Productivity is the lifeblood of any successful business, especially for small business owners and entrepreneurs juggling multiple responsibilities. But being productive doesn’t just mean working harder; it means working smarter. Marketing expert Seth Godin, known for his clear and powerful insights, recently shared a set of simple, actionable rules for being more productive. One effective strategy he emphasizes is the use of Sunday night preparation techniques, which involve planning the week ahead to set clear goals and prioritize tasks. By taking a little time each Sunday evening to organize and strategize, small business owners can enter the week with a focused mindset and a clear roadmap. This proactive approach not only boosts productivity but also reduces stress, allowing for a smoother, more efficient workweek.

These rules are not just theoretical—they are practical and immediately applicable. Let’s dive into each of Seth Godin’s recommendations, unpacking them and showing you how to apply them to your own business.

Related – 11-step Small Business Checklist for Success

1. Prioritize Direct Communication Over Meetings

“Don’t invite someone to a meeting if an email or 1:1 conversation will do the job just as well.” – Seth Godin

Meetings can be time-consuming, and often, they are not necessary. If you have a clear message, question, or update that doesn’t require back-and-forth discussion, send an email or a direct message instead. One-on-one conversations can also be more efficient for sensitive or nuanced discussions.

Pro Tip: Before scheduling any meeting, ask yourself: “Could this be resolved with an email or a quick chat?” If the answer is yes, skip the meeting.

2. Leverage Virtual Presence Instead of Traveling

“Don’t fly if you can show up virtually and get the job done.” – Seth Godin

Traveling for meetings, especially for entrepreneurs, is a significant time and financial expense. With the rise of video conferencing tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams, you can maintain personal connections without leaving your office.

Pro Tip: Set a rule for yourself: if the objective of the meeting can be achieved with a virtual call, choose that option.

3. Simplify Scheduling with Doodle or Similar Tools

“Instead of asking a group of people when a good time to meet might be, use a Doodle.” – Seth Godin

Scheduling group meetings can become a chaotic back-and-forth. Doodle, a free online scheduling tool, allows you to quickly find a time that works for everyone without dozens of emails.

Pro Tip: Send a Doodle link to all participants with a range of available times and let them vote. This minimizes wasted time.

4. Always Send a Calendar Invite

“Send a calendar invite when you book a time.” – Seth Godin

It seems simple, but many small business owners overlook this. A calendar invite ensures everyone remembers the meeting, has the right time and date, and can easily join the session.

Pro Tip: Use calendar tools like Google Calendar, Outlook, or Calendly to automate invites and reminders.

5. Use AI for Quick Answers, Then Ask Humans

“When you get stuck, first ask Claude, then ask a human.” – Seth Godin

AI tools like Claude (from Anthropic), ChatGPT, or Google’s Bard can provide quick answers to factual or technical questions. This can save you time researching. If the AI can’t help, then turn to your network or team for human insights.

Pro Tip: Use AI tools to clear simple doubts, generate content drafts, or brainstorm ideas, but always validate their output.

6. Respect Time: Show Up on Time and Leave When the Work is Done

“Show up on time. Leave when the work is done.” – Seth Godin

Punctuality is a sign of respect for others’ time, and knowing when to leave is a sign of respecting your own. Meetings should have a clear agenda and a goal. Once the goal is achieved, there is no need to drag it out.

Pro Tip: Set clear time limits for your meetings, and don’t be afraid to end early if the objective is met.

7. Use Shared Documents for Collaboration

“Default to using shared docs (like Google Docs) for any collaborative work.” – Seth Godin

Collaboration is smoother when everyone has access to the same document, and all changes are visible in real time. Google Docs, Dropbox Paper, or Notion are excellent tools for this.

Pro Tip: Create a standard template for collaborative documents, so team members know where to find information and how to contribute.

8. Create and Use Checklists for Repeated Tasks

“For repeated tasks, make a checklist. Update it and share it as you go.” – Seth Godin

Checklists prevent you from missing important steps, especially for recurring tasks. They also make it easier to train new team members.

Pro Tip: Use tools like Trello, Asana, or a simple Google Doc to create and share your checklists. For example, create a checklist for “Preparing a Client Presentation” or “Onboarding a New Employee.”

9. Respect Synchronized Time: Use Video Over Live Meetings

“If you can put it in a video instead of saying it live, please do.” – Seth Godin

Asynchronous communication is one of the biggest productivity hacks. Instead of requiring everyone to be present at the same time, record a video explaining your ideas or giving feedback. This way, your team can watch it at their convenience.

Pro Tip: Use Loom or Zoom’s recording feature to quickly create video messages. This is especially useful for remote teams.

How to Implement Seth Godin’s Productivity Rules in Your Business

Seth Godin’s rules are not complex, but they are powerful. Here are a few steps to help you integrate them into your daily operations:

• Audit Your Meetings: Look at your weekly calendar. Can any of these meetings be replaced with an email or video message?
• Adopt AI Tools: Use AI for simple research, email drafting, or brainstorming. This will free up your time for strategic thinking.
• Standardize Checklists: Identify tasks you or your team do repeatedly and create shareable checklists for them.
• Emphasize Virtual Over Travel: Unless in-person presence is crucial, opt for virtual meetings.
• Educate Your Team: Share Seth Godin’s rules with your team. Make them part of your culture.

Conclusion

Seth Godin has a way of making the complex simple, and his productivity rules are a testament to this. For small business owners and entrepreneurs, where every minute counts, these rules can transform how you manage your time and your team.

By embracing these principles, you not only increase your own efficiency but also create a culture of respect for time—both yours and your team’s.

Related – Take Control of Your Life: The Art of Calendar Management and Saying No