Obtain Maximum Results For Your Small Business Through Better Time Management

Most small business owners are faced with so many responsibilities and an unbelievable workload throughout the day. Mainly because of the many different roles that we have to play. On any given day a small business owner must be a customer service representative, collections specialist, marketing specialist, public relations representative, and the list continues. It's enough to drive the average person crazy. But we small business owners are made of a different stock yet still we succumb to normal, everyday pitfalls caused by poor time management. Poor time management can severely negatively impact your business through lost sales and disgruntled customers. A small business owner can't afford either.

First, whatever you are using as an organizer stick to it. A pocketsize organizer or palm pilot can do wonders. But they don't work on their own. They are only of use if you regularly enter your data and continuously review what you've entered.

Once you've decided which type of organizer will work best for you, begin the habit of entering tasks on a regular basis. For example, each Monday you could enter all new tasks that you know of for the upcoming few weeks. As the week progresses you may would add new tasks and remove completed ones. To truly make this system effective, you should begin and each day with a review of your tasks. This helps to keep you on schedule and minimizes the chances that you'll become overwhelmed with all you have to do as a small business owner.

Here are some steps you may want to take when creating and reviewing your weekly schedule:

  • Prioritize: Determine which tasks require your immediate attention and schedule your days accordingly.
  • Break down tasks: To ensure you reach your due dates, break down larger tasks. Breaking down tasks also works for any responsibilities that you may not be looking forward to such as collection or sales calls.
  • Reevaluate start and finish dates (keep them realistic): Enter realistic finish and start dates and work on completing your tasks a little each day.
  • Reward yourself: Rewarding yourself with a break or some other personal incentive can keep you motivated throughout the week.
  • Set limits: Determine how many hours per day you can devote to your small business. Schedule your daily task list accordingly.
  • Avoid negative thinking: If you miss a due date, it's not the end of the world nor is it a reason to succumb to frustration. Simply, use tips two and three of this list to begin the process again. Also, try to determine what prevented you from reaching your due date so you can avoid similar mistakes in the future.

    • Remember, with any plan, the key is consistency. Your success solely depends on you. Unlike most people, you don't have a nagging boss telling you what to do and when (one of the many benefits of small business ownership) but it could also cause problems if you haven't learned to manage your time well. So maintain your positive outlook in order to reach your daily goals.

    Copyright © 2005 Rhonda Winn - All Rights Reserved. Rhonda Winn has been helping small business owners since 2000. She is the author of the popular eBook, "How to Live Your Dreams and Achieve Unlimited Wealth in Small Business" Receive the first chapter free, when you join her bi-monthly newsletter today: SmallBizStartupKit.com. Her site contains dozens of free downloads, articles, forums, resources, journals, and more.

    You are free to publish this article as long as the content remains unchanged and copyright notice and byline is not removed from article.

    In The News:

    pen paper and inkwell


    cat break through


    Do You Want Your Own Fully Programmable ERP? - Part 3

    Continuing from the second article:6. About the aground mathematical model,... Read More

    7 Essentinal Resources for Small Business

    So you want to start a business but you don't... Read More

    Street Wars Between Mobile Car Washers and Mobile Auto Detailers

    There is much competition in the mobile auto detailing business.... Read More

    How to Prepare for Your Start-Up Venture!

    When you awoke this morning, you found yourself buzzing with... Read More

    Marketing - The Way To Make What Youre Really Worth

    You only have so much time in a day right?So... Read More

    Business Pain Defined

    Every company has business pain, but the pain does not... Read More

    Challenging the Gospel of Growth -- Must Business Grow to Survive?

    A cherished business doctrine is that growth must be a... Read More

    11 MONSTROUS Small Business Marketing Mistakes and How To Avoid Them

    Increase your profit potential by identifying ? and avoiding ?... Read More

    Truck Wash Business Case Study

    Often smart entrepreneurs look for out of the way businesses,... Read More

    How To Accept Credit Cards

    If you plan to do business online, then your website... Read More

    Do You Really Need a Toll-Free Number for Your Business?

    Do You Really Need a Toll-Free Number for Your Business?... Read More

    5 Small Business Management Questions to Help Choose Marketing Programs

    As small business managers, we juggle limited resources in a... Read More

    Build Credibility, Value, and Trust on a Shoestring

    Setting priorities in your business? Your first job is to... Read More

    Entrepreneurs Ask: What Can a Virtual Assistant Do For Me?

    Great question!Freeing your time is an indisputably key element in... Read More

    Money Series 1: Who Takes Your Money

    Your business is making profits, but where is the cash?... Read More

    Pressure Washing Heavy Equipment

    One of the best ways to make money in the... Read More

    Arent Small Businesses Lucky?

    Why? Because they have access to world class public relations... Read More

    How to Wash Mobile Homes as a Business

    Washing manufactured homes, mobile homes, can be a lucrative and... Read More

    Top Ten Resolves for Building Your Business in 2005

    1. Resolve to build a consistent network system.Since referrals are... Read More

    Pressure Washing Business; Steam Cleaner Fuel Maintenance

    It is essential that you fully understand how the fuel... Read More

    Q and A: Personalized Birthday Cards from Paul Leonard

    Paul Leonard's BirthdayCards2Go.com paid greeting card service offers convenience when... Read More

    Pet Grooming Business

    Do you like animals? Would you like to work for... Read More

    Business Checks are an Added Cost to Your Small Business - Try Making Them Yourself!

    Starting and managing a small business is no fun chore,... Read More

    The Wrap on Ag Plastic

    While driving through Pennsylvania farmland, you have probably noticed an... Read More

    Shortcuts Will Kill Your Business

    Think of your business as a living, breathing, organism. It... Read More

    Smart PR Tactics for Small Businesses

    Small businesses need Public Relations, possibly more than large corporations,... Read More

    Bogus Investor and Consumer Complaints and Consumer Misrepresentation

    Like most regulatory bodies in the United States, the Federal... Read More

    Franchise Company Operations Manual Sample Outline

    Many companies wish to expand and a few wish to... Read More

    Is Your Small Business Name Important?

    You bet a name is important. Many small business owners... Read More

    The Types of Skip Trace Accounts

    First, we need to define the different kinds of skip... Read More

    Keeping a Partnership ALIVE and THRIVING

    What are the best methods for keeping a good business... Read More

    Small Business No How - Dont Give Away the Farm

    You're pretty proud of yourself! After all, only four months... Read More

    Pressure Washing Graders and Tractor Motors

    When pressure washing heavy equipment each piece of equipment has... Read More