We have all said it; there are never enough hours in the day. As a business owner I know I appreciate the value of time, but with increasing workloads and pressure to be successful, what would you do with another 60 minutes in your day?
Exercise more, learn a new language, write your novel and cook gourmet meals are a few of the possible things you could do.
But here is the thing.
Every year, in the UK in October, you do get an extra hour. It’s called Daylight Saving Time and what do we accomplish? I am going to generalise a little here but I would guess, not a great deal.
Why?
Simply put we are not organised. The fact is, there are enough hours in the day to accomplish a great deal – we just don’t manage our time. We don’t lack time, we just don’t seize the hours we already have.
Time and tide wait for no man.
Geoffrey Chaucer’s famous saying could not be more right. Time passes, even when we haven’t made up our mind what to do with it. What you need to do is workout how to get the best use of your time and the good news is, that’s something I can help with.
Here are 3 methods I use to win back at least an hour every single day.
1. Be honest with yourself
When you say ‘I can’t do that’ what you are really saying is, ‘that is not important enough for me to take action’. If you wanted to do something you would. If you do not it is because you do not want to.
As an example, at this time of year many business people promise to improve their client relationships, to reconnect if you will. However the number one excuse people give when they don’t achieve it is lack of time.
In reality though, with CRM systems reminding us of the need to interact and email, SMS, social media and networking events as a means to do it, there is plenty of time and opportunity, but we choose to prioritise other things. Appreciating this is your choice will help you correct this balance.
2. Learn to say no
Spreading yourself too thinly is another way we loose time. This year, try saying no. You may find, as many other people do, that it is quite liberating. There is nothing wrong in building in a little downtime to your week or thinking time in your day. It will help you recuperate and be more productive when you are back at work.
Saying no could come in many different forms. It could be not releasing another new product or making yourself available for an extra curricular work related project.
3. Use help if you can get it
One of the golden rules of teamwork is delegation. If you don’t have a team though, completing more mundane tasks can take up valuable time that could be better spent elsewhere.
Whether it is researching a topic, managing your diary or booking travel arrangements there are plenty of sources of help available. Virtual Services like our own enable busy business people to get more from their day with Administration, Despatch or Marketing.
If you would prefer to spend your time on meaningful things, whether that is in the office growing your business or even at home with the kids, consider giving them a try.
To make Number 3 more attractive, in January we are running a competition with a special prize.
If you are new to NMT, tell us what you would do with an extra hour everyday and we will grant the best their wish by giving them 60 minutes on our Business Assistant Service, absolutely free to use during the workday.
Email the team with your entry.
Until next time
Mike.
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