As small business owners, we wear so many hats, from Sales to HR to Marketing Manager and everything in between. With so much on our plate, it can be really easy to feel overwhelmed and struggle with our day-to-day responsibilities.
But don’t worry – I’ve got you covered! With a few of my simple strategies, you can boost your productivity, save time and keep your pesky to-do list under control.
Here are my top nine tips to help you wrangle your time and get stuff done:
1. Know Your Priorities
Before you start work for the day, make sure you know your most important tasks and get them prioritised. This will help you stay focused and stop you from getting bogged down by less important stuff. Keep a to-do list and tick things off as you complete them. Your to-do list can be online or with good old-fashioned pen and paper [I use a mix of both].
2. Use a Calendar
Whether it’s a hard copy planner or an app on your phone, use a calendar to stay organised and make sure you never miss an appointment. You can also time-block important tasks to get a better idea of how your day is looking.
3. Use A Time-Tracking Tool
Apps like Toggl [my favourite] can help you see where you’re spending your time. Doing this will make you more aware of where your minutes go every day. But even more importantly, tracking your time allows you to identify what is misusing, or wasting your time; once you know that, you can make changes to reduce it in future.
4. Avoid Distractions
Silence your phone, close all unnecessary tabs on your laptop, close your email and tell people not to disturb you or go to a meeting room.
5. Take Regular Breaks
Taking regular breaks throughout the day will boost your productivity. You’ll be much more productive when your mind is fresh. Take the puppies for a walk, stop for lunch or try to take some time out for exercise.
6. Use Productivity Tools
There are so many apps and programs available that can help you save time and stay organised. From project management software to social media scheduling tools. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new programs to find the ones that work best for you [most give you a free trial period]. I use Asana for project management and daily to-dos and RecurPost for social media scheduling.
7. Plan Plan Plan
One of the things I do without fail every afternoon is write my to-do list for the following day. That way I have everything organised before I finish for the day, and it allows me to go into my evening with a clear head. You can do this in a diary or on a piece of paper, or if you’re serious about managing your time, try using a task management system like Asana.
8. Set Boundaries
As a small business owner, it’s easy to work around the clock and end up with no personal life. But taking time for yourself is so important to keep your head in the game. Set boundaries for when you will and won’t work and try to stick to them as much as you can. You’ll thank yourself later.
9. Be Flexible
No matter how well you plan, stuff happens! Try to be flexible and willing to adjust your plans if you need to. It’ll help you keep a positive mindset and allow you to get back on track with your day quickly.
I hope you found these tips helpful. I know how hard it can be to stay on top of everything when you’re running your own business, but I hope these can help you wrangle your time and get stuff done.
Remember, the most important thing is to find what works for you and your business. Experiment with different strategies and find what helps you be the most productive. And don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. There are plenty of resources available to small business owners, so don’t be afraid to reach out.
Marie Robertson-King
After decades working in mining, aviation and oil & gas, Marie founded Empress of Order, a virtual assistant service, in 2018 and quickly became fully booked. With a background in operations and safety, focussing on processes, systems and procedures, Marie now supports busy business owners and helps them bring order to their lives!
She’s certified by the VA Institute and was named in the Inside Small Business Top 50 Business Leaders in 2020. Marie facilitates a coworking day each month in her hometown of Perth, where business owners get together to work and build connections. This year Marie expanded her empire with the purchase of The Digital Mums Directory, an online membership and directory for female digital experts in Australia, with a biz friend. She lives in the beautiful Perth Hills with her husband Simon and fur-baby Jasper. She can’t function without her morning coffee and loves a glass of bubbles or a cocktail in the evening.
