As a busy and multifaceted entrepreneur, you know your time is precious. To make every moment count, it’s critical to maximize your efforts wherever possible whether you’re balancing your books, ushering in new clients, mingling with your team, or dreaming up the next big thing. That’s why we gathered these eight easy-to-follow tips for entrepreneurs looking to master the art of time management. From setting realistic goals to delegating with ease – these strategies will help you master time management while growing your personal brand.
Make daily and weekly priority lists
When you feel like there’s more to do in a day than you have time for – it’s time to prioritize. On Sunday (or the day before your week begins) sit down and make a list of what you’d like to get done over the next week. Then, use a whiteboard or fresh sheet of paper to prioritize these tasks from most to least important. Finally, break these priorities down into tasks and make due dates for when you’d like them to be finished. This will keep you on track and ensure the most important items are finished before you begin a new task.
Set measurable goals
A top reason many people do not achieve their goals is they are too vague or there's no easy way to follow up with them. That’s why it’s important to create measurable goals you can track. One way to do this is through SMART goals. A SMART goal is: Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant, and Timely. When creating goals, set up a schedule to track these goals over a period of time using the SMART method. Here’s an example of a SMART goal:
I will land three new clients in the month of March by boosting my ad spending and highlighting my organic content marketing.
Delegate, delegate, delegate!
As an entrepreneur, your business is essentially your baby. You’ve created it, raised it, and are even a little afraid to release it into the wild once it’s all “grown up”. This is where many entrepreneurs make the mistake of not delegating tasks to their teams. While it can feel scary to let go of administrative tasks or give your team access to your books, it’s necessary to trust the team you’ve built so your business can grow.
Don’t have an in-house team? Start outsourcing. Many reputable financial advisors, CPAs, content curators, etc. can take a few things off your plate and return that time to tasks that matter to you as the CEO.
Utilize time-blocking techniques
The easiest way to manage your time for free is to use the timer on your phone. Set a timer for 30 minutes and do nothing but work on a specific task (try not to bounce around tasks as this can knock you off track). Once the timer goes off set another timer for 10 minutes to do anything you want like tend to personal tasks. You can even reward yourself with a little treat such as another cup of tea or a chapter of your favorite book. Setting a timer can keep you on track to meeting your goals and priorities for the day, especially when you know a reward is waiting for you at the end of your timer.
Wake up earlier
Waking up even an hour earlier creates a new tone for the rest of your day. If you wake up at 9 am and immediately begin working, try waking up at 8 am to develop a morning routine, take a walk, or simply make your favorite beverage and sit with yourself before beginning your day. Time with yourself first thing in the morning will keep you from starting your workday stressed and boost your creative flow.
Staying on top of the day-to-day tasks as an entrepreneur can be tricky, but with a bit of organization and time management tricks, it's possible to keep yourself and your business organized. At the end of the day, don’t forget to reward yourself for all of your accomplishments both big and small. Remember, the goal is to create a working environment geared toward success! Take breaks throughout the day, practice saying “no” if something isn't a priority, and set goals so you know what needs to be accomplished by certain times within the day.
How do you keep yourself on track in the day-to-day? Let us know!
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