The modern entrepreneur is in constant demand. In a global, fiercely competitive market, business owners are pulled in every direction at once. A few simple tips can make life easier for the person who finds that the 24-hour day is simply not enough.
There are few certainties in life. One of them is the 24-hour day. So many things to do, so little time to do them. The constant demands of running your own business require efficiency and planning. If you are to rise to the top, to compete in a competitive world where every advantage must be taken, time management is the key to success.
Top Ten Time Tools
1. IDENTIFY GOALS
Spend time wisely thinking about the most important goals for your business over the coming day, week and year. Use the SMART formula: make the goals Specific, Measurable, Appropriate, Realistic and Time-bound. Without a clear vision of what is most important, we lose time and money.
2. PRIORITISE
Start every day by dividing your tasks into A, B, and C priorities. Always begin the work day with a high priority ‘A’ task. First things first and the rest will follow in a logical order. As the most important task is completed, a sense of accomplishment and focus will make everything else easier.
3. BLOCK OFF TIME FOR ACTIVITIES THAT ARE IMPORTANT
Make and keep appointments with yourself first. This gives you room to plan and think effectively. A clear mind will make for a sharper understanding of the obstacles ahead.
4. DON’T SPEND TIME ON TRIVIAL THINGS
Ask yourself, do you spend too much time internet surfing, reading e-mails, making personal calls? Identify time bandits. Of course, we all need ‘down time’ or personal time to take care of life’s non-business necessities. A disciplined examination of just how many hours are dedicated to private concerns may be very revealing.
5. DELEGATE AND SAY NO!
You can’t please everyone all the time. Create personal rules that make it easy to say no and stick to them. Sometimes you may feel you are the only one who can do something the right way. This isn’t always true. Use the good people you hired to get things done quickly.