Time management is difficult, but important when you are running a business. It can be very difficult to get things done when it seems like the list keeps growing and growing. How can you get organized when it seems so overwhelming? Here are some tips to keep you sane AND productive in 2011.
1. Limit email checking. Most of us don’t realize how much time we spend sifting through emails during the day. Most people don’t need an immediate response so twice a day is sufficient. Set aside 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes at day’s end to read and respond to emails.
2. Attack the biggest monster first. Brian Tracy wrote a book called, Eat That Frog. The book explains how by accomplishing our most difficult task first thing the morning does two things: It assures that you complete at least one very important task each day and empowers you to keep up that positive mentality throughout the rest of the day.
3. Keep appointments/notes/lists in one location. It can be confusing to have notes, appointments and to-do lists scattered about your work area. Pick a method that works for you and is easy to manage. For example: I use my iPhone as an appointment calendar, a place for lists, and something to keep notes in. There are many iPhone Apps to choose from that can help you stay organized with a touch of your fingertips.
4. Create meeting agendas. No one likes to attend a meeting just for the sake of having a meeting. Avoid this trap by preparing an agenda ahead of time that contains points to be covered. No matter how small your agenda may be, following it can help keep everyone focused and save time.
5. Set aside one day for client meetings. Try to schedule client meetings a specific days of the week. Choose one or two days that you are seeing clients so that planning the rest of your week becomes easier. Creating this kind of a schedule creates an organized way to manage your days and keep things running smoothly.
These tips are a great start to keeping your time organized and productive. Incorporate the tips into your daily routine and you will see almost instant results!
Can you add anything to my list? Please let me know, I’d love to hear from you.
