In today’s busy world, there just aren’t enough hours in a day to accomplish everything that needs to get done. As a result, our chaotic schedules can elevate stress levels and make it increasingly difficult for us to spend quality time with friends and family.
However, there are ways to shorten a work week with just a few small changes to your schedule. Here are some strategies that can help you boost productivity and use your time more wisely.
Know your priorities.
Not all tasks are equal. You may have a long to do list for each day of the week, but if you don’t differentiate between tasks that are important for your business and those that can wait, you will feel like a hamster on a wheel – constantly moving but never reaching your goals.
To manage your workload and prevent work overload, learn to delete or delegate. In other words, produce a ‘to stop’ list that separates important tasks from those that do not contribute to the success of your business. Each hour you spend on mundane tasks ultimately takes you away from those activities that really add value.
If you don’t have an administrative assistant, think about hiring a virtual assistant or a freelancer to help you accomplish the tasks you don’t enjoy. This will free you up to focus on the big picture and do those things you do best.
Use shortcuts
Shortcuts, like various time management apps and tools, are resources to help you become more effective and productive, especially when it comes to repetitive tasks such as answering emails or managing diaries and checklists.
Make small changes to your daily schedule and you will eventually save time in the long run. Try to reserve at least a half hour each day on routine tasks, like opening mail and working on social media, and spend the rest of your day working on more important projects.
Eliminate distractions
If you have employees, you know that distractions are inevitable. You can easily lose focus and precious minutes if you aren’t careful. While checking email, squeezing in one more meeting each day may seem insignificant to your overall productivity, the truth is those 10 to 15-minute distractions can add up quickly.
The most common distractions are emails, and 33 percent of entrepreneurs concur that email is the biggest time strain on their business. Once you read an email, file it, delete it or respond. Take planned breaks throughout the day to check email or perform non-work-related tasks.