It is common to have moments of procrastination and motivation lapses from time to time, but it is important to employ tactics that will help you get back into your groove as small business owners need to constantly get things done.
Here are some of the strategies that I use to maximise my efficiency which may also help you get more done in less time:
Time-blocking: I am a big believer in completing tasks in blocks of time. It is very effective and efficient as it minimises the amount of valuable time that is wasted jumping between tasks. Spending the day constantly jumping randomly from one task to another, may feel like you are getting things done, but you are actually doing the opposite - completing less tasks and being unproductive with your time.
The everyday repetitive tasks like answering emails, calling customers, can be done in
time blocks specifically set aside for that task. Answering emails as they come in is a huge distraction from the current task at hand and will ultimately result in the task taking much longer to complete and possibly not being of a high standard as you were not focused.
Prioritise: No doubt you have a to-do list that is a mile long, and all of these tasks do need to be completed, but the trick is to prioritise the critical tasks so they get done first. Not everything will get finished today, some tasks will roll over to tomorrow, and that’s just the way it is so you should prioritise the tasks accordingly. It is so easy to get into the easy tasks first, because they are quick and we feel like we are getting things done, however, for the quick easy tasks, it generally is not critical that they get finished today. Focus on the important tasks that are time sensitive or are instrumental in moving forward.
Focus: When you are working on a task, give it your total focus. Don’t be checking emails or social media from the corner of your eye. If a new idea, new strategy or any other worthwhile business thought comes to mind, don’t just drop what you are doing to start digging into the idea. Instead, have a notepad beside you and write down the ideas and thoughts and then come back to it later when you have the time to devote to it.
Business Hours: If you work from home, try and implement business hours. This remains a challenge for me as I want to finish one more task, and then one more task, and before I know it, I look up and hours have passed by. But setting a time to stop and have dinner with your family, take a walk, or just have a well deserved break is better for you and your productivity.
Driving a small business takes hard work and dedication, so absolutely come back and do a little more ‘after hours’ work, especially during start up. But having a time that you finish, or take a break, will ensure that you keep balance to still enjoy other parts of your life and it will also drive you to be more efficient during the allocated work hours.
Try employing these tips to your work day and watch your efficiency sky rocket!
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