Running a small business isn’t easy. While we could say that entrepreneur life is glamorous, we’d be lying to you and ourselves. Instead, we often find that time is our most expensive and rarest resource, and there never seems to be enough of it. We know how challenging it is to juggle your to-do list, HR needs, customer deadlines, and grow your business all at the same time. It can feel overwhelming and make you wish you had just a few more hours in the day.
The good news is that there are ways you can save time and increase your time management skills. iSpace Office Interiors prides itself on helping small business owners with all their office needs, and we think time management is no exception. So, if you’re looking for time-saving tips, then we’ve got just the list for you.
- Plan Ahead
Both mental and physical junk can be distracting and bog down your work speed. Rather than starting a task, you might find yourself tempted to clean up your desk. However, this isn’t a good use of your time. You know it, and we know it. So, rather than focusing on the mess, set aside time to tidy up your office, plan out your day, and set goals for what you want to accomplish. With this technique, we suggest you start small and work your way up. By setting realistic goals for the day and tracking how much time they take you to complete, you can get a sense of how you’re spending your time.
- Avoid Distractions
We’ve already talked about how a messy office can be distracting, but so is that inbox and your phone. When you sit down to work, turn your phone off and eliminate all distractions. As the owner and manager of your small business, you don’t have anyone breathing down your neck, but you do have many balls in the air. If your office is an open space, you might consider installing a cubicle or movable walls with a door so that you can focus on getting work done and eliminate outside distractions.
- Use the Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro technique is becoming a popular time-saving tool for many small business owners. By using this technique, you set a timer for 25 minutes, give yourself that time to complete a task and then follow it with a 5-minute break before moving onto the next task. When you break up your day and small business tasks into categories, you can begin to set a goal for the number of pomodoros that you’ll spend doing something. For example, you might reach a point where you delegate 10 pomodoros for checking emails each week or 30 pomodoros to work on your marketing.
- Utilize Apps
If you have a smartphone or tablet you use for work, then it’s time to turn this device into the ultimate time-saving hack in your small business. There are so many apps on these devices that allow you to take charge of your workflow and schedule. If you’re a small business owner that charges by the hour, then apps like Toggl or Harvest can help you easily track your time for clients. Trello can help you with workflow and help you break up more significant projects into smaller, more attainable tasks.
- Learn to Delegate
As a small business owner, you’re used to having a hand in nearly every aspect of your business. However, to develop better timesaving and management habits, you need to learn to delegate. Once you’ve figured out your work priorities and what’s eating up most of your precious time, you can start to delegate tasks. You can also delegate tasks that you know you procrastinate on simply because you don’t like doing them.
We Can Help Save Time & Money
As a small business, your space, time, and budget are all limited. That’s why we proudly offer free space planning, moving assistance, and project management. You’d be surprised how much more work you and your team can accomplish with the right office set up, and how much easier it is to move with a team of professionals. We can also set up your new space with some ergonomic furniture that’s perfect for every employee. To save yourself time and to delegate these to us, get your quote by calling (317) 694-7197.
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