Time Management Tips

 Business Owner Time Management Tips

More than money, more than knowledge, even more than passion and purpose, I have noticed that the number one challenge for any successful business owner is time. There never seems to be enough time to accomplish all the things we need to do get done in a day. Sometimes it even feels like the harder we work, the further we fall behind!

I spent weeks researching time management tips, only to discover that the topic has become very commercialized. Everything seemed to center around buying some sort of magical cure that would suddenly leave me with all sorts of extra time in my day. What I really wanted to find were some proven time management tips that would work for regular everyday people like you and me.

I set out on my quest to find ways to shave time off of those daily routines that rob so much of our time from actually being productive. It suddenly dawned on me that the best way to find out what works for people was to come straight out and ask them.

I asked a group of small business owners to share their favorite time management tips with us. The results of that request have been phenomenal. I learned that perhaps the key is not in how much time we have, but how we choose to use that time. These time management tips provide solid solutions to some common time wasters in our day.

SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

Texas Web Designer and SEO Training Specialist
Owner GNC Web Creations and Mississippi Photo Gallery

My favorite time management tip is a simple, low-tech gadget that, along with my ToDo list, keeps me on track. I have an old-fashioned, mechanical timer on a soft cord that I wear around my neck. It ticks LOUDLY, so it's a constant reminder not to let myself be distracted. If the next item on my ToDo list will take about an hour, I set the timer for an hour. If I get a phone call in the middle of the task, the sound and feel of the ticking timer reminds me to say "I'm busy right now. Can I call you back in (glance at the timer) 20 minutes?" And, if I finish the task in less time than I planned, I know I can play for (glance at the timer) 11 whole minutes!

  --  Kat Nagel, Business Owner

MasterWork Consulting

Rochester, New York

Since I am a work at home mom, I need to complete both business and home tasks during normal working hours.

In order to stay on schedule, I set time limits on business tasks. Unless it is something that I must complete that day, I make sure that I limit my time on various tasks, such as email, web design and updates, mailings and research. This enables me to complete  necessary home tasks as well. Of course, there are some days when I spend most of my time on business tasks. If this happens, I try to accomplish more home tasks on a slow business day. This helps my home and work life stay balanced.

  -- Cecile Pryor, Business Owner

Moms With a Spine

Edison, New Jersey

Our most precious assets are time and health. Therefore it is important to use these assets wisely, yet most of us struggle with the management of these assets. Any tips are always helpful and appreciated.

What works for me in business is to deal with paper-work like bills immediately. I pay the bill the minute I receive it, either online or by cheque, which is mailed by registered mail. At the same time the accounts are updated. I avoid queue's like the plague. Mailing a bunch of letters / bills once a week, instead of dropping cheques in ten different places saves a lot of time.

Paying any bill immediately avoids ever having to think about that particular task again. No diarizing, no shoveling paper ten times without ever attending to any one of them, no unnecessary phone calls due of lost bills. Any monthly payments or banking is taken care of outside peak times say on the 15th of every month.

My other big time saver is to cook big batches of pasta, rice and potatoes one morning a week that lasts 5 or so days. Cooking does not need supervision (only alarm clock) and takes place whilst doing the morning chores.

Evening meals can then be prepared in 10 minutes and can be planned around any one of those starches, whatever time and mood dictates.

  --  Anne Hänsel, Business Owner

Jewelry Studio of Hans Meevis

Sint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles

The first step in managing our time and work is to determine what kind of tool matches our style.

Personal Information Management systems and tools help us manage our calendars (time), task lists (work), contact information (people) and notes (ideas). Different people gravitate to different tools.

* Some people manage using calendars. Typical examples are business people who are supervisors or managers.

* Some people manage using task lists. Typical examples are knowledge workers or individual business owners.

* Some people manage using contact information. Typical examples are sales people.

* Some people manage using notes. Typical examples are creative types like writers and artists.

Pick the primary tool that suits your style and you will have more success.


  --  Les Bain, Business Owner

Wizard Creek Consulting

Walnut Creek, California

Imagine yourself in a toy factory. Everywhere you look, all you see are toys. You can smell the faint smell that only brightly colored plastic can emit. You faintly hear Cookie Monster singing, "C is for cookie." As you try to negotiate through the tiny pathway created in the stacks and stacks of toys, you find that one missing Lego block, with your bare foot. This was my home until I discovered plastic bins.

I sat down and sorted my children's toys into groups of 7, bought plastic bins, and labeled them for each day of the week. And TADA, no more mess.

My children get the bin that corresponds with that day of the week. They do not get overwhelmed with the amount of toys they have and when that day is over, they don't see those toys for another week. Which keeps the newness of the toys.

  --  Julie Miller, Business Owner

Nursing Notions

Prior Lake, MN

The most liberating thing for us as a business has been call forwarding our business number to one of our cell phones. We have a high telephone call volume and handling all the calls can make it hard to get other work done. Everyone wants to talk to Jim so if he leaves he can take the business phone calls while I take care of things here at our shop. We are truly a mom and pop business so we have to wear many hats through the day and it's a simple solution.

  --  Bonnie Kaczmarek, Business Owner

Jim's Repair / Jim's Tractors

Hastings, Minnesota

Picking up after 5 kids, keeping a house clean and working full time is not easy. I was standing in a bedroom with some dirty laundry, and noticed all the dust. As long as I was there, and had a dirty pair of socks, I put them on my hands and proceeded to dust the entire room (the Venetian blinds were a cinch) then put the clothes in the hamper. In the next room I found more socks (and more dust) so I repeated my actions.

Today, my kids are grown and gone, but dirty laundry still exists. Each day, I take yesterday's socks and use them to wipe down all the lamps and furniture. It saves me time, does a wonderful job on blinds and shutters (not to mention carved furniture,) all the dirt comes out in the wash, and my house is clean.

  --  Suzanne Benjamin, Business Owner

The Gilded Cage

Phoenix, Arizona

Household Related - I clean one room in my house a day. This helps me keep my house cleaning time down and my house is never a true mess.

The basic Kitchen cleaning is also done daily.

Computer Related - I try to make folders and name them with what is inside them. I then have Main Folders with Categories (like a book).

  --  DaNel Resha, Business Owner

Darswinkle's Delights

Smyrna, Tennessee

Preventative Maintenance Checklist are a huge time and money saver. I have them for my car, and major household appliances. Such checklists will have a time component, and potentially a purchase component.

For example here is my hot water heater checklist.

Monthly Checklist

1. Drain sediment from the tank monthly
2. Check plumbing joints and valves for leaks and or corrosion
3. Check flue pipes for corrosion

Yearly Checklist

1. Make sure a spare over pressure/temp valve is on hand
2. Manually activate overpressure/temp valve to be  sure it operates
3. Verify valve does not leak, if it does replace
4. Buy another valve to keep on hand

A car checklist can be as simple as checking tire pressure, tire tread, oil level, power steering fluid, antifreeze level, and transmission fluid level very month. Or it could be as complex as the huge preventative maintenance check I use which exceeds used car dealers checklist. Either way, such checklists allow you to schedule maintenance ahead of time, when it is convenient and/or purchase parts ahead of time, when they are on sale. This is a huge money saver, compared to breaking down on the road out of town, and having to pay a premium price, to say nothing of potential safety, or inconvenience factors.

  --  Ron Amundson, Business Owner

www.inventorsgarage.com

St Charles, Minnesota

I use Outlook Calendar reminders for time management.

I started using it at work reminding me of things that I have to do that day and have since started it at home, too, with my home business and my housework. When I have completed all my reminders, I can relax or play around on the computer.

  --  Linda McVeigh, Business Owner

Busy Buds

Bensalem, PA

Managing a family, along with a home business can be overwhelming. To keep my sanity, after the kids are asleep, I spend 30 minutes in the evening getting ready for the next day. I pick up the family room, start the dishwasher, review tomorrows schedule, pack the diaper bag and layout clothes for the next day... for the kids and me! In the morning, I shower and dress, empty the dishwasher and put a load of laundry in, all before the kids wakeup. By the time the kids are awake, I am ready for the day!

  --  Kathy Williams, Business Owner

Baby's Abode

Hollywood, Florida

A great relief and time saver for me is to plan my dinners. First I made a master list of all the dinners my family eats. This keeps me from having brain freeze trying to think of things that I can cook. Next I took a blank monthly chart (empty calendar would work) and filled in dinners for each week. This can be done monthly, weekly or per season (summer, fall, winter, spring). Keep them because you can reuse them.

I have one chicken, beef, quick and easy, tomato based, crockpot, or breakfast dinner each week. You could also have Mexican night, Italian night, chicken night, etc. That way you get a variety and if you do a whole month at a time, then you know that you don't have spaghetti 3-4 times in the same month.

Now before you think, I can't plan that far in advance because.....(insert reason here), let me help you. First of all, your master list of dinners will give you ideas to keep you from having the same meal 3 weeks in a row. Second, you can always change a few dinners around the sale ads. You can also buy in advance and freeze it. You know you will have it sometime this month. Third, I don't stick to the week exactly as written.

I look at my weekly activities and adjust the whole week to fit my schedule. I also look ahead to defrost food if needed, or prepare some steps to save time the next day. Now, If I want something different that what I planned or something comes up, then I fix whatever I have or whatever really sounded good.

I don't say, well it says we are having hamburgers, and by golly that is what we have to have. I can change anything, anytime, I want.

I used to spend an hour everyday thinking "what are we having for dinner tonight?", or "What do I need to pick up for dinner tonight?" (insert food to prepare or fast food restaurant). Now I spend about 5 minutes looking at my list for the week and say, "That  sounds good... I already have that at home ready to fix !!!!"

How is that for saving time and energy?

  --  Tina Gibson, Business Owner

R2k Motorsports

Bethel, Ohio

The best time-saving tip I have is to ask why. Why am I doing this task, and why am I doing it this way? Sometimes I find the task really doesn't have to be done, and sometimes I find I could do it another way more quickly. For example: Why do I rinse dishes before putting them in the dishwasher if the machine has a scrubber cycle that works? Always check to see that you're doing what you need to do, the way you should be doing it.

  -- Michelle Hakala, Professional Writer

The Desk Drawer

California, USA

I keep a pen and paper by my bedside for all those things that wake you up in the night either because you have actually forgotten something, or you are afraid that you WILL forget something!

Sometimes, I problem solve or have new product ideas while sleeping, and wake up with an 'aha'. Once I write it down, I can relax and go back to sleep again without worrying. And in the morning, the idea or reminder is right there to start my day.

  --  Karen Wylie, Business Owner

The Blue Ridge Soap Shed

Spruce Pine, North Carolina

I work from a home office, and domestic interruptions can totally destroy your business day if you're not careful. What I have found to be the most effective tool for managing my time is the use of a the calendar from my contact management software to completely organize my day in 30 minute increments. Business phone calls, any order processing or paperwork activities, proposal submittals, web site updates, customer service calls, they are all entered into my calendar.

Mine has an alarm system that rings just like the good old bedside alarm clock, so if I am absorbed by one project and forget to check my calendar, or if I stop to deal with a domestic issue, it brings me back into focus. At the end of each day I update my calendar for the following days activities.

  --  Dean Swanson, National Sales Manager

Delta Sales Training

Coeur d'Alene Idaho

In doing business and SEO work on the Net, I previously resorted to writing down manually links in a small note pad or in pieces of paper. What happens is that when I need the link again, it takes me a long time to go back to that link, which for sure I have placed somewhere in the house. Therefore I decided to organize all these links.

What I do to save on time is create a network of pages within my web site that has in the meta tag, "NoIndex,follow". These pages contain links to all the web sites that are connected to my business online and with all SEO classes and work.

I created a weekly schedule that contains the links in which I need to work on, like for example, links to all email accounts, to banks, to link exchange work, etc.

I placed this weekly schedule as the HOME of my IE and Firefox browser. This way,  whenever I open the computer and go online, the browser opens on that main page and all I need to do is to look at the day concerned [Monday, as an example] and click a link to work on, let us say, "open business email".

Organizing all my links this way in a few web pages saves me time on consulting links that I have written in a small notepad or in pieces of paper tacked on the cork board.

  --  Dennis Cabrera, Web Developer

Catholic Internet Mission

Manila, Philippines

Keep your home and office lean of clutter. Clutter takes up so much energy. Waking up in a clean home and going to work in a clean office really makes a big difference and will allow you to get so much extra done.

  --  Rikke V. Landi, Business Owner

Ugly Duckli LLC

New York, NY

The biggest time management tip I have is to limit my time reading and responding to email to no more than 3 times a day. Mornings and evenings I allow for 30 minutes each, and mid day I allow for 15 minutes. I use a timer to remind me when time is up. When I'm done in the evening, I delete any email not work related so I don't get bogged down in old email.

I make lists, one each for, personal, household, business, and one for each project. Then each evening I create a master list of tasks (pulled from the above lists) for the next day. These are prioritized so that I do the most important things first.

The timer is my best friend. I try to break tasks into 15, 30, and 45 minute intervals so my perfectionist side doesn't take over and gobble unnecessary time making minute adjustments that are unnoticeable to anyone but me.

  --  Bonnie Domeny, Business Owner

Threadlove Embroidery

Sacramento California

To keep from getting lost in time while working on the computer and subsequently neglecting everything else, I use a one hour kitchen timer to schedule "breaks." First, I set it for a full hour. When it dings, I set it for 10 minutes and quickly tackle a chore such as laundry, vacuuming, etc.

Sometimes I might decide to annoy a pet by disturbing its sleep to scratch it and talk stupidly to it. It guarantees that I actually move once an hour and recharges me nicely to get back to it with much clearer thinking! It also keeps me alive, because if I didn't do this, my wife would definitely kill me for not doing all this other stuff.

  --  Dan Reinhold, Business Owner

WAHumor.com

Duxbury, MA

I am a visual person, so my biggest timesavers are keeping things where I can put my hands on them quickly. I keep a spreadsheet that helps me keep track of household tasks that need to be done for the week. That way I don't vacuum 4 times and not clean the bathroom counters (because it's easier to yank out the vacuum really quick). If I have some time in between projects, I go to the list, pick an item and do it. I also know then what I didn't get to last week so I can do it first the following week.

For everything else I make lists. I keep a tablet next to my computer. Every time I think of
something that needs to be done, I write it down (a separate page for business, personal, etc). It keeps me from having to drop everything and do something I forgot to do until it was an emergency. And finally, I keep my diaper bag ready to go at all times. When I come home from being out, I replace the things that were used (bibs, outfit, juice, etc) so I don't have to take the time to do it when I am racing out the door. (smile)

  --  Alicia Staz, Business Owner

Beaded Royalty

Dillsburg, PA

If there is an event in your life that is going to spawn lots of paperwork, make one place (I chose an expandable file) to immediately file any and all papers related to that event. I have had recent need of two of these files; my husband had a bad auto accident only 1/2 hour before a contractor arrived to fill two dumpsters with my kitchen.

The other facet of this is to carry those special files with you. Both of those expandable files have traveled with me ever since; one for the accident, and one for the renovation. I have had need of the information contained in one or both of them at least once most days since. As the paper work accumulated regarding the accident, I split the information into subfolders.

I now have one for each insurance company, each provider, the police, auto insurance, new car, etc. Today alone, this file has been my salvation, as two out of three insurance companies notified us they were refusing to pay disability and/or doctor bills due to paperwork technicalities. I was able to track down who to talk to at each company, and easily find out what paperwork each needed and drive that paperwork to the appropriate doctor for ASAP filing.

Without that organization, handling the stresses of such an event as well as the paperwork, would simply have most people's brains spinning out of control. You are going to have a high level of stress whenever something like this happens. Give yourself a fighting chance by organizing your paperwork and keep it close to hand.

  --  JoAnne Bell, Business Owner

Sewing Senior

Middletown, NY

I use the "Tasks" function in Microsoft Outlook to manage my to-do lists. Outlook allows you to assign each Task to a category, and gives you a list of categories to choose from. I deleted all these categories and put in just three: Business, Personal, School.

Business is for anything related to my crafts business. School is for things related to volunteer work at my children's schools. Personal is everything else. This keeps it simple. Every time I think of something I need to do, or even just want to do sooner or later, I create a new Task. I always assign it to a category, so if I want to I can call up that category and get a picture of where that part of my life is at the moment. I always give a Task a due date. If there isn't a "real" due date, I just pick one that reflects the point in time by which I'd like to have it done.

There are some things that have a "due date" two years in the future; that's okay with me, because it's at least recorded and I no longer have to try to remember it.

This date part is very important--by picking a due date, I prevent getting a pile-up in the "someday" section, and I can sort of space things out in a reasonable way. This way I get the urgent things done, but less urgent things show up periodically and I get them done, too. Sometimes I move things around in time, and that's okay. But my anxiety has dropped considerably because now everything IS on my to-do list, somewhere, so I am reassured that I WILL get to it, someday.

Yes, my to-do list is very long (up to 90 items at one point!). But, no need to panic. Every morning, I pull up a list of tasks using the "Next 7 Days" format. That way I can print out a list that fits on one page. The items for that day are at the very top, so I focus my attention there. But I can keep a view of the tasks coming up in the next few days, so if I have a chance to get a jump-start on something I will know what to do.

  --  Kelly Feibes, Business Owner

Primarily Practical Knits

Lexington, Kentucky

I have to manage taking care of elderly in laws in one state, manage the business in another, and personal issues in both. The biggest thing that has helped is I keep a list of all my bills and tax-related (when they arrive, whether they’re online, login/password, and mail addresses).

Several times bills haven’t arrived (just had one the other day that spent 24 days in the mail) or they’ve arrived late. If I didn’t keep track of them I’d be sunk.

  --  Doug DePrenger, Business Owner

My Secure PC

Henderson, NV

What I have found for me to save time in just about any thing I do is three parted, well four. They are schedule, prioritize, and make a list.

You need to know what has to be done when it has to be done and what is most important, then you have this write it down so you don’t forget any of it. Plus don’t sweat the small stuff, you have to smile at life or it will get you down.

  --  Cathy Filliaux, Business Owner

Fillamans Boutique

Peoria, Arizona

One of the real time wasters is being busy but without a strong purpose.

If you really want to save time, stop whatever you’re doing and complete the following short exercise. Answer these questions briefly in writing (doing this in your head doesn’t work, so grab that pen!):

1. What do I need to get done?
   
2. What MUST get done right now? (this hour, this morning, this afternoon, whatever time is at hand and available to you)
   
3. Why does this really matter to me? (not just the intellectual reason, but the gut-level reason you care about this)
   
4. Is there anything else I care about even more that is being overlooked? (this makes sure you’re not overlooking the important but not so urgent things)

Just stopping to answer and write out these questions can clear your head and re-focus your energy. It only takes 5-15 minutes at most and it consistently saves my clients hours and days of frustration. Try it and see for yourself.

  --  Ron Oltmanns, Business Owner

LeadSkill Corp

Denton, Texas

To DO Lists! We all know the importance of To Do lists.. but so often we say we are too busy to do them. I have learned that to create a to do list will allow the mind to be creative rather than being clogged up trying to remember.

If we don't create a to do list, the mind will stay active with what has to be done so we don't forget to do it. When we put it down on paper the mind can let go and be free to create with new ideas. Try it... Try it now... don't try to remember to do it as it will just clog up your brain power. Free the brain power!

  --  John Van Rees, Business Owner

Exquisite Crystals

Vancouver, Washington

This one might not work for everyone, but it sure has made my life a little easier. We have a large family, so this is probably only helpful for large families.

For years I had to hunt for a good folding surface every time I did laundry. Finally, I bought one of those industrial kitchen racks that have wheels and three wire shelves. I keep it in my laundry room, but can move my folding surface anywhere I want. The kids or I can wheel it from room to room putting the clean laundry away after the folding is done. I also use it for bringing in groceries from the car on big shopping days.

  --  Jenny Sherman, Business Owner

Jenny Sherman

Salyer, California

Time management includes consideration of both large and small facets of any project. The most important of all considerations, in my opinion however, is that each individual acknowledge her or his own specific idiosyncrasies. If you are one of those who wakes each morning full of energy, then it is a good idea to plan to get the most important (and invariably most difficult) chores or work out of the way first. If, on the other hand, you are like me and greet the day with resounding reticence, preferring to burrow back under those wonderful warm and soft sheets and blankets, you probably need some quiet waking up time before you can even begin to think about scheduling any of the day's tasks much less attempt them. In other words, make your list of things to do but do them as is appropriate to your energy levels. Otherwise you will find yourself frustrated, depressed and exhausted -- and with nothing getting done.

  --  Patricia C Vener, Business Owner

Lair of the Silver Dragon

Randallstown, MD

One of the best time savers I have ever used and still use is a to-do list. It doesn't matter what you are doing, a list is the ultimate time saver.

In addition to keeping track of things you need to do it will help keep track of what you have already done if you are diligent in checking off items finished. If you are planning a wedding, get a three ring binder to keep information, price comparisons, vendor locations and their expertise, any thing and every thing that affects the decision making processes of your wedding. Be sure to purchase dividers; they will help you organize your lists. Next make one single list of everything you need to do or get information about. The easiest way to do this is to brainstorm and write everything that comes to mind. On a separate piece of paper make another list with two columns. Column one should include items from your original brainstorming list that only you can do and column two items that you can delegate. Easier already isn't it? As you find information just check off items and if you have delegated make sure you insert the persons name, address and telephone number, and any other information that will help you keep track of who is supposed to be doing what.

As ideas or need to do items emerge you can add them to the bottom of your list and continue until your goal is accomplished. Lists make time consuming work easier.

  --  Clarine Wilson, Business Owner

Dream Weave Wedding Gowns

Radford, Virginia

I am a single work-at-home mom of a 4 year old little boy. My business is making natural bath and body products such as soaps, lotions, creams, scrubs, lip balms, etc. My best time management tool is to figure out what I could best do without his assistance, like making soap, and do that when he's at preschool/daycare.

I save the tasks that he'd enjoy helping me with for when he's home, stacking/counting, organizing, etc.That way, I can still get the work done that I need to, we have fun working together, and he is so proud that he can be mommy's little helper!

  --  Angie Cavaiuolo, Business Owner

Handmade Natural Beauty

La Crosse, Wisconsin

Working in a business setting that doesn't require much structure? I have found that being in a business that does not dictate your hours/activities can lead to working way too many hours with little to show for it. The first step is to determine your priorities for your business. Is your number one priority reflected on your daily schedule?

It is too easy to allow all the little to do lists and small fires alter your focus if you don't have a schedule and stick to it. I've found that if I focus on what truly needs to be accomplished, then schedule time each day for that particular item, that everything else will fall into place. Yes, I still allow for these other things in my schedule, but they must work around my main priorities. I have even stopped taking calls for the hours I am spending on my number one priority. The result: more focus, more results and less time spent per week doing work that will bring profit.

  --  Deborah Coupland-Porter, Business Owner

Team Coupland

Bradenton, Florida

Time Management is huge for me. I am so busy with all that I do, that if I didn't have my calendars and my lists I would be lost. I have a calendar on my desk at home for those items related to my website and Avon business. I have a calendar in the kitchen for those issues related to my two children and our family life. I have a calendar at work for work issues. So, as you can tell, I would be lost with out my calendars and my lists. I keep post it notes of all that I have to do during the day. As the item gets done, the note gets tossed. Sometimes it is a larger piece of paper and the item gets crossed off when I am finished with it. It brings me great pleasure when I cross items off that list!

  --  Cecilia Frederick, Business Owner

C Frederick Enterprises

Reisterstown, Maryland

I work from home, and on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings I have my three year old daughter at home with me. One way I have been able to maximize my time during these periods is I have set up a small table, children's couch and TV in my office
(ok the TV was already there). So now on these mornings my daughter can have breakfast, watch her morning shows (yes three year olds have their own shows, who knew?) all while I am going over my emails and doing other small tasks.

  --  Ed Peterson, Business Owner

Birthday Thoughts

Ontario, Canada

When I am not completely familiar with a task or project that I need to get done, I will list, in a notebook, the steps that need to be done, along with a brief description of each step. I then follow the list very carefully, checking off each step as I go, to get the task or project done. This is a time saver for me so that I don't forget part of the process, which might have resulted in my having to redo it.

  --  Sandi Myers, Business Owner

Sandi's T's

Suffolk, VA

My favorite time management technique is taking my internet with me. I have a nice laptop with an aircard. Even when I don't want to, I go online. I find that after I go through the effort of going online between my daily task I can make a dent in my website endeavors. It helps me progress when there is so little time in each day.

  --  Donald Rieck, Business Owner

DFW Airport Transportation

Lewisville, Texas

It seemed like my shower was over flowing with bath products. Now I have a plastic self-draining tote that I keep everything in. When I'm ready for my shower I take the tote in with me so everything I need is at my fingertips. I'm no longer stepping on razors, slipping on soap, or throwing out mildewed containers!

  --  Jane Parker, Business Owner

The Girly Boutique

Appleton, Wisconsin

A great way to save time and money on your household grocery bill is to plan, plan, plan! Each week on Saturday night I sit down and write down what I am cooking for dinner Sunday through Saturday for the upcoming week. The goal is to pick meals that use the same ingredient such as two meals that require chicken breast or maybe two meals that call for ground hamburger meat.

Once you have your meals planned, make your grocery list and add any additional items for lunch and breakfast to get you through the week. Planning your meals takes the guesswork out of "What's for dinner?" and saves money on the spontaneous decision to eat out when you are too tired to cook.

Take some time out on Sunday afternoon while your husband can watch the kids to prepare your ingredients for the upcoming meals, such as chopping onions and vegetables. This will save you a lot of time after a long hard day at work!

  --  Kim Bagley, Business Owner

Mom's World Online

Longview, Texas

Have a written routine for each day that shows what you need to get done. I keep my routine on the computer and make changes as I need to. I make sure to schedule in appointments, household cleaning, what's for dinner, business time, etc. Each morning I look at my routine and plan my time accordingly. Each evening, I take a quick look at tomorrow's routine so I know what needs to be done and when my free time is.

Be careful how many email groups you join. Make sure they are groups that really benefit you and that you are reading the messages/newsletters. Between sales groups, craft groups and special interest groups, I belonged to close to 200 groups. I was amazed when I started keeping track of how much time I was spending deleting messages I wasn't even reading. I decided that was a huge time waster for me and eliminated the groups that I wasn't reading messages from.

  --  Ellen LaFleche-Christian, Business Owner

Moonlight Creations Jewelry & Gifts

Castleton, Vermont

When you need to produce a product in a large quantity, or produce many similar objects, combining steps can save a lot of time. If your product takes ten minutes to create, for example, how much of that time is spent getting out the materials and tools you need, and then putting them away? By doing each step 20 times before going on to the next step, you save yourself the time that it would take to get out and then put away all these items 19 times.

My business is making handmade jewelry, but I think this could easily apply to many small business owners who make the product they sell. I know that when I work this way, I can create about twice the product compared to when I'm just making one or two of something at a time.

  --  Leah Hitchcock Ybarra, Business Owner

Jewelry by Leah Hitchcock Ybarra

Berkeley, California

Hey, all you FlyLady aficionados! It all sounds good on paper, right? Just clean a little here, a little there, and you'll catch up and eventually keep up. But FlyLady don't got no babies, right? Well, I have a cleaner house with my second baby than I ever did with my first and that is because I now do all my cleaning with my baby on my back.

Think about it: people who live off the land don't have the option of being waited on or just sitting around when they have a baby! What do they do? They toss their babies on their backs and get back to what needs doing! Plus a bonus side-effect is it's very slimming! Wear your contented baby and get stuff done!

  --  Ellen Sandoval, Business Owner

SoBeBabies.com, Inc.

Hallandale Beach, FL

I would be lost without online postage labels, meaning either the USPS's Click n Ship or making a postage label through PayPal. When a customer uses PayPal for payment, a ship button is generated and the postage money comes out of your PayPal account. At the USPS site, you pay by credit/debit card.

I can't begin to think of how many hours I have saved, not to mention miles put on the car and gas as well by taking advantage of these FREE services. When you mail Priority using either of these services, the delivery confirmation is free too. I can also request a free package pickup when my carrier normally comes.

Later that day, I sit down with my orders and send notices of shipping. I also go back to the USPS home page, enter the delivery confirmation label number, click through a few pages entering the appropriate info and end up getting an email from them when my packages are delivered. These are definite "easy buttons" in my book!

  --  Tari Hann, Business Owner

Barbee & Friends Doll Clothes

Mt. Sterling, Ohio

By nature I tend to be disorganized and would try to finish everything at once, thereby actually wasting time. My time management is not what it should be and the last person to give advice, however, I believe that one should not postpone - Do what you have to do as soon as you can, but prioritize.

  --  Sam van den Berg, Genealogy Web Developer

Genealogie Van den Berg Genealogy

Port Elizabeth, South Africa

My favorite time saver is my phone headset. It frees my hands to continue typing and working while handling phone calls.

My favorite computer time management tip would be using actions in Photoshop. I have them set up to do many time consuming redundant tasks. My favorite one is duplicating a document, flatting layers, converting from RGB to CMYK and deleting 48 channels, then saving as a PDF for press and saving as a PDF for email proofing. This takes less than 1 second. I love it!

  --  Terri Chicko, Business Owner

Salish Winds Incense and Fragrances

Indianola, Washington

I used to print lots of articles, tutorials, etc. that I found on the web. I also printed my receipts for online purchases as well. The problems with this were twofold.

1. I used lots of printer ink and paper. Very expensive!
   
2. After I printed the articles, I had to file them and eventually the file got very big and sometimes I hunted for a long time before I located the correct article.

I found a neat (not free, but not expensive) utility that would print to a PDF. Now all of my online receipts, articles and tutorials are neatly organized in directories on my computer. Regular backups to external media ensures I won't lose them in the event of a <gasp!> computer crash. The utility is called 602 Print Pack.

However, a new feature in SnagIt will also print to a PDF and so if you have SnagIt, you will get a lot more features for your money. (One problem with using SnagIt to print your receipts, articles, etc, there are extra steps involved.)

  --  Martha Bagwell, Website Owner

Martha's Web

Arlington, Texas

Ok, I'm looking around; its pretty sad. I think I need a maid. And I need my brother to move out, and take all his possessions. My life has been total chaos since he moved in. Yep---that's my tip---have any extended family members move out. (GRIN)

Sadly, my brother handles my computer problems (including correcting my improper use of words to describe the various computer parts) Ok----no---here's a tip---run all your virus/spyware programs at night when you are sleeping.

And the number 1 tip----(can you tell I watch late night TV??) Geez, my life is a mess! (giggle) Learning to say "No, but thank you for thinking of me" could be a real help. Like many others, I spread myself too thin. I like being part of the PTA (treasurer for 2nd year), I love all my crafting, all the classes you instruct. My problem is finding a balance. Did I mention that I'm a Libra? I crave balance, peace and harmony? My scales are off balance (and have been for awhile)

  --  Teresa Lamb, Business Owner

Fly By Nite Creations

North-Seminole, Florida

When I am downloading articles or documents I always download them to my desktop. Since I really hate clutter anywhere, I am eager to have a clean desktop so my goal is to always clean off my desktop. By downloading items that I am working on to my desktop, I do not lose them. I know exactly were they are.

We all know how you can download something and then not be able to find it because it somehow was put somewhere automatically by your computer. Then, I can read the item, work on it or do whatever I need to this item or document. If it is on my desktop it is in an in progress state. When I am finished with it I can file it wherever it really belongs or I can delete it.

This technique does two things ultimately. It shows me what I am working on and must accomplish soon. And it allows me to file everything appropriately or discard items I do not need to keep. This works for me and saves me lots of time and disc space.

  --  Shelly Rosenberg, Owner

Editing Proofreading & Resume Services

Springfield, Tennessee

Put EVERYTHING in the dishwasher, assuming it will survive: combs, all bathroom accessories, ornaments, candlesticks, stationary trays, hole punches, oven racks, microwave bits, teapots, rulers, paper bins, lids off of everything, kids toys, vegetable racks, fridge racks and door bits, plant trays.

Keeps lots of things looking clean and shiny without much effort: I go round the house about once a month and just gather up what I can carry!

  --  Rosemary Probert, Webmaster

Ingleside Hotel

Northumberland UK

Time management is one of the topics I teach.

My favorite one and the absolute super-time saver is this:

CLEAN UP THE CLUTTER

The following time management saving tips apply to paper documents and computer files (including E-mail messages).

As soon as you receive something, deal with it.

This means that you decide to take one of the following actions:

Toss it, Refer it, Act on it File it.

A quick glance is often enough to see if what you received deserves your attention. If not, toss it. If it is of some importance, but not for you, or if you need more information on the topic before you can deal with it, refer it immediately to the person who can deal with it provide you with the information needed.

If you need to act on it, do it immediately if possible. If this is impossible, schedule a time in your calendar to deal with it. Put a paper document in the tickler file, attach an electronic document to the time and date that you scheduled for it.

If you need to file it, make sure that you can find it quickly when you need it.

Adapted from The Organised Executive – Stephanie Wilson


  --  Anneke Groet, Executive Coach

Executive Coaching and Training

Schoenfels, Luxembourg

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