June 28, 2018 | By Peyton Sawyer

 

 

Are you losing valuable time during your workday? Many business owners struggle with the same issue. If only there were a few more hours in a day, you could get so much more done. That is a common lament that many business owners, and just about every other person in the world, make on a daily basis. With so many tasks requiring your attention, it is easy to fall behind. The first step to resolving this issue is admitting that you may need some help

There are several ways to take back an hour or two during your workday, so have a look below for some tips on how to get started.

Create a List of Tasks to Be Completed

Think about your day. What tasks need to be repeated daily or on a specific day of the week? Jot them down as they come to you. No need to put them in order yet, you are just mapping out your weekly duties. After writing down your primary duties, take a little more time to think about any calls that need to be made, invoicing that needs to be done or any projects that need special attention. This is the time to list anything that is out of the norm or not a daily occurrence.

If you find that you need extra capital to address an item listed, don’t worry. There are alternative funding methods that can provide you access to the cash you need if you’re stretched thin. With small business funding, you can almost always get the funds you need in a matter of a few days, and without the credit history that funding from a traditional bank would require.

Prioritize Tasks

Once you have compiled your index of tasks, take a look at the daily and weekly duties you have listed. Is there any time sensitive items listed? If so, make sure to record the deadline next to it. This will help to complete all tasks on time. Next, read through the list so that you can prioritize your tasks according to importance.

Start Small and Work Your Way Up to Larger Tasks

Some people prefer to tackle the small items on their list before moving on to the larger tasks. This enables you to cross off items on your list that require minimal time, keeping you from getting sidetracked with more time-consuming duties. The faster you make it through your list, the better. Remember, smaller tasks add up to the same amount of time as a large task, so saving them until the end can actually cause you to lose time or even not complete your list. Work smarter, not harder.

 

 

Don’t Stray From the List

Of course, you will experience unexpected situations because there are forces beyond our control. When that happens, don’t stray from the list. Simply add the new task to the list. If it is something that can wait, then continue down your list in the order it was created. If it is a situation that needs immediate attention, make the time to address the issue, but don’t lose track of everything else that still needs to be accomplished by the end of the day. Always work as efficiently as possible and don’t waste time you do not have.

Focus on One Task at a Time

Handling one task at a time will give you the focus you need from start to finish. If you are thinking about more than one task, you may make a careless mistake that ends up costing you even more time. Giving your full attention to one task at a time will help you to quickly and efficiently make your way through your list.