Time management strategies for the small business owner

Time management is something every small business owner needs to master if they want to successfully grow their business. When you work for yourself you’re in control of your time and what you do within your available time – and often, that’s something a lot of small business owners struggle with. 

So if you’re looking to take control of your time, here are some time management strategies that will help.

Have a morning routine in place 

Whether you’re a work from home mum, a pet owner, single or married person, there will be things that you need to get done in the morning before you start your working day. If you can establish a routine for them, you’ll be able to get them out of the way and have a clear head for when you start work – and that will save you time at the start of each working day.

Batch tasks for better time management

Gathering similar tasks together will help you save time and keep you focused. This will help you save the time it takes to switch between the different types of task and the software or equipment they need. It also helps streamline your workflow.

Get specific with what you need to do 

Instead of planning generic tasks, such as ‘update my website’ or ‘post on social media’ get specific with your tasks. This will help keep you from getting overwhelmed or missing the key part of tasks you need to do – so for the above examples opt for ‘update the header text on my website’ or ‘write a social media post on 3 tips for clearer communication’, instead.

Set a timer 

You’ll be amazed at how much work you can get completed when you’re up against the clock! If working against a timer stresses you out, opt instead to use a stopwatch. This will help you become more focused as you’re more aware of time passing.

Drop the need for perfectionism 

It’s easy to spend too much time on a task, simply because you’re trying to get it perfect. In reality, there’s a good chance you’ve already completed the task well, and that’s all it needed to be finished. Remind yourself that done is better than perfect and there is no such thing as perfection – it’ll do wonders for your time management.

Delegate and outsource 

A lot of the tasks on your to-do list will often be tasks you don’t even need to do yourself. Whether you outsource them to a Virtual Assistant or a family member, start using the help that’s available to you, to help free up your time a little more. (And remember, I’m here to help – just get in touch!)

Have a top three list 

These are the top three things you absolutely must get finished today. As long as you complete them, everything else is just bonus achievements. The key here is to focus on those top three things first.

Many small business owners struggle with time management, but you don’t have to be one of them. By using the time management strategies above, you’ll be able to effectively manage your time and get more done, helping you to stay focused and moving your business in the right direction. 

And if you’re looking for help with some of those tasks on your to-do list, why not get in touch? Let’s have a chat and see how easy it can be for you to delegate some of your tasks to a Virtual Assistant. Delegation is a great time management strategy that helps you free up your time and grow your business faster.

Image courtesy of KostyaKlimenko/DepositPhotos.com