If you caught last week’s Part 1 on FOCUS, you know why it’s important to me and should be to you all as founders prepping to raise capital. 

The quick recap is there’s just too effing much to do to allow yourself to be distracted.

Part 1 had some of my favorite hacks (don’t sleep on the Venmo move), and I’ve got 4 more to share today, so let’s get into it…

1. Use a Remarkable (or Digital Notepad)

Here’s a little productivity secret: I love using a Remarkable tablet (or any digital notepad) when I need to brainstorm, plan, or do creative work. What I love about it is that it’s not connected to anything else. No apps. No distractions. Just pure, undistracted writing. When I need to really dive deep into planning or get my creative juices flowing, sitting down with this device and focusing solely on the task at hand does wonders. It’s been so effective for me that I’ve probably convinced nearly 100 people to get one themselves.

2. Put Away Devices Before Bed and Don’t Touch Them in the Morning

This one took a while for me to adopt, but it’s awesome. 

I used to be glued to my phone until I fell asleep and would grab it first thing in the morning. I didn’t realize how detrimental that habit was. Now, I make it a habit to put away all devices before bed, and I don’t touch them for as long as possible in the morning. 

Avoiding devices at the end and beginning of my day allows my mind to shut down properly for sleep, and it lets me take care of myself before the day starts getting hijacked by emails, Slack messages, and notifications. 

Sleeping better and taking care of your personal life will give you way more focus to get stuff done.

I highly recommend pairing this tip with a Remarkable so you can capture any thoughts you might have before your brain gets overwhelmed by digital distractions.

3. Hire an Overseas Assistant

This is one of my favorite productivity hacks that a lot of founders don’t realize is an option for them. For about $10 an hour, you can hire a rockstar overseas assistant to streamline your workflow. They can take on tasks like scheduling, research, and data entry, freeing up your time for bigger priorities. This is even more valuable during fundraising mode, when those tasks can quickly suck up so much of your time.

The leverage an assistant can provide is amazing, and I hope all founders find a way to add one to their team. I’ve worked with a recruiter who has found me some of the best assistants, and it’s been a complete game-changer (email me if you want an intro).

If you’re looking to scale your productivity without breaking the bank, this is one of the best moves you can make.

4. Get a Coach

This one might feel a bit weird at first. But having a coach is honestly no different than hiring a personal trainer. Just like a trainer pushes you to work out and a therapist helps you untangle your thoughts, a coach can guide you through the chaos of running a business and fundraising. They offer an outside perspective, and they hold you accountable to things you might otherwise avoid. It might seem like an expense, but in reality, it’s an investment in yourself and your business.

That’s all for now. Keep trying these hacks out; see what works for you. Being productive, especially when you’re managing a fundraise or scaling a business, is about experimenting and finding what gives you the most leverage. Don’t be afraid to mix and match these strategies to suit your own style. 

Good luck, and let me know if you have any different productivity hacks I should try!

Be chased,
Jason 

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