The accountability to get things done with Dawn Shannon, who helps her clients turn their to-do lists into Well Done lists – and grow a small business! Dawn Shannon is a Certified Professional Coach, and the founder of Jovi Strategies, who works with visionaries, entrepreneurs and go-getters who struggle to achieve their biggest goals month after month, year after year. Dawn shares her entrepreneur story, and insights on how and why accountability is critical to achieving success in life and business (starting at 14:32).

Dawn Shannon is a Certified Professional Coach, and the founder of Jovi Strategies, who works with visionaries, entrepreneurs and go-getters who struggle to achieve their biggest goals month after month, year after year.

When her clients come to her, they are tired of falling short of their goals, spinning their wheels, and not gaining traction. They are ready for someone to walk alongside them in their success journey and hold their feet to the fire.

Dawn helps her clients strategize and create a doable plan of action. Once that is in place, Dawn works with her clients through ongoing accountability sessions to ensure they execute the plan.

Dawn lives in Fort Worth, Texas.

Accountability to Get Things Done with Dawn Shannon

• “I work with entrepreneurs, visionaries, creatives and other highly driven professionals to reduce the overwhelm of those “to-do” lists & help turn them into “well done” lists!”
• Why do we need to be accountable to someone else? Why do we respond to that?
• What type of person is it most effective for us to be accountable to?
• How does an Accountability Coach like yourself help?
• What is the #1 thing you see entrepreneurs struggle with regarding accountability?
• What are the components of a “doable plan of action”?
• One of your programs is called ’30 Days to Done’. In this program you say your clients will get more done in 30 days than most do in 90. Why is focusing in on a 30-day plan so important?
• Why is it important to define and prioritize my goals before I prioritize my to do list?
• Please share a few tips on how to prioritize effectively.
• From the worksheet: “What are 3 things I need to ELIMINATE in order to stay focused:” – Why is this important?
• How can I reduce my tendency to avoid getting to the hard or unpleasant tasks on my list?
• What are some of the common triggers or reasons why we struggle with consistently getting the right things done?
• As a business owner, it’s easy to blame the demands of running a business for why we don’t get things done. What advice do you share to help us with this?
• What does it look like after a client has worked with you and they have learned how to get things done on a consistent basis? What does it do for them and their business?
• Where do you recommend we start as small business owners with getting better at getting things done?

More Tips to Get Things Done for Small Business Owners

For small business owners, effective time management and productivity are essential for success. Here are five tips to help get things done efficiently:

1. Prioritize Tasks: Use a system like the Eisenhower Box to categorize tasks by urgency and importance. Focus on high-impact activities that align with your business goals, and delegate or postpone less critical tasks.
2. Set Specific Goals: Establish clear, achievable goals for each day, week, and month. Breaking down larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks can help maintain focus and momentum.
3. Limit Distractions: Identify your major time-wasters and minimize them. This might involve setting specific times for checking emails, using productivity apps to block distracting websites, or creating a dedicated workspace. In his book “Deep Work – Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World“, author Cal Newport explains why it’s so important and productive to block out time on your calendar to focus on just one thing – with limited or no distractions.
4. Use Time-Blocking: Allocate specific time blocks for different types of work. This helps in maintaining focus on one task at a time and can reduce the inefficiency of constantly switching between tasks. The Harvard Business Review emphasizes the effectiveness of this approach: “Time-blocking is not just a scheduling technique, but a way to enforce a level of discipline and order, ensuring that priority tasks get the attention they deserve.”
5. Review and Reflect: Regularly review your progress and workflow. Reflect on what’s working and what’s not, and adjust your strategies accordingly. This continuous improvement can lead to more effective and efficient work habits over time. At the start of every week, review your calendar for commitments, block out focus time, and prioritize what’s most important.

By prioritizing tasks, setting specific goals, minimizing distractions, effectively using time-blocking, and regularly reviewing their approach, small business owners can significantly enhance their productivity. These strategies not only help in getting things done but also in achieving a higher level of organization and efficiency in their business operations and empowering their teams.

Resources:

Books mentioned in this episode:
[We receive commissions for purchases made through these links (more info)].

• Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time
• The Great Little Book of Affirmations

Other Podcast Episodes:

Time Management & Productivity Episodes

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Henry Lopez, a Serial Entrepreneur and Business Coach is the host of The How of Business podcast. The How of Business podcast is the best show to help you start, run and grow your small business.