Time is one of the most precious resources for entrepreneurs. When you’re juggling multiple responsibilities and wearing many hats, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and lose track of time. Burnout is a real risk. Effective time management is crucial for entrepreneurs to achieve success, so here are some essential time management tips for busy people trying to start a successful business.
Prioritize Your To-Do List
Not everything on your plate is equally urgent or important. Prioritizing tasks will help ensure you’re spending time on high-value activities. Tackle high-priority items first before moving down your list in order.
Use the 80/20 Rule
The 80/20 rule states that 80% of results come from 20% of activities. Identify and focus on the vital 20% tasks that drive the most impact. Say no to time-wasting activities in the less productive 80%. In time, you will get better at saying no, so persevere.
Block Your Calendar
Look at your calendar each morning and block out time for your most important tasks. Schedule appointments with yourself and protect this time. Knowing what you need to accomplish each day allocates focus. Don’t allow other people to muscle in on the time you have allocated for specific tasks. Again, this is where learning to say “no” will pay dividends.
Take Breaks
Our brains are not wired to focus for hours on end. Take regular breaks to recharge. Even a 10-minute walk can boost productivity. Schedule breaks into your calendar to ensure you take time to rejuvenate. If you routinely struggle to maintain focus in the afternoon, a midday exercise break could do the trick. Or, if you are a morning person, start your working day at a time that suits you better rather than trying to accommodate other people all the time.
Delegate Tasks
Entrepreneurs often try to do everything themselves. But leveraging help from others is key. Delegate tasks that don’t require your expertise. Outsource repetitive work like data entry and leave low-value busywork for last or delegate these tasks to someone else. It makes more sense for you to focus on finding new clients than dealing with filing and other admin tasks. If you’re struggling with general, everyday tasks, try looking for a virtual assistant from a service such as ProAssisting. Executive assistants are extremely useful for busy entrepreneurs.
Set Boundaries
Entrepreneurship can easily blur your work-life balance. Set boundaries like not checking your emails after dinner or on weekends. Protect personal time so you don’t burn out, and make time for family and friends, as well as hobbies. All work and no rest is a very bad idea.
Batch Similar Tasks
Group similar tasks together to maximize efficiency. For example, respond to emails at set times rather than in a scattered fashion. Knock out phone calls back-to-back.
Limit Distractions
Email, social media, Slack and notifications sabotage productivity. Turn off notifications and schedule set times to check these tools. Work in offline mode when focus is vital.
Start with the Toughest Tasks
Tackle big, complex projects when your energy and focus are highest. Use mornings for tough work rather than checking easier tasks off your list first.
Track Your Time
Keep track of how you spend your days. Time tracking reveals wasted time and helps refine habits. Seeing how long tasks truly take also improves estimation.
The key to time management for entrepreneurs is ruthlessly prioritizing. Determine your most important goals and align how you spend time with achieving them. Don’t let the urgent crowd out the important. With focus and discipline, entrepreneurs can get a grip on time management, work smarter and build thriving businesses.
