Time Management Tips for Busy Entrepreneurs
When you’re an entrepreneur, sometimes it may seem like the 24 hours in a day just aren’t enough. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If you want to get the most out of your workweek, check out the following time management tips.
Avoid Technology–Sometimes
It’s impossible for a modern business to thrive without technology, but the same devices that make so much communication and productivity possible can also be a huge distraction. For example, endlessly answering e-mails can be quite a time sink. Forbes contributor Lisa Quast has a fix: Only answer e-mails at specific times throughout the day, such as once in the morning, once after lunch, and once late in the afternoon. You can also put your phone on do-not-disturb mode for stretches of the day.
Set Realistic Daily Goals
Having daily goals is one of the most important time management tips out there, but it’s hard to estimate how long a task will take–let alone several throughout a day. That’s why it can be a bad idea to approach a day with an overly ambitious, planned-to-the-minute schedule. Instead, base your days around a small number of tasks that you have a realistic chance of completing. Prioritize important or pressing tasks, then move on to smaller ones if you have time. That will leave wiggle room for unexpected time sinks like e-mails and phone calls.
Maintain Your Work/Life Balance
Performing additional work or answering e-mails after you’ve gone home for the day may feel like a way to get ahead, but it’s often just an additional stressor. Most people don’t expect answers to e-mails after business hours, so don’t feel pressured to answer e-mails late in the day. And if you find yourself repeatedly taking work home, it’s time to ask why you don’t have enough time to complete your tasks during the day. Different time management tips work for different people in that scenario; it may be time to cut back on your responsibilities by delegating, for example.
