It happens to the best of us. You get so wrapped up in completing one task that before you know it, the day is over and you still have countless items left on your to-do list. Before you let your tasks take control of your day again, remember these helpful time-management techniques.
A. Block Time Off on Your Calendar
Spend five minutes each morning thinking about three concrete things that you want to accomplish each day. Make a list on a piece of paper or a whiteboard, as long as it's visible. Then figure out what time you will accomplish each task, and block that time off in your calendar. - Lisa Curtis, Kuli Kuli
A. Stack Your Appointments
When you're running a business, you wear many hats. That often means your calendar fills up with lots of different appointments. Stacking your appointments back-to-back will naturally create blocks of time when you're available to "meet" yet set boundaries with yourself, your team, and your clients so you have time to "do" too. - Laurie Davis, eFlirt
A. Say "No" and Delegate
Say "no" to sideline projects, and delegate tasks. As much as I would love to be able to do all sorts of things, time is valuable and prioritizing is of the utmost importance. Work smarter, not harder. Becoming comfortable delegating work can be a life saver. Saving time can be anything from scheduling posts to hiring a housekeeper. Every bit helps. - Jessica Baker, Aligned Signs
A. Set a Maximum Number of Tasks Each Day
Limiting the amount of tasks that you do every day is a great way to improve efficiency. Instead of skipping around a list, you can just decide on several key tasks to complete and finish well. This allows you to finish the majority of your work in the least amount of time. - Ajmal Saleem, Suprex Learning
A. Don't Put Off the Little Things
I have a rule: If a task will take under two minutes to complete, do it immediately. Most people are guilty of putting off small tasks because they think they can do them whenever. However, those tasks tend to be put off repeatedly because they take such little effort. You'd be surprised at how accomplished you'll feel by just going ahead and sending that email or scheduling that meeting. - Joshua Moe, Odigia
A. Start Your Day With a Workout
The first few hours of the day have an enormous impact on your time management and productivity for the day. Start your day with a great workout. It will clear your mind so you can focus, organize and prioritize your day effectively. - Nadia Hansen, Result Logix
A. Master the Art of Single-Tasking
Multitasking is common in the workplace, but doing too many things at once makes it impossible to get anything done. Combat this by mastering the art of single-tasking: focusing on one task at a time. Put away your phone and close any tabs on your browser that are not related to the task at hand. Now focus solely on what you are doing. You will find that you work much more efficiently. - Priya Thatte, Digital Umami
These answers are provided by members of FounderSociety, an invitation-only organization comprised of ambitious startup founders and business owners.