planned” break every once in a while. This small break can allow your brain to reset and when you return to work you’ll feel refreshed and more energized to finish out the work day strong.

A few minor modifications in our daily routine can deliver big dividends. Being more efficient, increases your productivity and enriches your quality of life. Contact busybusy at 303.717.8113 or pete@busybusy.com.