When I think of my most valuable resource, I think of time. As you know, being your own boss means that sometimes you work more than you ever did as an employee. At some point, though, you need to recapture your time.
You can’t get time back once it’s passed. You can’t get back missed memories and opportunities. On top of that, optimizing your time can lead to better business outcomes. Don’t let everything you have to do take over your life. Here are a few tips you can use to recapture your time:
Use the 80/20 Rule to Focus on What’s Important
First of all, you need to figure out which items are the best use of your time. The 80/20 rule can help you figure this out. Chances are, 80% of your results will come from 20% of the things you do. Find out what those items are and focus on them.
Rather than doing what won’t advance your business or yield the best results, consider outsourcing. For example, you can probably have someone else manage your social media or take care of your taxes. These are important tasks, but they can be tedious and time-consuming — and draw your attention away from the big-picture things that help your business more.
Do what’s most important, outsource what you can, and then enjoy some of your free time.
Schedule Your Time Off
If you’re like me, the calendar rules your life. Unfortunately, it’s easy for your time to get filled up as people add to your calendar. I like to block off time every so often. This can be a great way to recapture your time. Make it clear that you are unavailable during certain hours so that you can relax, actually enjoy a vacation, or just spend time at home with your family.
When you schedule this time, it puts it in your calendar and ensures that you prioritize it.
Block Off Work Time
Maybe you’re working on something important, but team members and others keep interrupting you. It can be hard to stay focused and accomplish what you want. Next thing you know, you’re working late — again.
Just as you schedule time off, it also makes sense to block out dedicated work time. Figure out when you are most productive and effective, and then block off two or three hours for work. Make it clear that you don’t want to be interrupted during that time. You’ll be able to get more work done, and that means more time later to take care of other things.
Find a Time Management Technique that Works for You
There are a number of techniques and theories that can help you recapture your time. Look into different techniques and find one that appeals to you, and that works with your style and preferences. Once you figure out what works for you, and you get a system you can stick to, you have a better chance of accomplishing more in your business — and enjoying your life once you get your time back.
