Most people struggle with productivity. You start your day feeling motivated and ready for work; you begin with a plan, a to-do list, and goals to crush… but by the end of the day, you feel like you weren’t able to accomplish everything on your list.
Many business owners have an ever-growing list of tasks needed to be accomplished. There are times you might feel that your business has the potential to grow faster, if only you had more time. Unfortunately, it’s impossible to stretch time. While you’ll never going to get more than 24 hours per day, you can most certainly get more work done during the day.
All you have to do is to change your mindset and daily habits that may distract you from work. With that said, here are four time management tips to help you smash your to-do list by the end of the day.
Set Small, Realistic Goals
There are times when looking at our goals can be overwhelming. Seeing all the marks and notes on your calendar can definitely add to the stress we often feel. It helps to breakdown your goals into smaller, more attainable tasks. You’ll feel more in control of your day and you’ll most likely be more productive. Instead of jotting down ‘finish project by Feb. 16’ you can break this down into smaller tasks. In this way, you’ll be more focused on the tasks at hand instead of stressing over your packed schedule.
Don’t Multitask
No matter how tempting it might be, do not multitask because it simply does not work. Earl K. Miller, a neuroscience professor, said that “multitasking is not humanely possible.” Answering emails, eating lunch, and creating presentation all at once won’t work. You’re setting yourself up for errors. It’s better to focus on one task at a time and you’ll be able to finish it faster.
Prioritize The Biggest Tasks
Most of the times we delay doing big tasks because we’re not confident that we could actually accomplish them. By the time we decide to do these tasks, we’re too burned out to give it much attention. It’s important that you identify when and how you work best so you’ll be able to work and finish big projects on time.
Take a Break, You Deserve It
It’s easy to assume that working longer hours is equal to getting more work done. While this may be true for some, most people never work well when they’re burned out. Research shows that regular breaks will help boost your mood and improve concentration. If you can, take a quick walk around the office or go out for a mid-afternoon coffee run to reset your mind.
As a business owner, there are many ways you can increase workplace productivity. You can utilize various online tools to help you and your employees work more efficiently; provide healthy office snacks to avoid that afternoon slump from all the sugar; or even create a comfortable break room for your employees.
Don’t let insufficient cashflow hinder you from increasing workplace productivity. SMB Compass offers various loan programs for businesses all over the United States – yours included! Don’t hesitate to contact us by phone at (646) 569-9496 or email us at info@smbcompass.com.
