Getting More Done without Burning Out

At CB Business Solutions we are often asked about getting more work done without having to work more. Business owners and contractors work enough. Still, we have systems and processes that have allowed us to run two businesses at once and enjoy some good time off.

1. Scheduling: Every morning or evening (it is your choice) sit down and schedule. Planned a week prior, you already know when you have a meeting, a phone call, and a luncheon. So what else do you have to schedule? Tasks and to-do’s. Schedule your important but not urgent activities into your planner. The urgent ones get attention without being on your schedule.

2. Be a slave to your schedule: Once your tasks and to-do’s have been entered, make sure you stick to it. If you get a call, an e-mail or distraction, stick to the schedule and accomplish what you set out. Have your phone, your P.D.A. or your computer remind you of the task you need to complete. You will accomplish so much more.

3. Don’t schedule your day too tight: Many people make the mistake of jamming their schedule with 6 minute increments, and have 75 asinine tasks built in their day. Leave a half hour slot every now and then to answer e-mails, return phone calls or meet a client’s need. Then get back on schedule.

4. Double duty scheduling: If you have five clients to call and two hours of driving between jobsites combine the two. Instead of listening to commercials about the latest president’s birthday sale make those phone calls. Double up activities as much as possible.

These four tips will help you reduce your stress level and be more productive. Being a slave to this schedule will allow you freedom from feeling overwhelmed because you know what you need to do and you know exactly when, where, and how it will get done. All that’s left is the actual doing.

Now that scheduling has been covered the next topic is what to put in that schedule. So how should you spend your time to be successful?

Perhaps the most important decision of any entrepreneur is where they spend their time. Effective time management generally leads to lower stress, more confidence, clearer thinking, and of course the ability to work ‘on’ the business, not ‘in’ the business. Poor time management typically include such symptoms as high stress, the feeling of spinning your wheels and long work hours.

We recommend spending your time in the following areas:

· Running your business. It is absolutely essential that every business plans out their goals a minimum of three years in advance. Accompanying these goals should be a plan of how to get there. Doubtful many people would pack their car full of travel gear, and pull out their driveway without a road map or destination in mind. Suprisingly, this is how many businesses run.

· Your core competencies. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses. However, many people focus on improving their weak areas while neglecting improvement of strong areas because they come effortlessly (or naturally). You are weak in these areas now and probably have been your entire life. Why waste energy going against the grain? Instead, focus on improving your strength areas and hire someone else to complement you.

We recommend you do not spend your time in the following areas:

· Tasks that someone else can do. It is easy, and can be very comforting to stay busy in day to day tasks such as estimating, job site visits, picking up or ordering supplies or filing paperwork.

· Putting out fires. If you find yourself running around constantly putting out fires, it is time for change!

· Having repeat conversations with employees about mediocre performance. Hire slow and fire fast!