Implementing effective processes in your business that allow you to better manage your time will transform your way of working, and your business. When you are in control of your time, you use it wisely, choosing what works, and prioritising what matters most, both in the short and long term.
You will have time to devote to the tasks that matter the most, the ones that really move the needle.
You will no longer waste time going down rabbit holes, not making the progress you want.
Perhaps most importantly, you will see with clarity where your time and energy is most needed to get the results you need to grow you and your business
What can you do to claim back time and take control of your day? Below are 6 simple strategies you can implement today that will give you headspace (and diary space) to really focus on your goals.
- Planning. Find a system that is simple enough for you to stick to, whether that is digital or on paper, then plan out your annual goals and break those down in to quarterly, monthly, weekly and daily tasks. Be disciplined and then prioritise; if a task will only take five minutes or less to complete, do it now.
- Timers/ block scheduling. A game-changer, if ever there was one. Set a 45 minute timer then go all in on a task, completing as much as you can without distraction in that time. Then take a 5 minute break to stretch and look away from your screen before coming back to the next time block or task. This will give you a set time to achieve a task before you must move on to the next step, and allow you to rest your eyes and your mind, ensuring you are energised for that next item on your to-do list.
- Remove distractions. An obvious but important one. Make use of the “focus” mode on your phone to avoid getting side-tracked by the constant ping of notifications during your work hours. Instead, set aside time in your schedule to check emails, messages and social media, so that you can focus your energy on what matters most.
- Lists, lists & more lists. Make a list for everything and it will change your life and your business. When you see something written down, you will register its importance and be more inclined to complete it in a timely way. Why? Because there are few things as satisfying as completing a task and ticking it off. Bonus tip: always carry a notebook so that you can jot down any ideas that you need to come back to later.
- Work out which time of the day you are most productive, then schedule your most important tasks accordingly. Ticking off your most pressing items first will give you a motivational boost, leaving you more productive and energised. You can complete the less demanding tasks during the downtime in your day, knowing that you are already ahead of your to-do list.
- Tackle three main tasks a day. While the lists you make above may seem endless, your daily focus should be on “the big 3”, as I call them. Ask yourself, which tasks are urgent? Which ones will get you closer to achieving your goals? Highlight these, put them in your top three tasks for the day and get them done first. Any more than this, and overwhelm takes over, leading to procrastination.
I can help you plan your annual strategy, giving you guidance on your planning and priorities. Contact me for more information.