If you’re a small business owner, chances are you love making your own schedule – but in between busy seasons and slow seasons, it can be challenging to create a schedule you can stick to – a schedule you can experience balance in and depend on each and every day, season after season. Or, conversely, maybe creating a schedule doesn’t come very naturally to you, and you find yourself unsure of exactly what to work on each day. Today, we’re excited to share 5 tips for better time management, so no matter what your schedule looks like, you can make the most of every workday. 

Episode Sponsor: ⁠⁠Tidio⁠⁠

For online small business owners, it’s more important than ever to create user-friendly ways for your customers and clients to engage and get in touch. That’s why at With Grace and Gold, we use ⁠⁠Tidio⁠⁠ — a user-friendly, conversion-driven live chat software with so many features we, and our prospective customers, value and appreciate. From automated chat responses to conversion-driven opt-ins, ⁠⁠Tidio⁠⁠ can be customized to meet your unique business needs. It’s the highest-rated customer experience software on Shopify, helping online businesses gain and retain more customers, and enabling you to manage all of your communication channels in one dashboard — perfect for solo entrepreneurs and online small business owners! Using ⁠⁠Tidio⁠⁠ helped us add hundreds of leads to our newsletter community in just a matter of weeks. Increase customer satisfaction and sales with personalized shopping experiences! Visit ⁠⁠tidio.com/bibi⁠⁠ and start using ⁠⁠Tidio⁠⁠ with an exclusive 20% discount for Brand It, Build It Podcast Podcast listeners with code BIBI.

5 Tips for Better Time Management

Welcome to Episode 175 of the Brand It, Build It Podcast: 5 Tips for Better Time Management! 

Managing your time well can make all the difference – especially for busy small business owners who need to effectively, efficiently, accurately manage so many key areas of their businesses. When you manage your time well, you can experience greater peace of mind about your workday, you can rest assured you’re serving your clients and customers well, and you can experience better work-life balance. So, here are our 5 tips for better time management:

Tip #1: Prioritize and Set Clear Goals

Effective time management starts with setting clear goals and priorities. Take some time to define your short-term and long-term goals, and then break them down into actionable steps. This will help you stay focused and ensure that you’re dedicating your time and energy to the most important tasks.

One helpful technique is to use a productivity framework like the Eisenhower Matrix, which helps you categorize tasks based on their urgency and importance. By focusing on high-priority tasks that align with your goals, you can make significant progress and avoid getting sidetracked by less critical activities.

Tip #2: Plan and Schedule

The old saying goes, “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” And when it comes to time management, this couldn’t be more true. Take the time to plan and schedule your days, weeks, and months in advance.

Start by creating a master to-do list of all your tasks and deadlines. Then, break down your list into smaller, manageable chunks for each day or week. Utilize tools like digital calendars or productivity apps to schedule your tasks, appointments, and meetings.

Remember to allocate dedicated time for focused work, as well as breaks and self-care. And be realistic with your time estimates. Give yourself some buffer room for unexpected interruptions or delays.

Tip #3: Avoid Multitasking

Many of us pride ourselves on being great multitaskers, but the truth is that multitasking can actually hinder productivity. Research has shown that switching between tasks can lead to a loss of focus and a decrease in overall efficiency.

Instead of trying to do everything at once, try adopting a more focused approach. Prioritize your tasks and work on them one at a time. Give your full attention to each task, complete it, and then move on to the next. You’ll find that you’re able to accomplish more and produce higher-quality work when you’re fully immersed in the task at hand.

Tip #4: Delegate and Outsource

As small business owners, it can be tempting to take on every task ourselves to maintain control. However, learning to delegate and outsource is crucial for effective time management.

Identify tasks that can be done by others and consider outsourcing them to freelancers or hiring virtual assistants. Delegating not only frees up your time but also allows you to focus on higher-level activities that contribute directly to the growth of your business.

Remember, you don’t have to do it all alone. Surround yourself with a reliable team or network of professionals who can help you lighten the load and bring their expertise to the table.

Tip #5: Embrace Technology and Automation

Technology can be a powerful ally in optimizing your time management. Explore tools and software that can automate repetitive tasks, streamline processes, and enhance your productivity.

From project management tools to email automation, there are countless resources available to help you work smarter, not harder. Take the time to research and invest in tools that align with your specific needs and integrate them into your workflow.

Today, we explored 5 tips for better time management, and we are so hopeful these recommendations equip you for success in the seasons ahead. Thanks for tuning in!

About Brand It, Build It Podcast, Hosted by Kelly Zugay

Hosted by Kelly Zugay, co-founder of With Grace and Gold, The Brand It, Build It Podcast is a leading small business marketing podcast for small business owners, creatives, and founders. Weekly, brief, actionable episodes will equip you to build a successful, sustainable small business. Since 2014, With Grace and Gold has provided award-winning custom brand and Showit web design and completely customizable Showit website templates for small businesses worldwide.