From Chaos to Control: Time Management Tips
Whether you own your business or work in one, you practice time management.
We all have the same amount of hours in the day, but being in control of how we spend that time is the difference between being good, and being great.
So this month for our spotlight we’ve asked Tam to share some of her time management tips. To help you shift from chaos to control … or from control to even better control!
Tam's Tips
As someone who has worked closely with a number of powerhouse entrepreneurs, I understand that your time is precious and often stretched thin between numerous tasks and responsibilities. As a Virtual Business Manager (VBM), my goal is to help you regain control of your time and focus on what truly matters – driving your business onward and upward.
I’m thrilled to share three proven and invaluable tips plus a thought-provoking question that can potentially completely change the way you manage your time and maximise your productivity.
TIP 💡
Embrace Efficiency with the Eisenhower Matrix
Let’s start with a game-changer: the Eisenhower Matrix. This tool is your ticket to prioritising tasks like a pro. Visualised as a 2×2 grid, the matrix classifies tasks based on their urgency and importance.
Here’s how it works:
Quadrant 1 (Urgent and Important):These tasks require immediate attention. Tackle them head-on to avoid crises.
Quadrant 2 (Not Urgent but Important): Long-term strategies, personal development, and proactive planning reside here. Allocate ample time for these tasks to prevent them from becoming urgent.
Quadrant 3 (Urgent but Not Important): Delegate or minimise these tasks. They eat up time without contributing significantly to your goals.
Quadrant 4 (Not Urgent and Not Important): Think distractions and time-wasters. Aim to eliminate or limit these.
By identifying tasks in each quadrant, you can streamline your efforts, focusing on what matters most while reducing time spent on less impactful activities.
TIP 💡
Elevate Through Delegation: Trust Your VBM
You’ve built your business from the ground up, and that deserves huge respect. However, it’s important to recognise that you can’t do it all. The “Delegate and Elevate” principle emphasises entrusting tasks to capable hands, freeing you to concentrate on your strengths and vision. As Virtual Business Managers, we’re here to amplify your efficiency and effectiveness.
Consider this: by passing on tasks that consume your time but don’t demand your expertise, you empower yourself to excel in areas that truly define your business, and more importantly – that you enjoy doing!
TIP 💡
Guard Your Time, Embrace Your Role
Ever feel like you’re trapped in an endless cycle of meetings and email exchanges? It’s time to reclaim your schedule. Protecting your time means safeguarding your ability to generate ideas and steer your business towards growth. While meetings and emails are crucial, they shouldn’t be all-consuming. If you can’t avoid a busy day of online meetings, ensure you have some buffer time after every meeting to ensure you can note down any follow up, or make yourself a cup of coffee.
Allocate specific blocks of time for meetings and email communication. Outside of these slots, engage in strategic thinking and big-picture planning. This shift empowers you to operate within your brilliance, nurturing your business’s core vision.
QUESTION ❓
Revolutionise Your Decisions: “Yes” vs. “No”
Before you commit to any new task, project, or obligation, pause and ask yourself: “If I say yes to this, what am I saying no to?”
This question is a game-changer for decision-making. Every “yes” carries an implicit “no.” eg. If I say yes to this late meeting, does that mean I’m saying no to bedtime with my kids? By evaluating the trade-offs, you ensure that your time investments align with your priorities.
Your Turn!
Look at your to-do list.
How many of the tasks can only be done by you?
How many of the tasks have a direct impact on your business development?
Now delegate, automate, systemise or delete all tasks except those only you can do, that will drive your business forward.
