When it comes to business, and you are completely wrapped up in sales targets, long-term marketing plans and a to-do list as long as your arm, it becomes difficult to remember that time is more valuable than money. Working harder and faster and setting yourself unrealistic targets will not make you more money- you will just wind up stressed and spending your time unproductively. Being busier will ultimately result in a loss of money rather than again.
Here are 3 efficient strategies you should think about implementing when you are working to the point of exhaustion.
Use your Time Wisely
Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day- it’s up to you to decide how you spend it. It’s all too easy to waste a day away and put off doing something you’ve been meaning to do, but these hours add up. If you used every hour, of every day wisely, imagine how much you could achieve. Normally, if you would get up at 7 am, try getting up at 6 am, or even 5 am. Those extra few hours, if used productively, will allow you to get so much more work done. At first, you might find it difficult getting up earlier, but your body clock will soon adjust and you will realize how much of advantage you have getting up at that earlier time. Just think, Steve Jobs, Richard Branson and Mark Zuckerberg are all allocated the same 24 hours- if they can do it why can’t you?
Focus on the Right Tasks
It is important to manage your time well and to focus your attention on the right tasks. When things get busy it is easy to get distracted from the tasks with the most pressing deadlines. Learn to prioritize your tasks- write a list every day of what needs to get done, starting with the most pressing matters. Although there will be tasks that require a lot more of your attention, if you start with these, you will be in danger of running out of time and not getting everything else finished, or done to a good standard.
Learn to Say No
To be successful, means you have to start saying no to the people and opportunities that are not going to be rewarding for your business. Just because something sounds good, doesn’t mean it is going to be great- focus your attention on the opportunities that you know are going to be worth your time. Also remember that as a leader you have the option to delegate the smaller tasks to your employees in order to focus on the bigger, more time-consuming tasks.
These are just 3 tips to consider when you are next at work and bombarded with a pile of tasks. Remember that working harder and faster to the point of exhaustion will not make you more money- it is unproductive and a stressful way to work. Start your day early and use your time wisely. Prioritise your tasks and focus on the ones that are most important.
How are you prioritizing your day?
