5 Tips To Better Time Management

As an entrepreneur you’ll appreciate, your time is the most valuable commodity you have. You want to make the most of it, but that isn’t always easy, especially when you work for yourself! You know you need to get better time management strategies in place, but this is sometimes easier said than done.

However, it is something that can be easily solved. Here are 5 great tips to help you get more organised with your time, so you can get more out of your working day.

TIP #1: IF YOU WANT BETTER TIME MANAGEMENT, PLAN YOUR DAY AND WEEK

You’ll find it easier to be better at managing your time if you know what needs to be done in advance. Always plan your time ahead of schedule. Set aside time at the beginning of your week, to plan what you want to achieve during the week. And spend 5 minutes at the start of each day, planning your tasks for the day ahead.

TIP #2: BLOCK OFF YOUR TIME

As part of your planning process, you need to block off sections of time, for the tasks on your to-do list. This helps you to be realistic about how long a task will take and how much of your day it will take up. You will then be able to see your day as workable chunks of time, rather than six or eight hours of unplanned free time.

TIP #3: KNOW YOUR PRIORITIES

Your priorities are another crucial element of great time management. You need to know what they are, so you can ensure you’re planning time for them! This isn’t just about those tasks that have a high priority (although they are one of the areas you need to consider). You also need to think about your business priorities as a whole. So make sure you’re planning in time for tasks that directly relate to helping you achieve your business goals, as well as business growth, acquiring new leads, and any projects you’re currently working on.

TIP #4: FOCUS ON THE TASK AT HAND

If you want to get better at time management, look to cut off any distractions. You need to be able to focus on the task at hand if you want to get it completed faster and to a higher standard. Being focused also means focusing on only one task at a time – don’t multitask!

TIP #5: IF YOU WANT TO MASTER TIME MANAGEMENT – DELEGATE WHAT YOU CAN

And the final tip for better time management delegation is an essential skill to need to master. It’s only when you stop trying to do everything yourself, that you’ll appreciate how much faster your business can grow, as a result. Look to free up your time so you can focus solely on those tasks that need your attention. To do this effectively, look to have a good clear out of tasks on your list – have a rule where you filter all tasks into one of four categories:

1. Tasks that can be binned or dropped altogether
2. Tasks that aren’t urgent or important and can be rescheduled to a later date
3. Tasks that only you can do
4. Tasks that can be outsourced or delegated to someone else

Filtering all your tasks into one of these four categories will really help you free up your time and become a master of time management.

As an entrepreneur you’ll appreciate, your time is the most valuable commodity you have. You want to make the most of it, and the above five tips help you to do that. Not only will you see your stress levels lower as a result, but you’ll also find yourself more motivated and inspired to continue getting more out of your available time.

Of course, if you’re looking for a Virtual Assistant to outsource your tasks to, why not get in touch? Setchfield VA Services can offer you a wide range of services, to help do the work so you can focus on your business – and become great at time management in the process!