How to Prioritize in Business to Save Time and Sanity?
- Brainz Magazine
- Oct 8, 2020
- 3 min read
Written by: Agnese Rudzate, 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.
Lack of time is a common issue amongst many business owners, but it doesn’t mean that it should be assumed as a norm. We all have 24 hours per day, so how come some people are able to achieve that much more while others struggle to finish the basic assignments? The answer is prioritization. Before digging deeper into actual steps to take, let’s establish something from the very beginning:
Not everything is important. It might be hard to grasp, but to immerse yourself into this mindset is crucial for your time, freedom, and sanity.
Yes, your business can’t run smoothly without all the admin tasks being completed.
Yes, your business needs to be visible for it to get recognized.
Yes, your business has to follow up and keep in touch with potential clients.
But there is a time and place for everything.
Since YOU are your business, without you, there is no business. Keep that in mind. By constantly overwhelming yourself with endless tasks, taking time away from your sleep to finish tasks, not taking care of your body, your mind will not be able to function and the quality of your service will drop. This is what we don't want, right?
If you're constantly overwhelmed by your to-do list, feel like there is too much on your plate and simply not enough time in a day to complete what you have set yourself up to, this list will help you prioritize for well deserved time, freedom, and ease in your business.
1. Value in business. We have tasks that don't add value to our income, but someone has to do them. You can't skip ordering office stationery, because, without a pen, you can't write things down. But does this specific task add value to your business? No! This means that this task is not your priority. Looking further, it can be delegated or even automated - schedule orders every month never to lack pens :) So which tasks bring the most value to your business? Which tasks create income? By answering these questions you should be able to have a good chunk of activities taken off your to-do list.
2. Urgent vs. Important. Tasks that are Urgent and Important should be dealt with first, especially if you need tomato a deadline. The rest can wait. Take your priorities list from step one and establish what needs to be done right now and what is important to prioritize after your urgent task. This means that you will have to schedule your important but not urgent activities - they are still as important to your business as the urgent ones. To manage your time more effectively, follow this scheme and you will never feel overwhelmed again.
3. 3-Question strategy. I use this strategy all the time and can confidently say that it is a highly effective way to effortlessly fast put things into perspective. Watch this 5 min video to prioritize with ease.
At times of uncertainty, everything might seem like a priority to stay afloat. The urgency of wanting to be informed, in the loop, and updated puts unnecessary pressure. The good news is that we are in control. We have the power to choose priorities, urgencies, and everything above and beyond in our business.
If you still feel stuck, uncertain about your priorities in business after reading this, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to organize a free call to discuss strategy and ease you out of overwhelming.
Here’s to effective prioritizing for time freedom and sanity!
Agnese Rudzate, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Agnese Rudzate is a Business Productivity Coach and Time-management expert with a professional background in Quality Management and Empowerment Coaching. She has turned her lifelong passion for organizing into her mission, helping women gain the confidence, clarity, and time freedom they deserve by providing action steps, tools, and customized strategies. Agnese is a firm believer that anyone can achieve business or personal goals through a deeply focused effort, which is based on her coaching. Through structure, systems, and processes that bring results, Agnese teaches her clients to manage their business with ease, create time freedom, and scale in profits.
