Welcome to the third and final segment of the series “How to Keep Your Business Going While on Vacation”. You can find Part 1 and Part 2 on this blog. This series is a guide to help entrepreneurs navigate how to take time off and keep their businesses running smoothly.
In this segment we’re going to discuss time management and how you can save time and prevent wasting time during your workday so that you are more productive. During the summer months it’s easy to get distracted with anything besides work. If you log onto social media, you see images of friends taking vacations and people spending time with their families. It’s easy to slip into daydreaming and wishful thinking about where you would rather be than stuck in your office working.
One of the keys to being able to reward yourself with time off to take vacations, is to manage your time appropriately and effectively while you’re working so that you can maximize every hour that is dedicated to work. Below are some recommendations for how you can manage your time better.
Use Must Do lists instead of To-Do Lists. A daily list that reminds you of things that absolutely must get done is more effective than a long drawn-out list of things you only hope to be able to do.
Set Priorities and Keep Them. If you set priorities for the day or week, you are more likely to complete what is most important. Complete revenue generating tasks first before you do administrative or operational items.
Maximize Technology. Use products to keep you in touch and aware of what’s going on while you’re away from the office. Most smart phones and tablets give you access to Wi-Fi and it’s easy to use these resources to check and respond to email while you’re on the go.
Stay Organized. Use electronic tools like Evernote to document important things you should remember. Use an electronic calendar like CalendarWiz to keep up with important tasks or meetings. Never forget your next meeting and schedule appointments using an on-line manager like TimeTrade.
Outsource & Delegate. Don’t try to do everything and wear yourself out. Use other people to help you get important tasks done and complete projects. There are a host of professionals on Elance.com that are looking for work. And if you’re on a budget you can always contact the professionals on Fiverr.com who work for less.
Automate. When you’re short on time, there’s nothing better than automating things to run on autopilot. This means you must systematize your business. When you create systems to get things done easier and faster you are more productive. Try using an email system that sends out your correspondence by scheduling. There are so many things that you can use simple auto-responders that free up your schedule a bit and don’t keep you pinned to a desk.
As you can see, there are many ways you can save time throughout your daily routine. Remember operating your business more effectively on an on-going basis will enable you to take time off and reward yourself with vacations when you need to get away.
Now over to you…how do you manage your time in your business so that you take time off? What time management strategies can you share with me?
Leave a comment below. I’d love to read your input.
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This article is written by Dr. Lori A. Manns. Want to use this article for your website, blog or newsletter? No problem. Here’s what you must include: Dr. Lori A. Manns, CEO of Quality Media Consultant Group, a business consultancy firm specializing in advertising, media and sales solutions for your optimal success. Dr. Lori is the founder of the Trailblazer Business Academy;™ where purpose-driven entrepreneurs go to learn next level strategies to grow their businesses, and the Sponsorship Sales Secrets System;™ that shows you how to get more sponsors and sales for your business, guaranteed. To book consulting services on marketing, advertising/media, or sales strategies and learn how to increase your revenue and grow your business; please visit www.qualitymediaconsultants.com.