How Small Business Owners Can Save Time to be More Productive
There are only a certain number of hours in each day, and if you’re a small business owner, you might feel like that’s truer of you than anyone. While you can’t borrow time or save it for later, you can decide how to spend it. Good time management skills are important for every small business owner. Remember, it’s not about squeezing in every task you can. Instead, it’s about getting things done faster by simplifying your work.
Organize Your Day Around Your Energy Levels
Think about when you’re most productive and do your more draining work at this time. Do lower energy tasks, like responding to emails, between your peak energy hours. For instance, if you’re a morning person, consider setting your alarm a bit earlier and doing your most critical work then. If you feel sleepier in the afternoon, it’s a great time to clean out your inbox, organize your desk, or work on spreadsheets. Some people also find that they are more productive on certain days of the week, so pay attention to your average energy levels. Keep track of this in a spreadsheet until you find when you are the most productive.
If you have a chronic health condition, you might feel that your energy comes and goes. Many people use medical marijuana to try to manage their pain or other symptoms. They often micro-dose throughout the day to give them a boost of energy. In Ohio, it’s quick and easy for busy professionals to get medical marijuana cards online. Then you can boost your energy to get through the day.
Plan Out Your Day Ahead of Time
Spend a few minutes before bed each night writing a to-do list. That should be things that help you move toward your professional and personal goals. You’ll be better prepared for the challenges the next day. Plus, a lot of people find they sleep better when they’re mentally prepared and don’t have to spend time thinking about the amount of work they have the next day. When you get up, there won’t be room to procrastinate, and you might find yourself working smoother and faster than before. By making planning part of your nightly routine, you can save yourself worries and time so you can get straight to work. That’s especially helpful if you’re naturally the most productive in the morning.
Get the Most Important Things Done First
Find the most important task of the day and get that done first. This should be what has the biggest impact on your work. That will give you a sense of accomplishment early on, which can motivate you to get your other tasks done. Even if it’s not lunchtime yet, your day has already been successful. To find the most important task, don’t waste time on things that aren’t important. Look at your to-do list and decide which one task will get you the closest to your goals and help you make meaningful progress. In some cases, there might be a couple of tasks. Don’t go for the easiest ones first.
