NFIB

Make Time for Time Management
12/ 11/ 2003

by Vicki Gerson

As a small-business owner, you have a finite amount of time to do what seems like an infinite amount of tasks. Instead of feeling overwhelmed and defeated, complete your tasks by employing the following time management techniques.

Take five. One way to get yourself ready to start the next day's work is to prepare yourself the day before. Stop five minutes before you want to leave the office and clean up your space. When you are in the middle of a project, just straighten up the papers. Then put the books, folders or files you won't need the next day away.

By taking these simple actions you are telling yourself that you did achieve something that day. Plus, you know where to begin the next day without feeling overwhelmed or frustrated.

Make a list. Before you walk out the door, make a note to yourself that is left squarely on the center of your desk that has prioritized the next day's tasks. Be realistic about your goals. Don't make the list so long it is impossible to achieve.

Set a realistic travel schedule. Find out how long it should normally take you to reach your appointment. Allow for that time. Then consider the obstacles that can make your travel time longer and waste your work time. Road construction can take precious minutes out of your work day. It can also make you late for your appointment. Try to keep tabs on road construction and do your homework locating alternate routes. When you don't lose an hour or two in travel, time won't slip away and be wasted.

Double your estimate. Many business people discover that a time-consuming project takes longer than they originally thought. One way to solve this time issue and not feel pressured to finish the project is to double the time once you accurately determine how long the project should take. Allowing plenty of time to finish a project will make sure that if you encounter any surprises or obstacles along the way, at the very least you will not be strapped for time.

Turn off your phone. When you need to concentrate on a project, stop the interruptions. A ringing phone disturbs your concentrate and train of thought.

Stop the flow of paper across your desk. Take the time next month to analyze the paper, magazines, newsletters, reports, memos, mail and junk mail you always handle. Keep track of the amount of time you spend dealing with this. Then decide how to cut down. Cancel subscriptions to the newsletters, reports and magazines you rarely read or don't even look at. Sign up for electronic newsletters you must have. Have your assistant or secretary read magazines for you and ask them to highlight the information you need.

Make a schedule. Do habitual tasks at the same time each day. Opening your mail, checking your voicemail and returning emails at the same time daily can help keep you on a schedule and prevent you from skipping one of these important tasks.

Small Business Sound Off
Does this story hit home?  Share your story with us