Top 10 Productivity Tips for Busy Business Owners

Are you feeling overwhelmed and constantly busy? Do you feel like you can’t get ahead, no matter how hard you try? If so, you’re not alone. Many business owners feel this way. The good news is that there are ways to improve your productivity and get more done in less time!

??Understand Your Priorities

When it comes to setting and achieving goals, the first step is to understand your priorities. What is most important to you? What are your core values?

Once you have a clear understanding of your priorities, you can set goals that align with them. For example, if your priority is to spend more time with your family, you might set a goal to leave work at 5 pm every day. Or, if your priority is to get healthy, you might set a goal to exercise for 30 minutes five days per week.

Once you have identified your priorities, setting and achieving goals becomes more straightforward. You will be motivated by what is most important to you, making it more likely that you will stick to your goals and achieve success.

As for me, my main priority is to have control over my time and income, so I can spend time homeschooling my kids. Last year, I switched to full-time freelancing to set up my daily work routine that accommodates plenty of classes and activities with my kids.

??Set Boundaries

Having boundaries isn’t selfish. It’s essential to a healthy, balanced life. Just as you nurture your body with good food and exercise, you need to nurture your mind with positive energy.

Surround yourself with people who respect and support you. Spend time with friends who lift you up and make you laugh. Do things that make you happy.

Say no when you need to. It's okay to say no to plans that don't interest you or drain your energy. Don't be afraid to say no to negative or drama-oriented people. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.

Life is too short to waste time on things that don't bring you joy. So set boundaries, and live your best life.

Setting boundaries is especially critical for business owners working at home with kids like me. I make sure to set boundaries with my kids and husband. I always tell them my schedule in advance so that they can plan their routine around that.

??Set Daily Goals

Having tangible daily goals is a great way to push yourself to be productive and accomplished. It gives you a sense of purpose and direction for your day. Without goals, it's too easy to waste time on activities that don't move you closer to your larger objectives.

The key is to make sure your goals are achievable and realistic. Otherwise, you'll only end up feeling frustrated and discouraged. So take some time to think about what you want to achieve each day, and then make a plan to happen. You'll be amazed at how much more you can get done when you have a clear sense of purpose.

Once you accomplish stuff in your to-do list, make sure to give yourself a self-five.

Your daily goals should also depend on how much time you can spend on each task. For example, you might plan for tasks that will take 8 hours. But in general, you only have about 4 hours per day to work on your business.

That's why it's critical to block your calendar.

???Time-block Your Calendar

Time-blocking is a method of scheduling that involves dividing your day into blocks of time dedicated to specific activities. For example, you may block out an hour for breakfast, two hours for work, and one hour for lunch. By doing this, you can prevent yourself from overbooking your day and making sure that you have time for everything important to you.

Additionally, time-blocking can help you focus on each task and avoid distractions. When you know that you only have an hour to complete a task, you are less likely to allow yourself to be sidetracked by social media or other distractions. Time-blocking is an effective way to increase productivity and make the most of your time.

??Create a Routine

A daily routine can help you organize your day, manage your time, and get things done. By creating a routine, you can eliminate the need to make decisions about what needs to be done next, saving time and reducing stress.

Of course, a routine is not set in stone; it can be adapted as needed to accommodate changes in your schedule or priorities.

However, having a basic routine in place can make handling unexpected challenges and changes easier. Whether you are trying to improve your productivity at work or simply want to enjoy a more organized life, creating a daily routine can be a helpful first step.

I’m big on routines! Not just for myself, but my kids as well. According to ZerotoThrive.org, “children with regular routines at home have self-regulation skills, the building blocks of good mental health.”

?Get Up Early

Getting up early gives you a chance to start the day on your own terms and set the tone for the rest of the day. It also allows you to get a head start on the day's tasks and avoid the distractions of the afternoon. If you're looking to increase your productivity and achieve your goals, getting up early is a great place to start.?

Not only will you get a jump on the day, but you'll also feel more energetic and motivated throughout the day. So if you're ready to make some changes in your life, be sure to set your alarm clock a little earlier tomorrow morning.

I wake up an hour early every day. My kids usually wake up at 7 am, so I give myself an hour to drink my coffee in peace, exercise, and write in my journal.?

This video documents my daily routine during the pandemic before we moved to our new house.

But if you’re not an early riser, that’s okay. You need to identify which time of day works best for you.?

??Identify Your Most Productive Time of Day

Many people find that they are most productive in the morning, starting the day with a fresh burst of energy. Others find that they work better in the evening when the house is quiet, and they can focus without distractions.?

Some people even have a second wind late at night, when they can finally get some uninterrupted time to work on their projects. Identifying your most productive time of day can be tricky, but it is worth figuring it out.?

Once you know when you are at your best, you can schedule your work around that time. For example, I get my writing done in the morning. I do my editing in the afternoon. At night, I plan the content I will write the following day. So, I’ll do my research at night since I’m already tired and don’t have the cognitive load to start creating new content.

??Do the Hardest Thing First

It's easy to procrastinate when faced with a difficult task. It's human nature to want to take the path of least resistance. However, in many cases, it's better to do the hard things first. By tackling the most challenging tasks early on, we can get them out of the way and avoid the stress of having them hanging over our heads.?

Additionally, doing the hard things first can give us a sense of accomplishment that boosts our confidence and motivation. We often feel more capable than we think we are, and rising to meet a difficult challenge can help us realize our true potential.?

So next time you're facing a daunting task, remember that it's often best to just bite the bullet and do the hard thing first. Brian Tracy calls this strategy, “Eat that frog!”

?Prevent Distractions

If you want to be productive, it's essential to be able to focus on your work and tune out distractions. This can be easier said than done, but you can do a few things to make it easier.?

First, try to create a dedicated workspace for yourself where you can close the door and eliminate outside noise. If you can't do this, try wearing headphones or using a white noise machine to block distractions. You should also keep your work area tidy and organized so that you're not constantly getting sidetracked by clutter.?

Finally, try to establish some ground rules with family and friends so that they know not to disturb you when you're working.?

I used to work in the middle of the living room when the pandemic started. We welcomed a new baby, and I didn’t have my own home office. That’s why we decided to move, so I can have my own space to work, record podcasts, and produce live streams.?

??Delegate Tasks and Outsource Chores

After a long day of work, coming home to a pile of dirty laundry and dishes can be daunting. It's no wonder that many people choose to outsource their chores to professional services.?

While this may seem like a luxury, it can save time and money in the long run. By hiring someone to clean your home or do your laundry, you can free up your evenings and weekends for more enjoyable activities. In addition, you'll never have to worry about running out of clean clothes or dealing with a sink full of dirty dishes again.?

So if you're looking for a way to simplify your life, consider outsourcing your chores. It's an investment that will pay off both time and peace of mind.?

Things that I delegate to professionals:

• Laundry
• Landscaping?
• WordPress Design
• Graphic design

I'm a big believer in delegating tasks! That's why I help solopreneurs and early-stage founders hire writers and assistants from the Philippines.

??Review your week every Friday

It's been another busy week, and you're finally ready to relax on the weekend. But before you do, take a few minutes to review your week.?

What went well? What could have gone better? What did you learn??

Reflecting on your successes and challenges can help you stay on track and make next week even better. Friday is the perfect day to do this because you're still in the mindset of the workweek, but you're also looking forward to the weekend.?

So take a few minutes, grab a coffee, and reflect on your week. It will help you start the weekend off on the right foot!

I have an Insights Page on my Notion where I answer 10 questions to review my week. I try to do this at least every other week. I make plenty of changes in my freelancing business based on my reflections.?

Time to Take Action and Do More in Less Time

If you want to be productive, start by understanding your priorities and what’s important to you. Once you have a good sense of that, set boundaries for yourself and make changes in your routine to focus on what’s important. Finally, don’t forget to celebrate your accomplishments!?

Download my ebook Productivity for Moms: How to Breeze Through Your To-do List Before Bedtime for more specific strategies. It also has a daily sample routine from my schedule.

You can also download my free ultimate checklist before hiring a VA from the Philippines.