Whatever your job, solopreneur or employee, you only have 24 hours a day to achieve something. I’ve had line management jobs where finding the time for a bathroom break is a major issue! I know there are plenty of people in that same situation today.
When we talk about our time, what we really mean is what we get done in that time.
Time management is about managing your personal energy and working as effectively as possible.
That 24 hours is all you have to work, rest and play. You do need time to recharge your personal energy through sleep, through personal relationships and a change of scenery helps sometimes.
Are you one of those people working regular 70 hour weeks? I understand why you do it. There is always more to do and in today’s economic climate it takes much more work to get a sale.
You can outsource the tasks which are not your core expertise. You can recruit someone to help you. Whichever you do, make sure the extra help works for you: your life becomes easier, you have more time, you don’t lose more time managing the person who is supposed to be a help.
There are things you can do to preserve your energy levels throughout your day. Most people would find it daunting to work for several hours at one task without a break. Divide your time up into cycles: 20-to-90-minute cycles depending on you and your energy level. Find your own natural rhythm across the day.
I find “To do” lists compulsory and paper ones at that. I don’t need any excuses to fiddle around on my computer or phone to update my online “To do” lists. Computers are a huge productivity boosting tool of course but also a great drain on energy. A computer lets you be busy so you are content you are working even though what you are doing is not important and shouldn’t be done now.
Email is a particular problem. Unless you genuinely have messages that need an immediate response leave your email until you have completed your priorities for the day.
Make time for your personal life or one day you will find your kids have grown up and left home.