5 Time Management Tips to Make You More Profitable
Productivity is key to making more money. The more productive you are the more profitable you are.
On the other hand, the longer it takes you to finish a task, the less money you make.
This is why it’s key to learn ways to manage your time. Here are five that will help you do just that.
1. Difficult Things First
Leaving the hardest or most difficult task for the end of the day when you are tired and stressed out is not the best use of time. Instead, jump on your most challenging project first. And promise yourself a reward when you get done. That reward could be working on the fun part of your business. And that reward will motivate you to stay on target and get the most difficult things done first.
2. Be Stingy
Don’t let other people encroach on your to-do list. And don’t let them elevate their to-do list above yours. If it is a client, again, tell them that as soon as you finish X,Y and Z (which should always be high-dollar productivity tasks), then you can help. Client emergencies will rob you of time and money. Be stingy.
3. Do Things in a Quick and Dirty Fashion
We are most productive when in 90 minute busts of work. This means you should set a timer on your phone–and then work your tail off until your time is up. The secret to this productivity trick is not getting interrupted. No phones, texts, email or Facebook. And if someone walks into your office then look at your timer and say, “I’d love to help you but give me until X.”
4. Touch It Once
One of the biggest time wasters in the world is covering tracks you’ve already covered. You can usually spot these people because their desks are piled with paperwork and their inboxes are clogged with open emails. Instead, make a decision on the spot on what you need to do with any kind of report, request, letter, email and so on. Can you throw it away? File it? Respond? Knock it out? Delegate it? Put it in a to-do pile for the following day? This will keep items from piling up on you and overwhelming you.
5. Set a Deadline with Every Expectation
First things first: make sure you and your client are on the same page by setting up expectations. Spell out exactly what you will do–and then put a time limit on it. For example, say to a client, “I will do X and Y by Z.” And expect the same from them. Say to a client, “I need you to do A and B by C. Can you do it?” If they agree, confirm it in your calendar and send a reminder email that summarizes what you agreed on.
Conclusion
Productivity and time management are all about getting work done so you can make more money. The less time you spend on a task, the higher your per hour rate will go up. That’s why it truly pays to be more effecient and effective.
What other ways have you found that help you to manage your time better?
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