8 Ways to Get More Done as a Small-Business Owner

Entrepreneurs everywhere face a similar challenge each day: it seems there’s always more to do than time in which to do it. The good news is that since all of us are working on a time-management and productivity equation, there’s plenty of good advice to go around.

Only 33% of business owners want to grow their businesses which means managers and owners needs to be as productive as possible.  Consider these eight tips from professionals and experts.

1. Batch similar tasks.

Getting into a groove counts for a lot, when it comes to making the most of your task list. Erica Duran, a business-productivity expert, suggests grouping similar to-dos — think: e-mail, writing, managing social media, and phone calls, for example — into separate chunks of time.

“If you stop and start different things, you lose momentum by switching gears,” she said.

2. Tackle your toughest task in the morning.

“Mark Twain once said, ‘if you eat a frog first thing in the morning, nothing else will seem that bad for the rest of the day’,” noted Anne Grady, entrepreneur and expert in the field of personal and organizational transformation. “So every morning, before you check your social media or read your e-mails, pick your most difficult task of the day —your frog — and get it done.”

Even if you can’t see that particular item all the way through, you’re starting your workday with another small victory of the productive kind. And that’s a recipe for success in the time-management realm.

3. Track task time: plan empirically.

The time it takes you to do a task, today, helps you to predict the time it’ll take to knock off that same item the next time around. David Ring, product marketing manager at Computer Market Research, makes “a list of everything I have accomplished during the week. I also include an estimate of how long it took me. This way, if I need to do that task again, I have a good idea of how much time to budget for it.”

4. Demand quality; review less.

Quality is always important, but when it comes to the routine and non-critical work of your employees — let them prove their worth. If their output doesn’t measure up to the standard barring your review and revision, it could be time to address the potential of a deeper workplace problem with that individual.

5. Focus your efforts, declare small victories.

Multi-tasking doesn’t merit a badge of honor; it often cuts into your sense of accomplishment. “When you’re checking your e-mail, responding to a text message, and reading a news article all at once, you’ll feel overwhelmed,” said Dr. Jenny Yip, an expert on anxiety and productivity. Instead, focus on earning one small victory at a time, building up the momentum and positive reinforcement that will carry you through to the end of your list.

6. Keep your employees motivated

One of the best ways to motivate your employees is by first providing them with the right insurance protection. This can help increase morale and satisfaction. For instance, providing quality workers compensation insurance can communicate that you care about your workers safety. This can then translate into harder work and more productivity for your business in the long run.

Another strategy for motivating employees is to recognize their achievements regularly. You can do this through congratulatory letters and emails that highlight their impact on your business. Some other strategies for motivating employees include:

• Offering employee rewards
• Allowing them to work flexible schedules
• Giving them room to grow and learn new skills

7. Breaks are part of being productive.

We are not machines. And, especially if we work with them all day, breaks restore focus and energy to our bodies and minds. You can’t be at your best if you’re feeling run down. “If you are sitting at a computer for most of the day, take occasional breaks,” said Dr. Jan Yager, time management consultant, “even if it’s five to 10 minutes, to increase your productivity and decrease your propensity for mistakes or accidents.”

8. Make a list for tomorrow.

Finally, at the end of every day — after you’ve batched and tracked, delegated and focused — make a short-list of three to six top tasks for the next day. Start with those. Sometimes pick the hardest of them to do first.