Guest post by Megan Totka

Professionals often wonder how to save time and money running their business.  They want to trim expenses, and rightfully so.  Business owners also often ask what the must-have tools for small business productivity are on a daily basis. What exactly does a successful workday consist of? We have compiled a list of the top five tools to sharpen your daily routine and want to share them with you:

A Smartphone

In this day and age many people have a full-blown smart phone addiction. People can now use their phone for much more than making calls and sending texts, which explains why nearly half of the adult population owns a smartphone according to reports released by the Pew Internet & American Life Project. Smartphone’s provide us with music, calendars, calculators and instant access to the Web.  They allow us to hammer out emails and utilize social media from any location.  Did we mention the apps and other tools that save time?

A Place to Write Your Ideas

Journals and sheets of paper are great tools as a substitute to tablets and smartphones.  Successful professionals actually say that the crudeness of their pen meeting the paper helps ignite their creative fire and get the juices flowing.  A pen and pencil is so simple and timeless, yet lets people better generate and communicate their business ideas.

Innovative and Perceptive People

To help you become better at what do, you don’t always need material items.  Smart co-workers, assistants and other people in the work setting that help you best do your job are assets to your success.  Surround yourself with people who understand you, and also intelligent colleagues who challenge you.  Make sure your team is fun and high-energy and everyone will benefit.                                           

Motivational Tools

What is it that motivates you?  Pack your workout clothes, grab a cup of coffee or do whatever it is that floats your boat.  While this may seem completely irrelevant to the workday, workout clothes and some caffeine — or anything that makes you feel like a million bucks– should always be a part of your day.  If exercise helps relieve workplace stress (while zapping calories from that morning scone) pack a gym bag and encourage your employees to do the same.  If country music helps elevate your mood after speaking with an angry client, crank up the volume to your favorite song.   Always prioritize things of importance and surround yourself with whatever it is that makes you jive.  Empower employees to do the same and notice the positive attitudes that emerge.

Something Personal

Whether you work at a desk in a brick-and-mortar building or a home office while your kids play on the floor below you, personal touches help make your day complete.  Family photographs or drawings from your kids are personal reminders of the most important people in your lives.

As work becomes more mobile, keep hand-written notes in your wallet.  These can become like a soothing security blanket for adults, especially those who work long hours or travel.  Work isn’t everything.  The most successful people recognize this fact, and keep their perspective intact with personal reminders.

There is no list of tools that fits us all.  Just because something is essential to you doesn’t mean it’s essential to your colleagues.  Make sure that whatever you decide to implement into your workforce that you’re always reinforcing your SMB’s mission, vision, and core values.  Remember, there are several keys that lead to success on the job, so identify what helps you thrive and don’t start your day without it.

What items are essential to help lead you towards professional success?

Megan Totka is the Chief Editor for ChamberofCommerce.com. She specializes on the topic of small business tips and resources. ChamberofCommerce.com helps small businesses grow their business on the web and facilitates connectivity between local businesses and more than 7,000 Chambers of Commerce worldwide.