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Small Business Articles from Make-it-Fly®
 Ten Easy Time-Management Tips
By Victoria Munro
Printable
version
Entrepreneurs often find they have too much to do and too little time to do it in. The tips below can help you solve this challenge, take back control of your time, and enjoy a more balanced and less stressful life.
| 1. |
Learn to say "no." A straightforward "no" is ideal, although this may be difficult at first. Perhaps "I’m afraid my time is already committed then," may be an easier response for starters. Saying "no" is a learned skill; it takes practice and you’ll improve with experience. Accepting the fact that you can never hope to please everyone will reduce the pressure you put on yourself. Don't let your mouth sabotage your plan! |
| 2. |
Check and respond to email only at set times, perhaps only once or twice a day. When working on a project that doesn’t require using your computer, shut it down or move away to another area, where you won’t be distracted by it. |
| 3. |
Create Systems for every aspect of your business. |
| 4. |
If possible, always see each task through to completion. Don’t get sidetracked – resist the urge to do a little then put it down. Each time you complete a project, even a small one, congratulate yourself and enjoy the feeling of accomplishment |
| 5. |
Beware of over-scheduling – packing your day so full that it will guarantee stress and frustration. Be realistic. |
| 6. |
When setting your weekly schedule, mark certain day(s) or portions of days as "focus times' when you won’t set appointments or allow interruptions, but will work on your business, catching up in the office and on preparation and projects, etc. |
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Failure to make a daily plan almost guarantees loss of control of your time, your life and your business! |
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Consider the consequences – when you add a task to the list, ask yourself: What will my rewards be for doing this? What will be the possible negative consequences if I fail to complete this task? |
| 9. |
Be aware of your biggest time wasters and find a solution for each one.
Some common time wasters are:
- Allowing yourself to be interrupted
- Cluttered, disorganized work areas
- Failure to document and follow procedures for dealing with paperwork, etc.
- Ineffective or inadequate training and delegating
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| 10. |
Understand how to use the telephone more efficiently
- Always know and keep in mind the purpose of your call
- Have a plan to finish the call graciously when your purpose is completed
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(415 words)
© 2010 Victoria Munro.
Click here
for printable version.
About the Author: Victoria Munro is
co-founder (along with husband Dave Block) of Make-it-Fly®
LLC, a company dedicated to creating success for
small-business owners through creatively designed programs
and tools. Victoria has started and run nine different
businesses. To receive FREE business success articles
with tips to help you with your business, sign up for
their award-winning ezine, “In-Flight Refueling,”
at: www.Make-it-Fly.com,
and receive a free copy of the eBook, Get
More Done in Less Time: 101 Quick and Easy Time Tactics
& Tips.
You’re welcome to “reprint”
this article in your ezine, print publication
or on your website, as long as it remains complete and
unaltered (including the “about the author”
info at the end). Please send a copy of your reprint
to info@make-it-fly.com.
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