You’re a busy person, but there are only so many hours in a day, so it can be difficult to get on top of every task that befits your duties. Short of freezing time or working long hours into the night to get everything done, there are other, more practical ways to help you manage the time you have efficiently.
Don’t take on more work than you can handle
While you don’t want to let clients down, sometimes it is wiser to say no rather than accepting everything that comes your way. While you may lose money by rejecting some proposals, you will have more time to spend on the projects you have taken on. Quality is key, and if you are forced to rush your client’s work to get through your workload, then you will hinder your reputation, and lose clients when they see your work isn’t up to par.
Outsource elements of your workload to others
Free up your day by handing some of your daily tasks to others. To help you with your marketing, outsource to a marketing and SEO agency to handle this key part of your business. To manage your calls, you could hire more staff or a PA, but you might also outsource to something akin to this answering service for doctors. If you are getting in a bind with your accounts, invoices, etc., then outsource this area to an accountant. Especially when you don’t have the money to take on extra staff, or you don’t have the necessary skills in certain areas, outsourcing is a worthy investment.
Utilize software tools and apps
There is a range of programs at your disposal, for whatever needs have during the day. From apps to manage your accounting programs, to software to manage your productivity, you will find something to help you stay on top of your busy schedule. And in many ways, utilizing technology is cheaper than hiring extra staff or outsourcing to other companies. Some tools are free, but even if you do have to pay at the outset, once downloaded, unless they are subscription-based, they are yours to keep forever.
Cut out distractions
The reason why you don’t get enough done in the day is because of the distractions around you. From having one too many drink breaks to checking your Facebook for non-business reasons, you are limiting the time you have to get work done. You need a lot of willpower to resist the temptation of some distractions, eliminate those that do get in the way. And you can take practical steps too, such as having a stash of water bottles at hand to cut down on break times and installing an internet blocker to steer you away from non-essential websites.
Disconnect when you need to focus
When you need to concentrate on a project, or you are preparing for something that is time-intensive, you should disconnect from anything that is going to get in the way. Disconnect from your devices, by closing down internet pages and rerouting your phone calls to voicemail. Disconnect from people by hanging a ‘busy’ sign on your door. And disconnect yourself from the distractions that we mentioned previously. To get work done, you need to find room to focus with nothing getting in the way to slow you down.
By following these simple tips, you should be more productive during the day. And not only will you free up your time at work, but you may have more time to spend at home too, without the pressures of work getting in the way of your downtime. Job done!
Feature image (source)
