If not, you’re not alone. Many small business owners feel like they’re working in their business, not on it and there never seem to be enough hours in the day.
But there are things you can do to boost your productivity and turbocharge your business success.
Here are seven ways to increase your productivity and turbocharge your business…
1. Set goals and plan ahead
What do you want to achieve in your business? In other words, what are your goals for your enterprise?
Once you know your goals, you can start to plan how to achieve them. Break down your big goals into smaller, more manageable tasks, and set deadlines for each task.
2. Be proactive
Don’t wait for problems to arise. Think about potential issues and develop strategies to deal with them before they happen. This will help you avoid wasting time and energy dealing with emergencies that could have been prevented.
3. Manage your time effectively
Time management is key to running a business as often owners are juggling competing tasks.
Track where you spend your time each week, then work out what can be eliminated or management more effectively.
When it comes to specific tasks (whether it’s returning emails, providing quotes, or balancing the books) allocate blocks of time and stick them in your schedule.
This helps you avoid distractions and allows you to focus on and finish a specific job without multitasking.
4. Seek help when you need it
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t be afraid to ask for help. You can delegate tasks to staff members or outsource when required.
5. Communicate with your staff
If you have staff, make sure they have clear job descriptions and expectations. This will help them to be more productive.
6. Start the day the night before
Take some time the night before to plan for the next day. This could include laying out your clothes, and writing a to-do list of tasks you intend to achieve. This will give you a head start on the day and help you to be more productive.
7. Design your ideal week
As important as it is to be productive in business, it’s also about creating a work/life balance, and this is where time management tools like the ideal week can assist.
An ideal week sees you map out and block time for all the things you intend to achieve in a week, ranging from work tasks to leisure time, exercise and relaxation.
Bonus tips
- Take breaks throughout the day – Get up and move around, or step outside for some fresh air.
- Get enough sleep – When you’re well-rested, you’re better able to focus and be productive.
- Embrace a healthy diet – Eating nutritious foods gives you the energy you need to power through your day.
- Exercise regularly – Exercise helps to improve your mood, reduce stress, and boost your energy levels.
The final word
With an array of competing tasks all demanding your attention, it can be easy to lose sight of the big picture for your business, and allow ‘being busy’ to get in the way of being truly productive, but by following these tips, you can become more productive and achieve your business goals.
Talk Strategy with Clive
With more than 30 years’ experience in mentoring small to medium-sized businesses around Australia. Clive works with company owners and their teams to grow their business and achieve goals through strategic coaching.
