How to better manage your time

Although it takes time and dedication to build and grow a small business, what is more important for both you and your business is a work-life balance. Having a good work-life balance means reduces your risk of burnout and health issues. A healthier and happier you means more productivity, a better-run business but most importantly, more quality time with your friends and family.

Here are some strategies you can implement to help reduce those hours and to separate work and home.

Set realistic goals

You may be working long hours because you’ve set unrealistic deadlines or overcommitted. Setting realistic goals involves:

• Scheduling time to do mundane tasks like replying to emails, setting appointments and backing up your files.
• Setting boundaries and learning to say no to tasks that aren’t the best use of your time.
• Breaking huge tasks into manageable bite-size chunks.

Master the art of delegation

Small business owners are usually a jack of all trades, doing everything from the bookkeeping to cleaning the shop and packing orders. Whilst it’s good to understand all aspects of your business, your focus should be on your business strategy, not it’s daily running requirements. This is where delegating work can make a difference. Hiring someone who is dedicated to a set of tasks improves efficiency and quality. It also lets you focus on the bigger picture. If your budget doesn’t currently allow for permanent staff, consider using gig economy platforms like Airtasker or Fiverr as an economic alternative.

Embrace applications

Technology is designed to make your work life easier. Organising and keeping a track of all your work and projects will help you meet your goals and boost productivity. Below are examples of online project managers, to-do lists and automation tools.

• Trello
• Asana
• Todoist for Chrome
• Google Tasks
• Zapier
• Toggl Track

Avoid distractions

While technology can help you be more productive, it can also hinder your productivity. Australians spend more time on the internet than we actually do working. One out of three minutes on the internet is spent on social media. To limit these distractions and focus on critical tasks while using the internet for work, install a URL blocker such as BlockSite for Chrome.  

Disclaimer: Council is not affiliated with any of the providers listed here. It is your responsibility to do due diligence and research the options and select the ones that best meet your business needs.