As the owner of a small business, you’ve probably figured out that time is almost, if not as, valuable as money when it comes to getting things off the ground. As the metaphorical conductor and composer of your business’ daily operations, learning how to manage your time is certainly a skill to be learned. However, once you understood how to balance working hard with working smart, the results will be nothing short of miraculous.
Set a Schedule
With so many things to get done, it’s easy to get off track, especially if you haven’t determined how you’re going to go about finishing everything. Maintaining a schedule that clearly outlines how you’re going to manage your tasks will help increase productivity, set accountability and relieve the stress and anxiety of having too much to do and not enough time to do it.
Focus on One Thing at a Time
In theory, multitasking may seem like an efficient way of getting everything done and maybe even ahead of schedule. In reality, ideas are scattered, and quality of work is affected since you’re not giving each task the full attention it deserves. So, after outlining your schedule, allocate a set amount of time to completing each assignment. Not only will it keep you more organized, but you’ll be able to deliver the quality of work that reflects your capabilities at the highest level without having to wonder if it riddled with careless errors.
Don’t Give One Thing All of Your Focus
While it may seem contradictory to what was mentioned above, it’s important to understand when to focus on something and when to move on. Being a small business owner is all about balance, and this applies to how you spend your time. Dedicating hours to prospecting won’t give you enough time to follow up with existing clients in the same way that managing employees for 8 hours of the day won’t leave you with time to focus on P&L statements. Sure, there will be things that require more attention than others, but understanding how to attend to each of these in a way that promotes balance is a valuable skillset that, once you’re able to hone, will be one of your most valuable assets as a small business owner.
From eliminating things that aren’t demonstrating a return on your time to delegating tasks that you feel could be properly handled by someone else, there are countless ways to improve your proficiency in time management. It’s certainly not a skill to be cultivated overnight, but with self-awareness and intention, you’ll be on your way to perfecting the balancing act that is being a small business owner.
