Professionalism Series: Time Management and Organization for Small Business Owners

1.   Keep a calendar.

a.    Keep your calendar with you.

b.    Calendar is only as good as you use it.

c.     Use tricks to keep your calendar organized such as color-coding.

d.    Consider if you want to mix personal and business events on the same calendar. 

e.    Use your calendar so that it allows you to provide the best service to your clients.

f.     Have a back up of your calendar and contacts!

2.   Don’t over commit.

a.    Be realistic in what you can accomplish

3.   Keep your promises.

a.    Exceed your promise when possible

b.    “Sunset rule.” Call back or send message before the sun goes down that same day.

4.   Understand your priorities.

a.    Know and understand what are your priorities-critical for your success

b.    Your time needs to be directly related to your priorities

c.     Your current client is your priority

5.   Maintain boundaries-no one will protect your time but yourself.

a.    You do not need to respond after hours. Look into a way to way to put a notice on your phone.

b.    If you allow people to run over you professionally they may tell others about that. You need to stick to your boundary-you are building a brand. Such as giving discounts-you need to charge your value.  Rather than giving away money give additional service or time.