As an entrepreneur, you are probably always on the lookout for productivity tips. Our days go by fast and we have complete control to be productive or to just go for a run on the hamster wheel. It may not always feel like you have a choice, but you can set out to take back as much control as you need to make each day a great day that continues to move your business forward. Here are 7 productivity tips:

1. Start your day knowing what the most important things are that need to be accomplished: Only about 30% of people set a daily schedule. And of those 30% only 7% actually follow that plan. If you want to be effective, you need to be able to not only plan but to follow your plan. Start each day knowing exactly what tasks you must complete. Know your priorities and stick with them.

2. Don't set unrealistic expectations: If you start your day with a long tasks list and over-commit yourself, you will find you are always going two or even three steps back before moving forward. Set 4 bite-size goals each day and do those before you do anything else. It is better to do more then you planned instead of missing your targets.

3. Chunk down your projects to no more then 90 minute time blocks: The bite-size pieces I am talking about need to take less then 90 minutes each. If it is a bigger project, then you need to break it down to smaller time blocks. 30-90 minutes per task for your top 4 priorities is perfect. This will allow you to make great progress each day before your lunch break.

4. Make an accountability system for yourself: If you find it difficult to do a few particular tasks and find you always seem to run out of time (which really means you did not make time), then an accountability partner can really help you. Call a friend or colleague and tell them what you will have done by the end of the day and then follow up with them to let them know how you did. (you can just as easily do this by email as well)

5. Don't start a new project until you complete the first priority (or time block): Write down 4 priority tasks for yourself each day. Stay focused and stick with your list, completing each item before beginning another project.

Distractions come in many different disguises and there will always be something to take you off task and away from your plan. Stay strong and mark each of those 4 activities off your list before you do anything else!!

6. Don't do any unplanned activity until your priority list is complete: You could be in the middle of an important task when you suddenly remember a phone call you haven't returned, or you think about that blog post you meant to write early this morning. Take note of these unplanned activities and you can get to them after you complete your most pressing tasks for the day. Put your phone on Do-Not-Disturb and turn off the email alerts on your computer so you can maintain your focus.

7. Reserve one day each week to work ON your business, not IN it - forego the appointments with clients: One last idea is to set aside a minimum of 1 day a week when you don't take calls or work with clients. This is a work day, not a weekend. Use this day to organize your projects, set goals and set your schedule. Fit new ideas and innovation into your business. Catch up on your administrative work so that on your high priority days you are not overwhelmed with the tiny details that keep your business moving forward.

Until you are happy with your level of productivity, you'll want to experiment with the productivity tips that work best for you. Design your schedule to give yourself a sense of fulfillment at the end of the day, and the satisfaction of knowing you are moving your business forward EVERY day.

What 4 things can you do today to be sure the the day's end, you can feel satisfied you've had a highly productive day?

The author Helen Raptoplous runs http://www.ActionHabits.com where you can get a 20 minute reply of a webinar called "Keep moving forward", a free report of '200+ Action Habits of successful entrepreneurs' and also a '7 day simple start' action plan to take action now!