From business plans and models to market research and even accounting, starting a new business from scratch is difficult. Lots of time, effort and investment go into launching a new company. Your ability to be efficient and planful are two essential skillsets to achieve your desired results faster. The entrepreneurial lifestyle is fast-paced, and since each of your working hours is time you are spending away from your family, you'll want to make sure you are maximizing it properly.
1. PLAN YOUR DAY
Before even getting your day started, take 20 to 30 minutes to plan what you want to achieve throughout those upcoming work hours. Then, put together a list of things you would like to get done by the end of the day and make sure you pinpoint tasks that may need your immediate attention. This way, you can prioritize but keep track of whether you are or aren’t achieving your goals for the day and ultimately for the week or month.
2. SET AN AGENDA FOR EACH MEETING OR APPOINTMENT
Meetings and calls are important but can equally be a time-consuming aspect of your day, especially if they are not conducted effectively. To make the most out of your meetings, make sure you take five minutes before every appointment to prepare. Know your agenda and what you want to get out of each meeting (even if you aren't the one running it). Write down the 3-5 outcomes or decisions you wish to capture, and before the meeting ends, check to ensure that your objectives have been achieved.
3. SCHEDULE TIME FOR BREAKS
Even though we're talking about tips on managing your time more effectively, we can't ignore how important it is to take breaks throughout your workday. You can only work tirelessly for so long, right? So with your goals in mind, make sure you take 15 to 20-minute breaks between major daily achievements. For example, use this time to stretch your legs if you've been sitting for a while. Or go for a quick walk and get your blood pumping. Studies have shown that by taking breaks, you can restore your energy level, mental capacity and reduce stress. Which, in turn, improves your performance and will help you maintain your productivity and focus throughout the rest of the day.
4. AVOID ALL DISTRACTIONS WHEN NECESSARY
It's undeniable how hard it can be to stay away from online distractions. Having so much content and information one click away makes it a lot tougher to get even the simplest things done. Fortunately, many online tools such as Freedom, Inbox Pause, or even just chrome extensions like Stay Focused can help you keep away from procrastination. If you do need to get work done immediately, putting away your smartphone also helps. 😀
5. MAKE GOOD USE OF PRODUCTIVITY APPS
Whether you're on a PC or Mac, Android or iOS, there are tons of amazing and helpful productivity apps out there to help simplify your work life. From Evernote to Trello, Any.Do, and Todoist; there's definitely one that will appeal to you and help you maximize your efficiency. And if you have a team, leveraging project management tools will enable better collaboration and help to reduce bottlenecks.
6. LEARN ABOUT YOUR OWN HABITS
ARE YOU LOOKING TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
