If you’re anything like the rest of us, you probably start each week with the best of intentions, only for your to-do list to mushroom out of control by Wednesday. Planning and feeling overwhelmed can, unfortunately, go hand in hand. Russell Cummings is a highly acclaimed business management consultant and coach and author of over 27 business books, bringing nearly four decades of unmatched expertise to the field. He shares practical strategies that make it easier to work smarter—not harder—so you get more done, achieve better results, and can even enjoy the process along the way.

Break your Annual Goals down for 90-Day Focus

Why wait a whole year to review progress (or fall behind)? Russell’s advice is a breath of fresh air: break your annual plans for nimble 90-day business and leadership projects. He’s found, and research supports, that clients with a 90-day plan regularly outperform those sticking to annual schedules. It’s about creating momentum and staying flexible – giving yourself a genuine shot at acting on your strategy before circumstances change and enthusiasm fades away.​

Break It Down – Cascade Your Actions

It’s all well and good having a bold 90-day plan – but the magic happens when you cascade this strategy down into monthly, weekly, and daily actions. Russell explains the difference between being busy and being productive: too many people focus on activity, not outcomes. That’s how we end up at the end of a busy day feeling like we’ve achieved nothing at all.​

Try this approach:

• Each day, identify just 3 or 4 must-do tasks. Yes, that’s it!
• The rest – the “should-do” and “could-do” tasks – can wait, be delegated, or dropped. Ruthlessly prioritise what will move your business and life forward.

This must-do model is the single biggest productivity breakthrough for most clients.​

Reflect and Reset – Consistently

Russell also believes in routine reflection – daily, weekly, and quarterly. Ask yourself:

• What worked?
• What didn’t?
• What needs to change?

He swears by journalling, whether that’s on paper, in his special 90-day planner, or on a digital tablet. This habit gets ideas, plans, and worries out of your head and frees up mental space for what matters. The process of writing things down also boosts your chances of actually doing them – and there’s something incredibly satisfying about ticking off those must-do items.​

Practical Tools and Tips

• Time blocking: Set aside dedicated slots in your calendar for your top priorities. Treat these blocks as sacred – no interruptions.
• The Pomodoro Technique: Work in focused 25-minute bursts, with short breaks in between, to maintain concentration and motivation.
• Guard your communication: Don’t let emails and meetings dictate your day. Start with your priorities, not your inbox.
• Leverage tech: Use tools like Asana or Trello to keep your planning system smooth and your team on track – but remember, the system only works if you stick to it.​

Final Thoughts

You don’t need more hours in the day, just more focus and better systems. Adopting 90-day planning, ruthlessly prioritising your day, and reflecting regularly won’t just make you more productive – it’ll free up time for the fun stuff too, whether that’s motorbike riding, creative hobbies, or just spending time at the beach.  

🌟 Business Networking Breakfast with Russell Cummings

How to Go from 70 to 30 Hours a Week and Double Your Income
(Without Raising Prices or Using AI)

Join us for an inspiring morning of insights, connections, and practical takeaways with one of Australia’s most experienced business strategists and advisors. With over 40 years of experience, Russell Cummings has guided family-owned and growing businesses to sustainable success. You’ll learn his proven approach to achieving more by doing less—without sacrificing profit or purpose.

What You’ll Gain:

• Work fewer hours while boosting your bottom line
• Replace busyness with genuine productivity
• Build the focus, discipline, and systems needed for lasting growth
• Reclaim your time and create a business that truly works for you

Event Details:

Date: Wednesday 12 November 2025
Time: 6:45am – 8:15am
Venue: Samford Community Hub, 2204 Mount Samson Rd, Samford QLD 4520
Tickets: $25

Spaces are limited—secure your spot today!
👉 Book at www.samfordchamber.com

Don’t miss this opportunity to network, learn, and discover how you can build a business that delivers both profit and freedom. Book now and take the first step towards a more productive, rewarding business future.

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Please also note that many of the comments in this publication are general in nature and anyone intending to apply the information to practical circumstances should seek professional advice to independently verify their interpretation and the information’s applicability to their particular circumstances. Should you have any further questions, please get in touch with us for assistance with your SMSF, business, bookkeeping and tax requirements. All rights reserved. Based on content from Mindshop, a trusted resource for business advisors worldwide. Liability Limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.