Time Saving Tips For The Savvy Small Business Owner
Anyone running a small business knows that often a lack of time is on your list of struggles. Making excellent use of your time will keep your business running at a steady pace. Staying organized and understanding where your time is best spent without spreading yourself too thin is something that most business owners and myself are on a quest to discover.
Whether you run a business out of your garage or have an office with a team, time management needs to be prioritized.
Time-Saving Tips We Focused On This Year
Make a Schedule
When you have meetings, daily tasks, bills, admin work, it all needs to be tracked on a schedule and/or a project management software. Make a schedule and stick to it if you can, but know and accept your day likely will not go how you originally planned, and that is okay!
This year my team and I have tried multiple time management practices such as schedule blocking and even setting a timer for 20 minute increments and commenting on those 20 minutes of work time. Some loved the timer practice and continue to set a timer for projects, including myself. The best part we found out about that is that you often keep going until the task is finished once your timer is going and you're at 20 minutes.
Prioritize
When you are making your schedule, make sure the most important things get done first. The meeting with your supplier or the new client needs to be put on the top of your list.
Wasting too much time on something that isn't very important takes too much time away from doing things. Sticking to your schedule means knowing where to spend your time.
Delegate Duties
It can be difficult for many people to let go of specific responsibilities. But you don't need to wear all the hats. Train someone to do the tasks you don't need to waste time on and let them do it.
You can hire someone, get an intern who needs course credits, or use a service. Virtual offices can answer calls, do your filing and paperwork, and even collect your mail and packages.
You can get a virtual assistant who works from home, as well. These are often people, just like you, who are running a small business themselves, even if this is to take control of all your emails, which eat up a great deal of your time.
Organize Your Space
Keep your workspace neat, so you know where everything is. Wasting time searching for things takes time away from things that matter. It can also cause you a lot of stress you don't need.
Even if a good deal of your time is spent in your car, keep everything organized. Don't pile up a stack of files with the wrappers from your lunch, your headphones, or other clutter.
Cut The Time-Wasters
Start keeping track of all the things that cut into your time and either delegate them or eliminate them—wasting time on meetings that you don't need to, emails, paperwork, and even procrastination.
When you spend too much time on things you don't need to, it takes time away from the more essential things and adds stress to your life. These things can be handled by someone else or cut altogether.
If you can schedule smaller meetings on the phone or via video conferencing, then do that. You don't need to commute, and you can get more done and see more people without ever leaving your office.
Take Time to Rest
You don't need to go at it around the clock. Make sure you take time to rest and refocus. You can take a few days off during the week, take breaks during the day, close your door for a block of time, and enjoy a lunch out with a friend or family member.
You are no more useful to anyone or your business if you are trying to do all the jobs yourself. You will find you end up not doing any of them very well, at all.
