Written by: Janifer Wheeler, Senior Level Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Time is a rare and valuable resource, especially if you are a small company owner who feels there are always too many things to do.
Not only are you a business owner, but you are also the CEO, HR Dept, Receptionist, Accountant, Social Media Manager, Content Creator, Administrative Assistant …. the list goes on. It is a daunting task to juggle all of these roles and responsibilities, but it is possible to successfully manage your time with the right tools and strategies in place.
How can you better schedule your days as a small business owner?
The short answer: prioritizing.
Prioritize the most important tasks and make sure they are completed each day.
But how do you determine which tasks to prioritize?
There are a few key steps you can take:
1. Clearly defined written goals
Without specific and measurable goals, it is difficult to determine what is important and what should be focused on. Have a goal for each quarter and break them down into weeks.
2. Detailed list of tasks
This will help you to see all the roles and responsibilities you are juggling and determine what can be delegated or automated.
3. Prioritization of the tasks
You need to order the tasks according to importance, urgency, and feasibility.
4. List of important ongoing business functions
This will help you to see what areas of your business need the most attention and where you may be able to delegate or outsource some tasks. Also, it will help you identify when to say NO.
5. Built-in flexibility
As a small business owner, you need to be prepared for things to change and be flexible with your time management strategy.
Most business owners make the mistake of assuming that they will succeed once they have more money and resources. However, one of the fastest ways to grow is by becoming more efficient with how you invest your time.
6 Time Management Strategies for Small Business Owners
Time management is essential for small business owners. The more efficient you are with your time, the more things you can accomplish, and, therefore, the more successful your business will be.
Now let’s take a look at six tips that will help you get the most out of your day:
1. Separate your tasks by monthly, weekly, and daily goals
Trying to accomplish everything at once is a recipe for disaster. It’s important to break your goals down into manageable tasks and timeframes. Create a list of all the things you need to do in a month, a week, and a day, and then prioritize them according to importance.
2. Time Block
Time blocking is dedicating a specific block of time to a specific task. For example, you may want to set aside an hour each day to work on your social media accounts. This might assist you in keeping your attention and avoiding distractions. Continuity is a crucial aspect of success. Every Wednesday, for example, set aside a certain amount of time to make new videos. The goal is to establish routines that will become habits.
3. Prepare your energy budget
Not all tasks require the same amount of energy. Some tasks can be done while you’re tired, others require more energy. It’s critical to plan your energy throughout the day so you can focus on activities that need more attention. Keep an eye on your schedule. If you know a meeting will take up a lot of your energy, block off some time for something enjoyable instead of trying to cram the day.
4. Delegate what doesn’t bring you joy
Not everything on your list of tasks needs to be done by you. Delegate tasks that don’t bring you joy or that someone else can do better than you. This will free up your time to focus on the things that only YOU can do.
5. Do more of what brings you joy and fulfillment
This may seem like common sense, but it’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day tasks and forget to do the things that bring you joy. NOTE: JOY is not the same as happiness. Happiness is temporary and depends on external factors but JOY is YOURS and lasts much longer.
6. Redesign the tasks you don’t enjoy or that you typically put off
If there are tasks on your list that you don’t enjoy, but only you can do them, find a way to make them more joyful. Procrastinating is not the answer! Redesign the task by creating a Rituals and Rewards system such as meditating BEFORE you work, listening to music WHILE you work, and taking a walk when the task is complete. This will make the task more bearable and you’ll be able to get it done more quickly and efficiently.
In closing
Time management is essential for small business owners. The more efficient you are with your time, the more things you can accomplish, and, therefore, the more successful your business will be. In this article, we looked at six-time management strategies that will help you get the most out of your day. Our goal is to bring you resources so that you can manage your time more efficiently and increase your productivity.
Consider our latest self-paced micro-course: Joy Money Mastery. 30 Days to Delegation.
Janifer Wheeler, Senior Level Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Janifer Wheeler is a former teacher turned entrepreneur. She’s spent over 25 years helping schools & small businesses get their shift together through process design, internal structure, education, and workplace culture.
She started The JOYFull BadAss Business Academy™, to help other BadAss female biz owners win the burnout battle using JOY as a business strategy. Her work-at-your own pace courses are delivered via MicroText making it easier to integrate into your daily routine.
Her clients have gotten trapped by their own brilliance and believe the hype that you must hustle & grind or you will never be successful. No one at the JFBBA believes that BS. If it’s not JOYFull, they aren’t doing it.
As an advocate for JOYFull alignment, she facilitates a process that ensures you are working in your JoyFull Zone of Genius more than you aren’t. And for the rest of the shift that needs to be done, hand it over to staff or an assistant.
It sounds scary ‒ giving other people control, but the JOYFull BadAss has your back. She will help you create the process, structure, and workplace culture you need to effectively and efficiently build a team that will help you avoid business owner burnout and realize the goals & dreams you set for yourself.
Janifer is an award-winning, international speaker and facilitator who can infuse your organization, conference, workshop, or event with joy and BadAssery.
She enjoys connecting people through her global networks that include Netwomen.co, Mums at Work, Amazing Women Alliance, The JOYFull Badass Network, Polka Dot Powerhouse, Brainz Magazine, FEM, and Entrepreneurs Rocket Fuel. There’s no limit to what can be done when we lift each other up.
