Are you habitually late?

Or are you always a stickler for perfect punctuality? When it comes to running your business well, time management is important.

For some smart ways to make the most of your time, try these helpful tips.

1. Plan your day

Don’t just let you day take you unexpected places. Plan it. 

That doesn’t mean there can’t be room for some spontaneity but by having a plan, you are more likely to achieve the tasks that have to be done, without getting distracted by things that aren’t as important.

Having a plan helps you stay focused and productive and when you have worked your way through each task, you’ll enjoy the added bonus of feeling accomplished.

2. Allocate a set time for each task

Giving each task a time limit helps you work effectively and efficiently. Be realistic. If you know it usually takes you one hour to do one aspect of your work, there is little point in setting yourself 40 minutes. Either you’ll cut corners and produce shoddy work, or you’ll feel stressed and disappointed that you did not complete it – and that doesn’t set you up well for each new task on the list. Use a timer to keep track – and don’t forget to celebrate the tasks you do achieve in the designated time.

3. Let Your Calendar Guide You

Using a calendar is one of the most effective ways to manage your day. If you’re not already using Google Calendar, give it a go. By syncing it to your phone and other devices, you can access your schedule – wherever you are. No more missed meetings or forgotten phone conferences.

4. Learn How To Say ‘No’

Taking on more than you can actually handle doesn’t make you a hero – it usually makes you stressed and it often leads to your clients being let down. If you’re already committed to a deadline, say no to any distractions. Your business will be better because of it.

5. Set reminders

If you’ve got a bill to pay on a certain day, set a reminder the day before. Got a meeting to go to? Set a reminder an hour before, then half and hour – and then 15 minutes (just to make sure you’ve stepped away from your emails and phone calls in time to keep your mind on what’s coming next).

6. Concentrate

Multi-tasking may seem productive but the reality is that many people who do too many things at once don’t do them properly. By concentrating on just one task at a time, you’ll be better at maintaining focus that gets the job done quicker – and better. 

Shut down those tabs on your computer, turn off the radio or TV. By staying focused on what you’re working on, you’ll have more time to zoom through your ‘to-do’ list.

7. Prioritise

Accept that you can’t do everything. You’re human. Now that you recognise that, it’s time to prioritise. Identify what’s most important and let go of the rest for now. You’ll come back to them. Give your attention to where it’s needed most urgently and work through your tasks in order of importance.

8. Outsource

Being a Jill of all trades can mean being a master at none. Delegating tasks to others can be a difficult thing to do but once you get the hang of it, you’ll never look back. Focus on what you do best and outsource some of the other tasks that you don’t enjoy as much, or aren’t as good at. Using a professional bookkeeper to help manage your financial record-keeping, for example, may be a monetary investment but the time it saves you to bumble your way through it can mean you make it back in greater productivity in the areas of your business that actually generate income.

Don’t try to be the expert in everything.

By knowing how to let go – and having a trusted pool of people you can rely on to assist you – you’ll save time and have more energy to create other opportunities to help your business grow. Remember – each one of us has access to the same amount of hours, minutes and seconds in each day. You can’t change that but you can learn how to make the most of the time you do have. With some thoughtful planning, your business will run smoothly and calmly and hopefully give you more time to spend with your family.

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