Because we're all about reducing the friction for idea execution here at 99U, we were particularly interested in the tips from entrepreneurs about how they handle the tasks we all tend to put off.We shortlisted some of our "favorite" pain points, and paired them with great insights from IYB:

Disagreements With Your Team

Create a disagreement protocol (Tip #60) - Fighting can be good for the creative process, but left unchecked it creates an atmosphere of resentment. To avoid this, create a "disagreement protocol" that spells out what your team should do if they can't agree on something. This minimizes gossip and keeps everyone on the same page. From Ramberg: Here's Michael Bosma's policy [Founder of the Bosma Group] If someone is on a rant about someone else, they should speak about the problem directly with that person. If someone complains to Michael, the first thing he does is ask if they addressed it directly. This immediately ends the gossip.  New members to Michael's team tell him it's the most positive work environment they have encountered

Stuck in a Rut

Swap jobs (Tip #49) - When your team feels stagnant, temporarily switch roles. This can be especially effective at the senior level. Open up your brainstorming meetings (Tip #25)- Occasionally invite folks from other departments and require that they contribute at your brainstorming meetings. The tech folks may have a new approach to marketing and vice-versa. In case of larger emergencies, invite your entire staff and pitch the problem you are facing. Get fresh ideas from your team's brainstorming meeting (Tip #14) - Before the meeting, email your team the brainstorming topic and require that everyone bring ideas, no matter how unfinished. Then, at the meeting, go around the room one-by-one. This gives the more introverted staff members a chance to participate. "As is the nature of brainstorming meetings, these good ideas will then spark the group to generate even better ideas," writes Ramberg.

Networking

Get past the corporate gatekeeper (Tip #86) - Email important contacts before or after hours to avoid being intercepted by assistants. Many executives work late, long after their assistant goes home for the day. Call all leads within 15 minutes (Tip #90) - In your case it may not be a "lead" or even 15 minutes, but contact people as quickly as possible after they show interest in you or your company. The chance they will change their mind decreases the less time you waste, and you'll impress with your responsiveness. Be the first one at every event (Tip #147) - Arriving to a new event alone after everyone has already grouped off can be awkward. It's much easier to socialize earlier on, as people are more likely to be by themselves. Alternatively, notify the organization that planned the event that you are new and ask to be introduced to a few folks during a tour.

Marketing Yourself

Be ready with photos on your phone (Tip #12) - You never know when you'll be in a position to explain more about your work. Save photos and presentation files on your phone to help supplement any impromptu elevator pitches. Create a personal story to connect with customers (Tip #136) - Especially for small businesses, the people you interact with will be curious about your story. As a bonus, by telling your story you can ensure you'll be memorable. Have your photo taken (Tip #134) - Spend the money to have a professional headshot taken. You'll be ready when you speak at conferences or are covered by a media outlet that doesn't send their own photographer, which is increasingly common.

Other Unpleasant Tasks

Knock off unpleasant tasks first thing in the morning (Tip #42) - For everything else, just make sure you handle it as early in the day as possible. From Ramberg: I pressed "snooze" about ten times on my Outlook-calendar reminder that I had to "Call landlord to discuss my office lease." ... I found fifty-five reasons why it was a very important to clean my desk or decorate the office... When I finally did call the landlord everything worked out and I wished that I had done it earlier so it had not being weighing on my mind all day. -- What About You? What are your most unpleasant daily tasks? How do you tackle them?