More Time: How To Get It
Here’s the scenario. You need more time, and you’re not sure how to get it. I’m not talking about wiggle room, or lunch breaks. You need blocks of time to make the type of change you want in your business.
Maybe you’ve been in business for a while. You’re ready for something new, or maybe you're ready to do what you're doing but for less time each week. Either way, you’re going to need a strategy for making this type of shift.
You can spend a lot of time reading about managing your time and using it to its potential. There are so many time management tips like task batching and Pomodoro timers, and a wealth of books to read on productivity.
But that’s not the same as strategizing to seriously get work done in considerably less time. To loosen up chunks of time in your business you have to dig deeper than that. Most of my 1:1 clients are looking to make these types of serious and impactful changes in their business.
As entrepreneurs, sometimes we have a hard time letting go of control and trusting that someone else can do some of the things we’ve been doing. But growth, scaling, and flexibility are really difficult to achieve without delegating and outsourcing.
One client in particular was working all the time, on all the days. She really loved her business but needed to get her work hours under control so she wouldn’t lose that love and burn out. We had to create a plan that supported her vision and added some flexibility to her work week.
Clarify your real vision
First we expanded on what she wanted her days to look like. Then we figured out everything already on her plate. And then we started working through the processes in the business. We tightened things up, identified opportunities, and figured out what she needed to do but more importantly, what she didn't need to do.
Clearing your plate
Our initial focus was on staffing. We brought in new people to handle the tasks that were taking up her valuable time that she now chooses to spend on the things she does best and loves most. We found the ideal systems for her business to manage new staff and keep them informed on the progress of ongoing client projects.
Scheduling and time management
The approach I suggested was to mark off the desired hours or days she didn’t want to work, and then schedule everything around those priorities. If there was more to do than there was time to do it, we went back and found things to streamline and hand off to her new employees.
Another client with an established business really wanted to take two work days from her existing business to start a new venture. It was clear she needed more than organizational tips and tricks to run both businesses without losing her sanity as she transitioned. We decided to start from scratch and establish a strategy from the ground up that would accommodate her vision.
Time Study
Our initial step was to figure out how and where she was spending her time each day. We discovered there were two things we needed to address.
Adapt Services
She decided to alter the current services in her business to make them more manageable. Then she found someone she trusted to outsource one particular service to that was taking up way too much time.
Give Out Responsibility
She had an employee that she felt was capable of taking on more at work. So she gave her promotion that resulted for more time on the owner’s calendar to focus on her other endeavor.
As my own business has grown, once I utilized all of those fabulous time management tips, I realized it was time to delegate and outsource certain responsibilities in order to free up time for myself. I took a close look at the resources necessary to deliver the services I offer, then found the most qualified candidates to help me clear my plate.
I’d love to help you clear your plate so you can use your time in the ways that you want. In my Path of Action Accountability groups we create structured and realistic plans to achieve goals by analyzing the necessary tasks and strategize how to get them done through scheduling, delegation, and outsourcing. To find out more, check out the groups here.
P.S. Ready to stop spinning in place and get to the other side of your goals? Here are several ways I can help:
Download my free weekly planning guide - it will help you become more intentional with your time, develop a clear action plan for your week, and ensure that you are focusing on activities that will move your business forward - Download Now
Join our next CEO Power Planning Session and spend two and a half hours ON your business. During this facilitated workshop, you’ll set and prioritize your next 12-week goals, break them down into an executable action plan and create a resource plan - Join the Wait List
Apply for the next Close the Gap Program and stay on track to achieve your most important goals. 1:1 support and guidance on prioritizing goals, creating a plan and putting structure and routines in place. Then 12 weeks of group support around execution - Apply today