American Express convinced me to spill the secret about the do/build method for small business owners. It’s a hack for better productivity, and one that you really need to nail if you own more than one business! You might think of “work” as having only one definition, but there are really two: doing and building.
We all do both every day, but the doing can take up too much time. It can include busy work like meeting and reporting. It’s a necessity, but one that should take as little time as possible. Building is comprised of networking, brainstorming, and other tasks that move you and your business forward. Aim for at least 25 percent of building, and ideally 50 percent.
One way to do more building is to schedule it in. You might want to also set building goals and don’t obsess over your schedule. Scheduling building is key, but don’t drive yourself batty with it. I personally schedule in just 30 minutes per day to steer clear of micromanaging myself. You’ll also want to strategize and customize how you build—every entrepreneur is unique, so what works exactly for me might not work for you!
Most importantly, love and prioritize your building time.
