Got time?

Got time?

Are you stressed? Not enough minutes in the day to handle all your tasks and still spend quality time with the family?

You’re running your own business and time is money. Still – even with modern technology and automatization time has become a luxury for many of us technology professionals. Time becomes more crucial when you’re being self-employed. You’re not being paid when not working and to maximize your revenue it is important to get most out of the day.

It is never too early to start being more efficient and to work with the time that you have. Maybe there is a way that you do not have to work longer hours, but to squeeze more value out of the available time.

1) Learn to say “No”. Put a value on your time. Sometimes it is just not worth doing certain things when being asked. it may sound rude, but saying “No” to a problem client can save you a lot of time.

2) Delegate. If you have employees you hired them for a reason. Make sure they do the work you imagined them to do. Don’t spend your own time on something you hired somebody for.

3) Set priorities – daily! Every morning set up a list of the 3 most important things that need to be done that day. At the end of the day those 3 things NEED to be done.

4) Don’t travel. If you can use phone, email, IM, or fax to get something done – don’t travel. Do not leave the office for tasks that can be taken care of remotely. Even driving 15 minutes (one-way) to meet a potential web design client can be a waste of time. If you really need to meet with somebody – prepare yourself properly. Your time to travel needs to be as efficient as possible. Ask better questions over the phone before going somewhere.

5) Be prepared. Prepare yourself for situations like talking to your banker or the new client. A meeting can only be really successful if you are fully prepared.

6) Do less things that don’t work. You will have much more time when you eliminate the work and tasks and do not deal with people that take up your time, but do not generate return of investment.

7) Do more things that work. Identify the activities, projects, people that generate the highest return on your time.

8) Do less meetings. Meetings can be productive. But often meetings are an excuse not to do real hands-on work. Fewer meetings can increase productivity.