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Running a business can be very overwhelming at times. You may feel like there are simply not enough hours in the day. One of the most important things in business is managing your time. That may seem obvious, however many people waste time without even realising it. We’ve compiled a list of things we feel are often overlooked but when taken into consideration can really help maximise your time.
Make sleep a priority – Getting plenty of sleep helps with energy levels and means you can function much better when awake, therefore making the most of your time.
Have a plan for the day – Work out what you want to achieve (make sure it’s realistic) with your day. Maybe make a list of what you would like to get done and work your way through it. This will help you keep a clear mind and enable you to focus on achieving your end goal.
Don’t stay on your e-mail – Set time aside to go through your emails but don’t stay on the page all day. Filtering through on regular intervals will distract you from the task in hand.
Talk to people – Sometimes a quick email is best, however if you need to explain something in more detail it’s generally best to talk with the recipient directly. It’s much quicker and easier to explain some things in person.
Learn to say no – When you’re up against the clock and someone asks you take something on you cannot fit in, it’s important to say no and stick to it. Saying yes when the time is not there will only cause unnecessary stress.
Stop multi-tasking – When trying to multi-task it’s easy to forget where you are with things, therefore you waste time trying to remember where you were and risk forgetting about things altogether. It’s best to set your mind on one task at a time (known as chunking) and get it done.
Step away from the Internet – It may seem obvious but try not to browse the internet unless necessary for the task in hand. It’s a huge waste of time and you will only be left worrying about how you’re going to get the work done.
Have some fun with your work – It’s always good to find some joy in what you’re doing and make sure there are some breaks in there too. An old cliché but a happy worker is a productive worker.
Stop owning other people’s tasks – It’s so easy to get caught up in what someone else is doing. If someone asks for your help, try and provide them with relevant alternatives and solutions but don’t take the task on. This will only waste your time and theirs.
Let go and delegate – Another one that may sound obvious but many people don’t do. If you take a little time to think about the tasks others can take off your hands, you stand to save a lot of time. Trying to do everything yourself is time consuming and stressful.
Although there are many ways to save time and make a day more productive, sometimes you can still feel stretched. At MOMENTUM we understand how valuable your time is, so should you find yourself in this position we’d love to help with our Admin and PA services.