 | FIVE TOP TIPS FOR GOOD TIME MANAGEMENT | | | | | Are you feeling a little overwhelmed? | Posted by Kirsty Parris on 06/01/2012 @ 08:00 |
Every small business owner is bombarded with information from every direction. From email to phone calls to urgent jobs, it is very easy to lose your concentration and reduce your overall efficiency. So how do you get rid of the distractions and just get on with the task at hand?
 are you feeling a little overwhelmed with your to do list?
There are many ways you can streamline your workflow and get the important income producing tasks completed first. Whether you are part of a team or working solo, good time management is a vital skill for anyone needing to keep their concentration throughout the day.
Here are a few tips to help you become a more effective time manager in 2012:
- Create a daily "to-do" list - Your list should ideally be broken down into "income producing" and "non-income producing" items. Within these categories you should have "must do" and "like to get done" items. You should try to delegate the non-income producing tasks and also create a separate schedule for working "on the business" rather than "in the business".
- Taking on too much - You should avoid taking on more work than you can feasibly complete. If you need to get more done, you may need to consider hiring additional staff. In general, people work best when they are giving 100% of their focus and attention to any given task. Whether that is replying to an email or writing a pitch document, multi-tasking can lead to mistakes. Instead, follow your "to-do" list and complete each item, one at a time.
- Manage distractions - Whether it is avoiding too many encounters with an overly "chatty" colleague or setting your phone to voicemail in order to complete an important task, you should manage distractions in order to minimise time wastage. A major culprit is email. You should set aside designated time for email and avoid checking your email if you are in the middle of a particularly important task.
- Take breaks - If you don't take breaks you will lose concentration and the quality of your work will suffer. Putting in more hours does not mean you are working more effectively. Instead, work smart, manage your time and allow your body sufficient time to recover. If you take breaks regularly (10 minutes for a coffee in the morning and the afternoon, lunch hour, etc) you will allow your body and mind to relax. As a result, when you return to your desk you will be able to continue to perform at a high level.
- Work life balance - Sometimes we forget that we "work to live, not live to work". Therefore it is important to schedule time out. The healthier you are, the harder you can work. To perform at a high level day in day out, you need to maintain your body and mind. Ensure you allow enough time to eat, sleep and enjoy life outside the office.
Ii you can prioritise your tasks, learn to say "no" when needed, manage your distractions and take regular breaks to ensure you keep your focus then you'll find your work-life balance becomes more harmonious and your to-do list reduces quickly and efficiently.
At Ad Valorem we ensure that all of these tips are followed by every member of our team. We promote a healthy work-life balance for all of our staff. If you're feeling a little snowed under then give me a call on +44 (0) 1908 219100 and we can talk through a few simple changes you can make that I know will help you.
Until next time ... 
KIRSTY PARRIS
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 | Kirsty is Partner of Ad Valorem Sales & Marketing LLP, a sister company of Chartered Certified Accountants, Ad Valorem.
Within Ad Valorem Sales & Marketing, Kirsty works very closely with clients on a consultancy basis, helping them grow and develop their business. By focusing on marketing, systems, people and processes Kirsty enables clients to achieve both their personal and business goals.
Anything you want to know about Ad Valorem Kirsty is the person to speak to its a case of dont ask Jeeves ask Kirsty! Kirsty is a good listener; with excellent communication skills. She prides herself on her swift response to all client queries, either offering clear, concise advice or ensuring that any issue is dealt with promptly.
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