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It seems that the one thing that technology can’t help us create is more time. There are only 24 hours in a day, so if you want to increase your productivity, you need to have a better sense regarding time management. When it comes to managing your time it is essential to understand that time management isn’t about trying to squeeze as many tasks as possible into a day but instead finding a way to work smarter.
Entrepreneurs are both blessed and cursed. On the one hand, they have more control of when, where, and what kind of work they do. On the other hand, most self-employed business people tend to end up working crazy hours.
If you’re looking to accomplish more, here are some essential time management hacks to help you along the way.
Tackle the Biggest Tasks When You’re Alert
Understanding when you work best is key to completing the big projects on time. No set schedule works for everyone. If you’re a morning person, tackle your big tasks when you first start your day.
Be Willing to Say “No”
Those who are highly successful have to contend with many demands on their time. It is essential that you know what it is you want to achieve and be willing to say “no” to other projects. Working less and achieving more is necessary for a balanced life. If you can’t achieve that balance, then you’ll quickly find yourself overwhelmed and on the verge of burning out. Prioritize your tasks and be willing to pass on other work and projects.
When it comes to prioritizing work tasks, most people attempt to prioritize the items that are on their to-do list. However, many of the things that appear on their lists are ones that shouldn’t be on there. When it comes to time management, your prioritization efforts should start with eliminating tasks that you shouldn’t be performing. When you’ve done this, then you can begin to focus on finishing the most valuable work with the time and resources that are available.
Outsource Where You Can
This doesn’t just apply to work tasks that someone else would be better suited to complete. Think about the 20 percent of routine, but necessary jobs that you have to complete every day and determine if you can outsource them to a freelance or contract worker.
As an entrepreneur, you need to ensure that all the necessary work gets completed. However, that doesn’t mean that you have to be the one to do it. One of the most vital time management skills that you can master is knowing when you’re not the right person to perform the task. If you have a task that is more suited to someone else’s skill set, then you should consider delegating those tasks.
One way to outsource these tasks, is by hiring someone who can offer you online support, a Virtual Assistant.
Give me a call, and find out which tasks I can take off your hands.
Goal Setting
Time management isn’t a standalone skill. While you can’t manage time, you can control how you use your time. When it comes to your productivity, the way you use your time should be directly driven by effective goal-setting. The most fundamental skill when it comes to time management is your ability to use the time you have in a manner that serves your goals.
After you’ve set your goals, keep them in sight at all times. You want to write your goals down and keep them in a place where you will end up seeing them throughout your day. Being able to see your goals throughout the day will give you the motivation to get tasks done that move you closer to accomplishing them.
Focus
Being able to shut everything out and focus on the task at hand is one of those time management skills that you don’t realize the importance of it until you struggle with it. The best way to achieve focus is to stop multitasking and identify the most crucial task and block the rest out.
Get Enough Sleep
Often, our rest and sleep are sacrificed to gain more time in the day. Being well-rested, well-fed, and having a healthy body removes the distractions that will rob us of our time. When you can get enough sleep every night, your focus is sharper, your attention span is longer, and your quality of work is higher, which lends itself to an increase in productivity.
Create Work Bundles
Various tasks that you have to perform require different skills and different ways of executing them. To save yourself time with re-orienting yourself between jobs, create work bundles. Grouping similar tasks together that require related skill sets will allow you to more easily flow from one segment or tasks to the next without a break.
Create Routines
There are some tasks that you work on that require little to no thought. You can create a routine for these kinds of functions that will allow you to accomplish them without becoming distracted from the real tasks at hand. Establishing routines is similar to your overall planning and execution, but with the sole intention of automation.
If you want to get the best results from your work, then you need to improve your time management skills. As you start to improve these, you begin to enjoy a boost in your productivity and get more work done in less time.
While it is impossible to restart your career overnight, taking these time management strategies can significantly improve your productivity.
When it comes to time management, there is always room for improvement. Try to take into account the above tips, and you will find yourself getting more done in less time.
