Successful business owners know how to make the most of every minute of every day. Wasted time costs money and clients, but when you’re slowed down by administrative tasks, an over-spilling inbox and endless meetings it can be hard to keep up with the pace.
Here, Richard Walton highlights ten ways to maximise your productivity every day:
1. Use time blocks
I’ve never been particularly good at organising my day, but since I’ve started working with a personal assistant, I’ve learned that scheduling is everything.
My day is now organised into 20 minute slots so that I never spend too much time agonising over one task. It means that I never get stuck on a phone call, for example, and it means that every part of my day is productive. If there’s a more complicated issue to deal with I just assign two or three slots to that particular task.
2. Prioritise tasks
As the leader of a company you should only really be working on top priority tasks as those are the ones which will most benefit the growth of your business.
I number my tasks from 1 to 3 according to their importance (1 being the most urgent and 3 the least). If you’re overwhelmed with lots of tasks tasks in a day, it’s a good way of focusing your attention on the most important jobs.
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3. Minimise distractions
Social media is an easy distraction and can end up consuming huge chunks of your day. Delete apps off your work phone and avoid taking personal devices into the office.
It works the other way too. When you’re on holiday, switch off from work properly so that you can give your mind a rest and enjoy relaxing. I swap my smart phone for an old Nokia handset so that there’s no temptation to check my inbox and if there’s something urgent, the office will text or call.
4. Set achievable goals
It’s useful to remind yourself of what you’re trying to achieve from time to time. Write down your professional goals and set deadlines so that you can keep track of how the business is progressing.
When you’re busy it’s easy to loose sight of the bigger picture, but goals will remind you of what you should be focusing your attention on.
RELATED: How to avoid self-destruction and achieve your business goals
5. Schedule in breaks
Incorporate regular breaks into your daily routine so that you actually take them. It can be tempting when you’re absorbed in work to just plough through, but your mind will benefit from a rest and you’ll be able to approach problems with a new perspective.
6. Delegate as much as you can
Most entrepreneurs struggle with delegating jobs. Partly because they want to do the work and partly because they don’t trust anyone else to do as good a job.
Learning to hand over responsibility is one of the most effective and simplest ways to boost productivity. If you’ve spent time hiring an exceptional team of employees, it makes sense to use them.
Any task that’s not directly contributing to the growth of your organisation can be delegated. Make your expectations clear and provide detailed instructions, then leave them to it whilst you put your skills to better use.
RELATED: How to delegate when you’ve always done everything yourself
7. Cut back on meetings
Meetings can be extremely beneficial if they’re for the purpose of networking or solving a pressing issue, but attending a meeting about whether to increase the order of coffee capsules for your office isn’t worth your time.
Only schedule meetings if it’s important for you to discuss the matter in person and make sure you’re fully prepared so that the meeting is as productive as possible.
RELATED: How to hold a productive meeting – it’s time to get moving
8. Go to bed early and get up early
If you’re tired when you arrive at the office, chances are it will be an unproductive day. A good night’s sleep should be one of your main priorities. It will lower your stress levels and increase your creativity.
I find that exercising in the morning also helps to boost my mood. When I can, I surf before work so that I arrive exhilarated and excited about the day’s work.
9. Meditate
I practise meditation for at least 20 minutes every day to increase my focus and positivity. It can seem like a waste of time particularly if you’re stressed and busy at work, but clarity of thought is absolutely key to making sensible decisions and it boosts creativity enormously.
Make it part of your routine and you’ll really start to look forward to letting your mind unwind.
RELATED: 8 Mindfulness hacks to help make your business ideas actually happen
10. Get rid of your desk
I’ve been using a stand up desk for several years now and find that it helps me feel more dynamic, motivated and engaged with my work.
I’m the type of person who needs to be constantly active and I get restless and depressed if I’m sedentary for too long. I use an earpiece for phone calls so that I can actually walk around. It means that I’m more animated, which is especially beneficial if I’m on a sales call.
About the author
Richard Walton is the Founder of AVirtual a company that provides virtual PAs to small businesses, entrepreneurs and start-ups. He is regularly featured in the press talking about topics such as work-life balance and productivity.
More on getting the most out of yourself
You can find lots more hints, tips and tricks to getting the best out of yourself in these other ByteStart guides;
- 5 Top small business tools that will save you time, hassle and money
- Developing your startup’s greatest asset – YOU
- How finding a great mentor could help you to grow, and your business to flourish
- A few small changes that can really boost your productivity
- Increasing your personal efficiency – how to get more done in less time
Help on starting and running a successful new business
ByteStart is packed full with help on all aspects of starting and running your own successful business. Try these popular guides for starters;
Starting Up
- 5 things you must do when you go self employed
- 10 advantages running your business as a limited company has over being a sole trader
- How to set up a limited company
- Top 10 business planning tips for start-ups
- Which types of insurance must your business have?
Promoting your business
- 6 Easy steps to get better results from your small business website
- 7 Brilliant branding tips for start-ups
- How to make your small business a big hit online – A Digital marketing guide for startups small business owners
- How to create business cards that make a big impression
- 10 Top tips for small businesses starting out with social media
Leading a business
- How to be a leader rather than a manager
- Why the best leaders do less
- The Founder’s dilemma – Managing the transformation from start-up to growth business
- Building your resilience to help you cope with the ups and downs of starting and running your own business
- How to create your own support team and increase your startup’s chance of success
Going for growth
- 5 steps to kick-starting growth in your business
- The 4 Rs of getting more business from your existing customer base
- The Founder’s dilemma – Managing the transformation from start-up to growth business
- Scaling a craft business – How to grow without compromise
- Barriers to growth – how to identify them and how to overcome them
Accounting
- How to choose the best online accounting software for your business
- Guide to Bookkeeping for new business owners
- 15 Questions to ask when hiring an accountant for your small business
- Staying on top of your company accounts – Book-keeping Dos and Don’ts
- Book-keeping basics every new business owner must know
Paying less tax
- 10 ways small business owners can pay less tax
- Corporation Tax – How to reduce your bill
- Capital Allowances – A review of the various schemes available for businesses to cut their tax bill
- Using Research & Development tax relief to reduce your corporation tax bill, or claim a tax refund from HMRC.
- How setting up a salary sacrifice scheme can reward staff and mean lower tax bills for employers and employees
