Productivity is key to the success of a small business owner. When not working as efficiently and effectively as possible, the business will suffer.
In his article on Forbes, Kalin Kassabov discusses 4 Productivity Tips for Small Business Owners:
Find The Right Planning System
A planning system will help to manage time and stay focused in order to work as efficiently as possible. A planning system that works from some people doesn’t mean it will be your best option. Regardless of whether you’re a pen and paper person or utilize apps and technology, you must have a planning system in place.
“The key is to find a system that works for you. If you find it easier to write your to-do list down in a notebook, don’t invest in fancy apps. On the other hand, if you’re frequently on your laptop or smartphone, it might be useful to use an app such as Workflow, Clear or Microsoft Outlook’s Tasks. Similarly, if you’ve always had success with a pen and notebook, don’t feel obligated to upgrade to a high-tech tool just because it’s available,” said Kassabov.
Set Priorities
The ability to identify the most important tasks set them in order of priority is one of the most critical time management skills you can master.
“If you’re working off of a to-do list that’s not arranged in any particular order, it can do more harm than good. You can start out with such a list but always take the time to rearrange it based on the urgency and time needed for each task. When setting priorities, it’s usually best to start out with the one that takes the longest or is the most urgent,” said Kassabov.
Keep Parkinson’s Law In Mind
When planning, consider available time and perceived time to complete a task. This will help you to work as efficiently as possible.
“Parkinson’s Law states that ‘Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.’ How long something takes is largely a matter of perception. If you schedule a meeting for an hour, that’s how long it will take. If you made it 30 minutes instead, you’d most likely get the same amount accomplished in half the time,” said Kassabov.
Gain More Time By Doing Less
Your time in your work day is relatively fixed. Unless you’re already working as efficiently as possible, there’s no way to gain more time in your work day. However, if you can identify areas where you can do less, such as spending less time being non-productive, you can actually gain more time in your work day.
“The only way to create more time is to stop doing certain things. If you take an honest look at how you actually spend time, you can almost certainly find ways to clear at least a few hours each week from your schedule. Try not to commit to anything without carefully considering whether it serves a genuine need or is just another distraction. When you’re organized and don’t over-commit yourself, you can develop a laser-like focus and give your full attention to the task at hand,” said Kassabov.
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