As we transition into the final quarter of the year, it’s common to experience a collective weariness. This period is often marked by increased demands, a growing desire for a well-deserved holiday, and the mounting pressure to “wrap up” the year’s affairs. Perhaps you’re reflecting on the goals you set at the outset of the year, those aspirations that still linger unfulfilled as the year-end approaches. Maybe you’ve found yourself juggling an overwhelming array of tasks, or perhaps you’re easily sidetracked by distractions.
Now is the moment to infuse a renewed sense of vitality into this closing chapter. It’s a time to shift your focus toward strategies that can enhance your pursuit of business objectives. Are there processes within your business that could be refined to facilitate achieving more with fewer resources? Whether you’re a business owner, a professional, or an entrepreneur in the field of dietetics and nutrition, these productivity hacks can be a catalyst for your journey towards optimal time management, enhanced business efficiency, and the preservation of a harmonious work-life balance.
No matter your specific circumstances, whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or an aspiring dietitian nutritionist with your own private practice, the quest for heightened productivity is a common thread. In this fast-paced and dynamic sector, the integration of these proven productivity tactics into your daily routine holds the potential to significantly transform your professional life.
With a fresh perspective, you can navigate the demands of your private practice more effectively. These productivity hacks will help you streamline your workflow, organize your time, and ultimately achieve the balance that’s essential for both personal well-being and the sustainable growth of your nutrition-focused business. So, let’s explore these strategies, and as the year draws to a close, let’s embark on a journey toward greater productivity, professional fulfillment, and a brighter future in the world of dietetics and nutrition.
1. STAY FOCUSED
I like to have a moodboard in the office so every morning I can see exactly what it is I am doing this for. It acts as a great reminder for why I’m staying up late and filling my weekends with client meetings. Sometimes I need all the motivation I can get.
2. CONTROL YOUR CALENDAR
It’s no secret that I am a planner and I like to do things very methodically. I have certain days of the week where I see patients/clients and others where I get my admin done. I find it much easier to stick to tasks when I have time to do them, rather than jumping from one thing to another constantly. Try blocking out sections of your day for assigned tasks and then sticking to them (with no distractions). Remember that feeling when you get on a roll and manage to storm through that to do list. It’s often because your brain is already engaged and in the right space so by completing similar tasks at that time, you are utilising what is already working.
3. TURN OFF NOTIFICATIONS ON YOUR SMART PHONE
It is honestly such an instant reaction to lean over and grab the phone the instant it beeps, bongs and pings. I have found putting it in another room helps, as well as turning it on silent so I can remain on task which is particularly important when there is a due date pressing. I also don’t have emails on my phone so that I don’t miss anything. How many times have you been out somewhere, you’ve looked at email and said you’ll reply later, then it gets forgotten? It also means for me, when I’m out with my family, I’m not distracted by work emails.
4. PLAN FOR EMAILS
Building on what I just said, I find if I have emails on my phone, I read them once they come through so I know in my head what I have to answer during the day or if it can wait until later that night. I have certain times throughout the day that I set aside to go through my emails and I try to not reply to too many prior to that which allows me to get through the client related work I need too during the day if I have a chance to do so.
5. DELEGATE
I’ve worked with dietitians in private practice for the last 6 years and I know there are only so many hours in the day and that we can’t do it all, no matter how hard we try. There does come a time where we have to work to our strengths and outsource what we don’t enjoy or what we are not good at. This might be tasks within your home, we have a cleaner, I utilise the grandparents for childcare after school some days which all helps my work productivity. I also outsources tasks within my business so I can focus on the income generating tasks that only I can do, and the tasks that give me the most amount of enjoyment. I really don’t like social media so I don’t do that in my business. I now also have a VA to help with some marketing tasks and have previously had a copywriter/blog writer. Start by writing down all the things you do in your week and then rank them – only I can do, something someone else can do and how long each tasks takes you. Then prioritise them according to what you enjoy and what you don’t enjoy.
6. AUTOMATE AUTOMATE AUTOMATE
If you think about all the things you do in a day, how many of them can be automated/scheduled to help you minimise that to do list of yours? Once you have identified them from the task above, the next step is to set up the automation. This might be booking links, automatic reminders, payments, invoicing, using software for bookkeeping to more complex marketing automations such as setting up sales funnels.
7.UNSUBSCRIBE
I find this particularly freeing when I unsubscribe from all of the email lists I am part of. There is no value in deleting before I even read 20 emails every day when I can be putting that time to use doing something more useful. I am not someone who copes well with an inbox of 5000 unread emails. It just gives me conniptions!
8. SAY NO
Unfortunately with so many things on my plate, saying no is something that I’ve had to do more than I would have liked too but my time is precious, I have 4 kids and a husband and I work 60 hours a week so for me to stay rested, be a good mum and wife and homemaker, I sometimes need to say no. Have you got into the habit of saying yes, just because?
9. THE LAST THING YOU DO BEFORE BED
I hear more and more about the importance of a morning routine but I find the best thing for me is to before I go to bed, write down my to do list for the following day so that when I get the kids off to school and sit down at my desk, I know exactly what it is I need to get through and start ticking off the list.
So whilst it may not be a glamorous list, they are all strategies I implement during my working week to try and fit as much work into the least amount of hours possible so I can get back to enjoying time with these treasures. (insert picture of family).
I urge you, no matter what time of the year it is, to try some of these productivity hacks to free up some time in order to create space. When you create space, that’s when the magic happens.
In our world of private practice dietitians and nutritionists, being a successful practice owner requires more than just a passion for health and wellness. After all, balancing patient consultations, research, staying up to date with clinical knowledge, all the admin tasks that come with being a business owner and marketing yourself can be a challenge. In this blog post, we’ve explored seven essential productivity hacks tailored specific to dietitians and nutritionists working for themselves, who have taken the path of entrepreneurship. By incorporating these strategies into your daily routine, you can not only improve your efficiency, but also find a better equilibrium between work and life.
One of the most fundamental tips we discussed is time blocking. Structuring your day into dedicated blocks, and separating admin and client care which will allow you time to maintain focus and avoid multitasking. It’s a game changer for any dietitian or nutritionist out there juggling a million things. Automation and delegation can’t be emphasized enough. As a nutrition entrepreneur, you’re the expert, but you don’t need to be a one-man show. Automating tasks within and outside your business and home can free up precious time for client work, and quality downtime/family time.
Finally, setting goals is crucial. Regularly evaluating your goals ensures that you’re moving in the right direction and allows you to make the necessary adjustments and keep your business on the path to success.
As a dietitian nutritionist, the work you are doing to help those who need you, to improve the health and wellbeing of your clients is so, so important and people need more clinicians like you in the world. By implementing these productivity hacks, you can continue to do what you love while thriving as a business owner and entrepreneur. Productivity is not a buzzword. It’s the key to maintaining a fulfilling, successful and sustainable practice.
If you are feeling a little overwhelmed and stagnant in your business, if you are in paralysis phase and not taking action and need a helping hand, our 6 month coaching program Thrive can help you to start making steps forward in your business.
