auto-pilot – Growing Forward

Winsight Episode #32 – Obsessed w/ Efficiency

12/02/201411/04/2014 Scott AsaiLeave a comment

[audio http://traffic.libsyn.com/winsight/32_Winsight_Episode_32_-_Obsessed_w__Efficiency.mp3]

I have a confession. I’m obsessed with efficiency. I’ve always been a planner. I think about time constantly and when it comes to doing anything…I want to know how to do it smarter, not harder. I don’t mind working hard, but if I can figure out a way to do it faster and better I will.

In this episode I’ll share time saving techniques in the following areas:

How your smartphone can put you on auto-pilot
What system is essential to be a master networker
The difference between habits and goals
Why working smarter beats working harder

What do you do efficiently? In what areas can you improve? Share something that saves you time and it might just help someone else!

Winsight Episode 11: DIFM (Do It For Me)

08/12/201407/31/2014 Scott AsaiLeave a comment

life hacks, convenience, auto-pilot, emotional purchase, iphone 5s, there's an app for that

[audio http://traffic.libsyn.com/winsight/11_Winsight_Episode_11_-_DIFM_Do_It_For_Me.mp3]

Ever heard of D-I-Y or Do it Yourself? Well, we’ve almost moved past that to D-I-F-M or Do It For Me. Think about it. Uber and Lyft exist so someone else can drive you to where you need to go. Lexus created an auto-park feature for its car. Subscription boxes are becoming more popular because not only do you get something delivered to you, but most of the time it’s a surprise so you don’t even have to make a decision on what to buy. This sort of “concierge” mentality can be viewed as a bit ridiculous, but what implications does this have for you?

In this episode we will discuss:

How service-based businesses have been forward thinking for a long time

Why living where you do may be the biggest innovative advantage you have

The one thing you must measure before you start any business

The difference between a hobby and business

What type of DIFM ideas do you have? Please share and I’m sure the feedback will help refine it!

How to S.C.A.L.E. your Business

07/04/201407/01/2014 Scott Asai4 Comments

Coming up with a business idea is easy, executing it is hard.

There’s a big difference between “doing what you love” and creating a business that makes money.

Sure, you should choose something you have a vested interest in, but you need a sales/marketing strategy to go along with it before you launch.

For example, I love coaching, but that alone is NOT going to pay the bills. I evaluate different opportunities now based on the income potential. Is my motivation to be filthy rich? No. But I want to provide for my family and have my business ventures support my lifestyle. So here is an acronym to help you judge your next idea against:

Sell your strengths – Do what you know and are great at. Don’t try to do everything well. That only disrupts your focus and dilutes your efforts. Figure out what you’re best at and stick there.

Collaborate – Nothing great is accomplished alone. The bigger the dream, the more help you’ll need. Network like your life depends on it. Offer value to others, but don’t keep “score.” Say yes to most partnerships at first. Learn from others who have done it before.

Automate – Figure out how to get yourself out of your business. That means aim to put it on auto-pilot and let it run itself. Most people’e egos won’t let them NOT micromanage, but if you truly want something to grow, you have to give up full control. It doesn’t mean you won’t be involved, but it does mean you won’t be involved in every little detail anymore. Trust good people and systems to do what you can’t.

Lifestyle – Your business doesn’t need to be your life, unless you want it to be. Have your business support your lifestyle, not the other way around. If you plan that way, you’ll have a life and the time to spend it the way you want. That’s the best part about being a lifestyle entrepreneur: the freedom and flexibility of schedule.

Efficiency – Time is the currency that is given equally to all. Use it wisely. Along with selling your strengths, collaborating and automating you want to spend your time and effort on what gives you the best ROI. Being busy for busy’s sake is just plain dumb. A rocking chair makes a lot of movement, but doesn’t go anywhere. As someone who is obsessed with efficiency, work smarter, not harder.

If you measure your business effort against S.C.A.L.E., you should be able to select a project that is both worthwhile and profitable. I hope this is helpful and I’d love to hear what you’re working on. Please comment below!

Switching to Auto-Pilot

04/08/201404/13/2014 Scott Asai3 Comments

Have you ever driven somewhere so many times that after you’ve reached your destination you completely forgot how you got there?

Believe it or not that happens at work too, BUT it can be a good thing.

Similar to athletes “getting in the zone,” when distraction-free, your mind produces at a phenomenal rate. There are different ways to arrive there, but let me share what’s worked for me the past several years:

Schedule everything into your smartphone with reminder alerts (and I mean EVERYTHING).

There’s a reason why iCalendar has three categories: home, social/out & home. You’re supposed to use them all.

Start with reserving “pockets” of work you need to get done (it doesn’t matter if you work at an office or at home). During that period don’t answer the phone, check emails, play games, etc. (unless that’s you’re actual task)

Next, put down the outings you’re planning on taking: chores, shopping, pick-ups, etc. (basically anything where you have to travel to).

Lastly, what needs or can be done at home? It can range anywhere from washing dishes to calling a friend on the phone.

I know it might sound a bit ridiculous, but here’s the payoff…

If you pre-schedule everything you have to do, you don’t have to remember anything. Even when you get sidetracked, your alerts remind you what to do. I’m obsessed with efficiency so that’s probably why this method works for me, but it really comes in handy when I need to pay a bill online because that’s something I would normally forget to do.

I probably take it too far since I even schedule where we are going to eat and do on vacations, but it actually saves time because decisions are made in advance. Of course there are times when things happen out of your control and you have to adjust, but at least you can re-schedule what you originally planned to do and continue to function on auto-pilot.

Even if you’re a free spirit, creative who hates structure this can work for you (type A’s love it). Running on auto-pilot saves time so you can spend your actual free time on what you please.

Looking for more time-hacking strategies? Check out this month’s free webinars!