Time Management Tips: Spend Less Time on Daily Tasks
by Alian Software Collaborator
Time management is so important! How much time do you spend answers emails, posting on social media, and managing other tedious tasks? How often do those mundane, administrative tasks take away from time that could be spent growing your business or making your art? How many of those routine tasks could actually be done by someone else? Too many small business owners and makers spend too much time working on tasks that other people could do for them. Successful makers have systems in place that help them manage their time. They use their time wisely, specifying when they are making art, growing their business, and taking time to relax and enjoy life. If you find that you are too busy doing things that are maintaining your business, not growing it, then you need to manage your time better than you are now.
Hire An Assistant
If you can afford it, then by all means, hire someone to help you with administrative tasks. Give someone else the job of answering emails, organizing order, posting on social media, and shipping your product. It might take some time to find and train the best candidate, but in the long run, it’s worth every minute.
Analyze a Typical Day
If you cannot afford to hire an administrative assistant, then you need to figure out how to manage your time so you can do what is best for your business. Choose an average day and document all of the things you do. Include the time you spend on each task. You will quickly be able to see where you are wasting time. Then, you can make changes so you use your time wisely. The only way you make money is by selling your art and you need to have time to make it so you can sell it. You will need to prioritize your time so you are doing what is best for your business.
Create Policies and Stick to Them
If you work with an assistant or you work on your own, create a system of policies. Your policies can be about time management - when and how you reply to emails, days that you ship, and what happens you get extremely busy, for example. You can find sample policies from other businesses if you need examples. By following your official policies, your business should run smoothly and you should actually have time to accomplish your goals.
Focus on Building Your Business
Instead of spending so much time on emails and social media, focus on growing your business. You know your business better than anyone else, so you are the best person to contact potential customers and retailers. You are also the best person to spend time making more products. When you balance your life, you will actually perform better when you are at work. Take time for yourself and your family so you can be the best maker you can be. What do you do to balance your personal and work life? Let us know by leaving a comment below.
