When you’re an entrepreneur, busyness becomes your second nature. The simple truth is that if you’ve taken on the risk of starting and managing your own business, you’ll never be anything but busy. The lack of time is something most entrepreneurs struggle with on a daily basis – particularly those who run their ventures as a one-man show and have to do the job of several people at the same time.
Between developing strategies, managing operations, attending meetings, networking, and solving the many unexpected issues that arise during the day, time passes quickly, and 24 hours hardly seem enough to accomplish everything one sets out to do.
However, despite the hectic lifestyle that comes with the territory, it’s possible to make time work in your favour. There are several strategies and tips that can help you manage time more efficiently and get the most out of every minute you spend on the job.
Live by Your Schedule
A well-planned schedule is a must for every professional who wants to stay productive and keep stress in check. It’s much easier to make good use of your time and avoid situations that might interfere with your work when you have your whole day planned out from the get-go.
Think of your schedule as a roadmap: it provides structure, clarity, and reassurance, guiding your actions and decisions every step of the way. You’ll know exactly what you need to do and how much time you have to complete each task, eliminating guesswork and uncertainty. You should start each week with a clear plan and allocate time blocks for meetings, focused work, and personal commitments. Use scheduling tools to protect your time and avoid overbooking, and treat your calendar as non-negotiable—if it’s not scheduled, it doesn’t happen.
Organize Your Tasks Into Batches
Going back and forth between tasks that have little in common can be extremely irritating and time-consuming because you need to adjust your mindset and approach every time the nature of the job and work circumstances change, and that can slow you down.
Batch processing similar tasks is a great way to address this challenge as it reduces context switching and boosts efficiency. Set specific time slots for emails, calls, content creation, or administrative duties. For example, you can handle all client calls on Tuesdays and Thursdays, or dedicate Mondays to strategic planning. This rhythm helps maintain flow and clarity throughout the day.
Get The Right People Onboard
Entrepreneurship can be a lonely road, especially in the beginning when you can’t afford to hire people to help you out and you have no choice but to do a lot of things by yourself. But as your business grows and the tasks you have to handle multiply, delegating becomes crucial.
While you may be able to wear multiple hats and perform different jobs, you also have to recognize your limitations. You can’t be everything in a company, as some tasks require specialised skills and knowledge. Trying to play too many roles will not only lead to subpar results but will also cause you to waste a lot of time and resources.
That’s why you need to surround yourself with a reliable team that complements your skills and start delegating before you find yourself in a mess. Hiring or collaborating with individuals who take ownership of their work reduces the need for constant oversight. Invest in training and make sure everyone understands their roles and responsibilities clearly so your team can operate independently and effectively.
Hire an Assistant
It’s not just CEOs of large enterprises or high-level corporate leaders who require the services of professional assistants. A virtual or executive assistant can be a game-changer for many professionals looking to free up their schedule and work more efficiently. They can manage your calendar, screen emails, book travel, and take care of all sorts of repetitive tasks that don’t require your direct involvement and can become a burden for you. Delegating routine tasks to an assistant gives you more bandwidth for strategic decisions and creative thinking.
What’s more, the digitalization of the workforce now allows you to choose from a larger talent pool and find virtual assistant services that best suit your requirements and budget. For example, if having a full-time in-person assistant is not necessary or you can’t afford it, you can always opt for remote virtual assistants or hire professionals for just a couple of hours a day, depending on your specific needs.
Let Technology Lead The Way
No matter what type of activities your business carriers out, there’s an entire suite of tech tools and software systems that can come to you aid and help you work smarter, with less effort and obviously less time consumption.
Automate wherever possible. Automation can handle invoices, follow-ups, reports, and even basic customer service—saving hours each week and reducing the likelihood of errors. Using project management tools like Timesheet Portal, accounting software, and customer relationship management systems can reduce your workload considerably and create more time for you to focus on other important aspects. Do your research and choose the tech solutions that seem right for you if you want to save time and make your life easier.
Do Not Micromanage
Even when they have a whole team of trained professionals working for them, a lot of entrepreneurs still feel the need to control and intervene in every process and activity that takes place in their company. However, this type of approach, also known as micromanagement, ruins performance and productivity as it increases the risk of stress and burnout for both you and your employees.
Once you delegate, trust your team to deliver. Set clear expectations, provide resources, and establish accountability through regular check-ins rather than constant oversight. Empowering others not only saves time but also builds a culture of trust and innovation.
Establish Healthy Boundaries
Being “always on” leads to exhaustion and burnout. Establish clear boundaries by defining your working hours and communicating them to your team, clients, and even your family and friends. Take regular breaks to clear your mind and recharge. Using tools like email autoresponders or Do Not Disturb modes can help you enforce those boundaries. Protecting your time is not selfish—it’s essential to sustaining long-term performance and well-being. So, you have to learn to say no and give yourself time to breathe if you want to stay healthy and maximise your productivity.
Time can be a friend or a foe – it all depends on how you manage it. If you employ the right strategies and solutions, you’ll be able to allocate our resources wisely and turn time into a powerful asset.
