5 Time Management Tips For Busy Entrepreneurs
As an entrepreneur, you know that time is one of your most valuable resources. I’m sure you’ve felt like there wasn’t enough time in a day or like the day went by too fast. There are only so many hours in the day and so many days in the year, and it’s up to you to make sure that you’re getting the most out of both by taking advantage of every opportunity that comes your way. But like anything else, it’s easier said than done. I’m sure you’ve experienced being constantly pulled in different directions, and find it hard to establish a routine that works for you.
Time management is crucial if you want to be successful. And it’s not just about getting more done in less time. It’s also about setting boundaries and learning how to say no.
God wants us to be good stewards– not just over our money but also our time. Below I’ve compiled some of my personal time management tips. Follow my advice, and you’ll be able to find more peace of mind and ultimately achieve greater success.
1. Prioritize what’s most important.
When you are trying to do many things at once, it can be easy to lose sight of what is most important. This problem becomes even more complicated when your time is limited i.e. job, motherhood, wife, etc in addition to being an entrepreneur. To maximize your productivity and achieve success, you need to prioritize your tasks and goals.
Most importantly, never lose focus of the Kingdom. Matthew 6:33 AMP tells us “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness [His way of doing and being right—the attitude and character of God], and all these things will be given to you also. When you’re busy, it can be tempting to not spend time with God. However, when you feel overwhelmed, you actually should do the opposite and spend more time with God. I’ve done both and can tell the difference. Times when I felt too busy and slashed God out of my day, it was chaotic. But when I prioritized spending time with Him, my day felt like it was supernaturally extended.
2. Plan your day in advance.
Proverbs 6:6-8 tells us to look at the ways of the ant. The ant doesn’t procrastinate. The ant plans for the future. The ant does what’s necessary today to have a great tomorrow.
One of the best ways to manage your time is by planning your day the night before. This means setting aside time for specific tasks. When setting your schedule, be sure to be realistic. You don’t want to find yourself constantly overcommitted and struggling to meet your daily tasks.
Having a plan for your day helps you block out distractions by establishing clear goals for the day and limiting your exposure to potential distractions. It also helps you focus on what’s important and stay organized so that you can achieve your objectives more efficiently. Finally, having a plan for the day brings structure to your world.
3. Use effective tools like timers, calendars, and apps.
Tools like timers, calendars and apps can help you track your progress and stay on track. For example, using a timer can keep you focused during busy times by forcing you to complete tasks within a set timeframe. By providing this level of focus, the timer helps prevent distractions from taking over your mind and wasting valuable time. Calendar alerts can also remind you when important dates or deadlines are approaching, helping ensure that all of your tasks are completed on time.
Task management software, like Todoist, is also a great resource. It allows you to add all of your tasks to be completed and you can mark them off throughout the day. This can help you see your progress and ensure that nothing is forgotten.
4. Delegate tasks whenever possible so that you can focus on more important tasks.
Too often entrepreneurs feel they need to do everything themselves. This is so not time efficient and actually draining. Delegation should be your best friend.
I encourage you to make a list of all the tasks that need to be completed and rank them from most important to least important. Once you have a prioritized list, start by delegating the tasks on the bottom of the list. This is a huge time saver. Everything doesn’t have to be done by you.
5. Take care of yourself.
Balancing work and rest is essential to time management. Without taking care of yourself, it is hard to be successful as an entrepreneur. It’s important to find a balance between staying focused and enjoying yourself. Make sure you set aside time for rest and relaxation. Too often we focus all our energy on working instead of taking care of ourselves. This can lead to burnout or worse, a lack of motivation that will affect your productivity.
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Prioritize the Kingdom and self care. However, if you find yourself burnt out, remember Matthew 11:28. Jesus said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Entrepreneurship is a demanding lifestyle and proper time management is essential. By following the tips in this blog, entrepreneurs and mompreneurs can establish routines, prioritize tasks, set realistic goals and stay on track. Using effective tools like timers, calendars and apps can also help manage time more efficiently. Finally, it is important to remember to take care of oneself and delegate tasks whenever possible to maintain a healthy balance.
