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6 Effective Time Management Techniques for Business Owners

Don’t spend another year feeling disorganized, running late to appointments, and drowning in a seemingly never-ending list of tasks. These simple techniques will help you regain control of your time and start the new year off right. 

1. Set Smart Goals

Goals that are too broad can cause you to struggle to accomplish them. Instead, start setting SMART goals:

• Specific:  Instead of saying, “increase sales,” be specific and say, “increase sales by 15% using targeted marketing campaigns.”
• Measurable: You need to be able to measure your results to know when you’ve reached the goal, such as “Achieve a customer satisfaction rating of 90% by the end of next quarter.”
• Achievable: Goals must also be realistic. Don’t set yourself up to fail — make sure you have the resources and ability to accomplish it. 
• Relevant: Make the goal contribute to your overall objective. So, if your intent is to reduce stress, and you set a goal to meditate each night, then yes, it’s geared toward the bigger picture. 
• Time-bound: Set a deadline to prevent procrastination and hold yourself accountable. For instance, “Launch the marketing campaign by March 1st, and review data two weeks later to measure its effectiveness.”  

2. Time Block 

Set aside chunks of time in your calendar for specific tasks so you can quickly see how your day will be spent. Time blocking helps you focus on one item at a time and move on when the time is up. For example, set aside a block of time for emails instead of checking them throughout the day. Use specific colors to categorize your time blocks.

3. Delegate 

Newsflash — you don’t have to handle everything! Identify time-consuming tasks your team can complete. Help them succeed by training them, being clear with your expectations, and providing them with the necessary resources.

4. Set Boundaries 

Learning to set boundaries can help prevent burnout and increase productivity. Pause before answering requests for your time so you don’t impulsively blurt out “Yes” every time. Set your own clear work hours and stop taking it home with you.

5. Embrace Technology 

Use apps and software to help streamline your day. Collaborate on documents using Google Docs. Stay organized with apps like Notion and Evernote. Keep communication quick and organized with platforms like Slack. Track projects using project management apps like Trello and Asana. Prevent scheduling hassles by sharing digital calendars or using a scheduling tool. Automate marketing emails and social media posts by pre-scheduling your content. 

6. Prioritize Tasks

Tackle the most demanding or urgent task first — also called “eating the frog.” You’ll feel more accomplished and free up time to handle the other items on your list. Waiting until the end of the day when you’re out of time or mentally exhausted can make the quality of your work suffer. 

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