The secret to skyrocketing from low and mid-six figures to a million plus is not working grueling 60-hour weeks. It’s a balanced, focused approach to both work and life.
Earn more. Work less.
But how exactly does one do that?
Remember the Pareto Principle—the 80-20 rule?
Roughly 80% of your results come from 20% of your clients and your efforts. I didn’t learn this until after I was disabled for over a year from colorectal cancer and the complications from treatment.
I was a lawyer, and it seemed that the only way I could make a decent income was to work those 60-hour weeks.
I thought then that my only option was to change careers. That’s how I got into working with financial and insurance professionals and coaching.
But here’s what I discovered along the way:
WHAT WORKS
1. Identify the vital tasks. There are a VITAL FEW tasks that always need to be done, and an overwhelming flow of the UNIMPORTANT MANY. Figure out what tasks really move the needle for you. No more scattergun approach. What is required is precision.
2. Quality over quantity. Instead of trying to do everything, focus on doing the VITAL FEW exceptionally well.
3. Short but impactful workdays. Force yourself to make your days shorter—even consider taking an entire weekday off. While you’ll be working less time, your days will be packed with value. No more just getting through the day. You work at making the most out of every minute.
4. Schedule priorities. Important tasks aren’t just “when I get to it”. They’re MUST Dos, and must be in your calendar, with the same importance as meetings with high-value clients.
5. Use Systems to supercharge your results. Working less is good, but are you working on the right things? Over the years, I’ve helped advisors develop systems and strategies that have allowed them to turn their reduced hours into great, profitable practices. Among these are two that are great to focus on right now:
- Have a profitable niche
- Have a marketing system to attract only committed clients in that niche
THE RESULT?
By centering on your most impactful work, you won’t just be sustaining your business. You’ll experience exponential growth.
By being intensely focused on that crucial 20% during work hours and intensely focused on precious non-work time in the remaining hours, you could be there fully for your family; or work on your well-being, your faith, your hobbies, pursuing your next big dream, or a combination of these.
BUT WHAT ABOUT…?
A question I’m often asked is, “But what about the 80% of what you’re calling ‘unimportant’ that still needs to be done?”
Part of your analysis will be to determine (1) Does it really need to be done? (2) Is there someone else who can do it? And (3) How can it be done most quickly and easily?
You’ll need to work hard when you are working, but you’ll have a much better life.
If you’d like help finding more time and making more money, contact me.
In the meantime, keep REACHING…
