Too Little Time – Too much to do!

Time is a unique and precious commodity, we cannot store it up to use on another occasion.

A recent survey published by the FSB (www.fsb.org.uk) highlighted that almost 50% of small business owners felt under pressure because they had insufficient time.

Running your own business is not a Monday to Friday, 9 to 5 occupation. We are constantly busy and although well aware of the benefits of time management and task prioritisation, somehow we struggle to sustain applying them.

No doubt each of us has compiled lists of things needing to be done and occasionally actually applied a time management process. Perhaps successfully for a few days or maybe a couple of weeks but the discipline somehow eludes us over time, probably because we are too busy!

There are simple effective ways to ensure you use your time wisely and productively.

Consider the following;
- When booking appointments and meetings do you include travel time, if required?
- Do you consider adding time for preparation and for compiling notes afterwards?
- Do you allocate time for any assigned tasks or do you try to fit them in whenever possible?
- Switch off your phone and avoid constantly checking emails! Identify specific times in the day to respond to calls and emails, eliminating interruptions.
- When working on a task pursue it to completion or as close to as possible, avoiding duplication of effort picking up from where you left off.
- It may sound contradictory but take an occasional break, you will be surprised by how much more efficient a refreshed mind will be.
- Maintain hydration levels, it will help concentration.
- Try all of the above, you might just discover that time you say you always need!
- And the bonus is there are no time management forms to complete!