In the past year, we’ve all had to work creatively and flexibly, with schools and daycares closed and many people working remotely. That’s why planning and scheduling are critical skills for small business owners.

I’m often asked how I handle planning and scheduling myself and what tips and tricks there are to making sure everything on my to-do list gets accomplished. Managing your time effectively is key to balancing your work and your life and this is where planning and scheduling come into play.

Here are three things I do to manage my time effectively, get my work done and have a little fun with my grandchildren each day.

Map out your day

I go into each day with a solid plan, or road map, so I know what to expect and how to fit everything in. I’m a list maker so I always have a running to-do list. I try to schedule my calls and meetings for my longer work days so they are always at the same general time. That way, I can focus on the task at hand and not be distracted.

Do revenue generating work first

You are in business for yourself to make money, so your focus should always be on doing revenue generating work first – before any other task or duty. Revenue generating work depends on your business, but is generally: Attending networking events, making sales calls or posting on social media/reaching out to your target audience.

Take breaks

This might sound counterintuitive, but we all need to schedule in downtime so we can come back to work refreshed and ready to go. I am much more productive if I have a break – and it helps my family know what to expect too. Schedule an hour or two in the afternoon with your family to have some downtime. Book it like a meeting and then unplug and relax. That way, when you have to get back to work that evening, you’ll have a renewed focus and less guilt about getting the job done.

YMT Consultants

At YMT Consultants, we believe in the power of small business. We partner with clients to develop and implement a plan of action so small business owners can grow and achieve their goals. Want to learn more? Contact us today.