5 Key Small Business Strategies To Fight Time Management Problems

Time, no matter how we work there is no more of it. We all get the same 24/7; how we break it down sets us apart.

For over 65,000 hours, I’ve practised time management. It’s the nature of what I do. Systems and Processes are just as important to my business as to our clients. Do I get it right every single time? No. I don’t! Why is that? I’m not perfect. While I have been described as a machine, a weapon, a gun. I still have the same issues that everyone else has.

Distractions are no friend to the small business owner, and we know they will happen daily. You can back it in. Sure thing! My job is to work around those distractions so my clients don’t need to worry about them. How do I do that? With my 5 Key Small Business Strategies to Fight Time Management Problems.?

These 5 effective time management strategies will help you to knuckle down, focus and power through your day so you can maximise your impact by efficiently managing your time and resources. It is possible. Here is what I do…

1. Structured Time Blocks:

I use my diary to schedule designated time blocks for specific tasks or groups of functions. I break my day into workable sections for client projects, meetings, brainstorming, or personal time.?

Start by planning and working out what is business critical. You know, the stuff where the sky will fall if it isn’t done when it needs to be. They are your priority.? Then, set reminders to warn you of the approaching time so you can keep your commitment. I like to set reminders on my phone rather than an email or notification pop-up. I’ve assigned a specific tone to my phone reminders, so I know I must look at it when it goes off. (I wouldn’t have set it if it wasn’t necessary).

Another key here is to keep the time you block out realistic; don’t block out half a day if you have no intention of spending that amount of time. This only puts you under more pressure to complete other tasks.

Small time chunks often are the key here.

2. Delegate Strategically:

This was a game-changer for me. Working with my team has changed everything after being a Lone Wolf for some time. Before delegating, I had to understand my strengths and delegate tasks that others could handle efficiently. I would then spend my newfound freedom working on my business strategies. You know, the ones you need to work on but are still in the “I must do it myself” phase.

Don’t forget that at some stage, you set goals for yourself and your business; part of achieving those goals are the milestones that need to be achieved.?

A team will help you achieve those milestones, so you don’t need to spend all your time trying to undertake all the tasks. It’s just not the best use of your time.?

Here’s an example: JMJ has a team of seven members within Australia and offshore. Each has a specific role within the business so that we can cover all our client’s business admin jobs and milestones.?

3. Prioritise with Purpose:

This is where your personal and business goals come in. To achieve them, you know that there have to be tasks aligned with you achieving them. This is how I keep on track to achieving my goals!

I list all tasks and categorise them by project.?

• For big hitters, revert to point 1, Structured Time Blocks block out the diary and be realistic. Don’t set yourself up to fail by being unrealistic.?
• For projects that will take 15 minutes to an hour, I ask myself, will the sky fall if this job is not done today? If yes, it’s urgent a P1; if not, it’s important and a P2.
• Sometimes, the sky will fall if a 15-minute task isn’t completed, so if it’s only 15 minutes, put it in the P1 category and knock it over first. What’s that saying? Eat the Frog!!
• If it’s not a PI, important or urgent, I allocate these jobs to the ‘one day this week’ category.?

4. Embrace Technology Wisely:

There are so many apps for small businesses that it can be overwhelming to know where to begin. Well, I’ll let you in on a little secret. For years, I used Asana, but the program is not keeping up with the times. It didn’t provide the necessary visuals without costing me an arm and a leg each month.

For our business, managing multiple team members and multiple clients, we went with Monday.com . Yes, it’s an expensive program, but it is cheaper than Asana. It is better to look at and easier to find information than Asana, and it creates the best workflows. Oh, FYI, that is NOT an affiliate link. Just saying!

If you’re already working with a team and looking for a better way, check it out. Monday is a great way to prioritise tasks for yourself and your team, and with many built-in automation functions, it makes the most meaningful of functions easier to see where all the time is being spent.

5. Continuous Learning and Adaptability:

Stay updated with new methodologies and time-saving techniques. Adaptability is vital; be willing to refine your approach and embrace changes that enhance productivity.

As strange as it may seem, or not, this is an ideal task to delegate. Trusting in someone else to keep on the track of new enhancements for your business is a great place to start, and with just an hour of your time , you will save many more.?

How amazing would it be to have a sounding board, someone to run your ideas past, an impartial person who has the admin knowledge you’re looking for so you can begin to plan the next steps in your small business?

You might be a seasoned small business owner looking to engage a team or already have one, but they might need more specific skills or the knowledge you seek.

If you are reading this and think yes, reach out to me here and organise a FREE call to discuss your requirements.?