How to Prioritize Your Business Time

Running a business isn’t the dream you envisioned if you’re spending 12-hour days working when you want to be having some fun with your family. Business owners often log more work hours than employees do but by organizing your time, you can accomplish just as much and still have time for a little rest and relaxation.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Master the skills necessary to complete your business tasks. As a business owner, you need to learn the ins and outs of all the facets of your company. You needn’t get an accounting degree but a night course in business bookkeeping will teach you the ropes so you can complete or oversee the task more efficiently.
2. Organize your duties by priority. Make time for the important tasks first, and then work on the low-priority ones in your spare time. Finish the bid for a client before you work on the company newsletter. If you must delay something, make sure it is the least important task.
3. Handle paper as little as possible. As soon as you print a document, mail it or file it. When you open the mail, immediately sort it by priority and treat it in the manner described in Step 2.
4. Keep a day-to-day calendar with you at all times. You know how annoying it is when a friend says, “I’ll check my calendar.” Well, that’s exactly what you need to do. Organizing your time and planning ahead allows you to delegate time for the most important tasks and keep your schedule straight.
5. Carpool your errands. Keep lists of office supplies to purchase and when you run to the post office, pick them up in the same trip. Making numerous trips for individual items assures that you will be burning the midnight oil to complete your work.
6. Know when to say “No.” When you’re feeling exasperated, despite an organized schedule and a prioritized plan, take a step back and take a deep breath. Put your personal priorities in order and spend some well-deserved time with the family. An occasional day off, after all, is one of the perks of running your own business.

Tips & Warnings

• Teach employees organizing skills as soon as they are hired. Starting off on the right foot will save time for them and your business, in general.