We all have the same 24 hours daily, but some people can do more than others in the same allotted time.
What’s their secret? They don’t have more time than anyone else; they use their time more effectively.
Here are six things you can do to get more time out of your day.
1. Delegate all non-sales-related activities.
As an entrepreneur or business owner, it can be easy to fall into the trap of trying to do everything yourself. However, this can quickly lead to burnout and a decrease in productivity. To get more time out of your day, delegate all non-sales-related activities.
This could include administrative tasks, social media management, and customer service. You can hire virtual assistants or outsource these tasks to third-party providers. By delegating these activities, you can focus on generating sales and growing your business.
It is your job to make it rain. Let your team figure out the rest, and if they can’t, could you hire better people?
“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to.” – Lao Tzu.
2. Understand that your day starts the night before.
Did you know that your morning routine starts the night before? Your morning routine sets the tone for the rest of your day. To get more time out of your day, it’s essential to understand that how you prepare for the next day can impact your productivity.
Before bed, list the tasks you need to accomplish the next day. Lay out your clothes and prepare your breakfast to save time in the morning. By starting your day with a plan, you can avoid wasting time on unimportant tasks and focus on the things that matter.
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” – Benjamin Franklin.
Yes, your spouse will look at you weirdly the first few nights, but isn’t that a plus? And at least they are looking at you 🙂
Who needs role-play when you have a pre-night ritual?
3. Work like you are going on vacation tomorrow.
My most productive time is when I am leaving for a vacation, and I have no choice on being efficient. Getting work done while you are at the airport or sitting at the beach pisses off your travel companion in no time. So you automatically go into superhero mode and start getting shit done. Your sense of urgency helps you focus and get things done quickly. Try to work like you’re on vacation tomorrow to get more time out of your day.
Set deadlines for yourself and work with a sense of urgency. Focus on the most important tasks and don’t waste time on unimportant things. You can accomplish more in less time by working with a sense of urgency.
“Amateurs sit and wait for inspiration; the rest of us just get up and go to work.” – Stephen King.
4. Buy time for yourself.
Time is a precious resource, and sometimes it’s worth spending money to buy more. If you constantly feel overwhelmed and lack time to finish everything, consider investing in things that can save you time.
This could include hiring a cleaning service, using a meal delivery service, or outsourcing your laundry. By buying time for yourself, you can focus on what matters – growing your business and spending time with your loved ones.
Once you realize what your time is worth, you will have more certainty about exchanging dollars for time. Apart from sales, all other tasks can be delegated relatively efficiently, and the people specializing in those tasks will do a better job than you.
“Time is more valuable than money. You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.” – Jim Rohn.
5. Work every day to eliminate time as an excuse.
We all have the same 24 hours daily, but some people can accomplish more than others. Don’t let time be an excuse for not achieving your goals. Instead, work every day to eliminate time as an excuse.
Look for ways to be more productive and efficient. Use tools and technology to automate tasks and save time. Focus on the things that matter and eliminate time-wasting activities.
“Don’t watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.” – Sam Levenson.
6. Spend 75% of your time generating business and 25% of your time servicing it.
As an entrepreneur or business owner, your primary goal should be to generate more business. Without a steady stream of customers, your business won’t be able to grow and thrive.
This means you should focus most of your time on marketing, sales, and business development activities. This could include networking, creating marketing campaigns, and reaching potential customers. Spending most of your time on these activities ensures your business continues growing and thriving.
However, spending time and resources serving your existing customers is still necessary.
This means responding to inquiries, providing excellent customer service, and delivering on your promises. By taking care of your current customers, you can build a loyal customer base that will continue to support your business in the long run. Existing customers are also the best new revenue source through referrals, expansion, and up-selling.
Remember to be excited about handling customer complaints. They are an excellent starting point for refining your value proposition and creating new revenue.
“Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.” – Bill Gates.
Time is a precious resource that we can’t afford to waste.
By implementing these six tips, you can get more time out of your day and be more productive and effective.
Remember to delegate non-sales related activities, understand that your day starts the night before, work like you’re going on vacation tomorrow, buy time for yourself, work every day to eliminate time as an excuse, and spend 75% of your time generating business and 25% of your time servicing it.
Good luck in achieving your goals and maximizing your time.