Time Management Techniques: Shortening Your To Do List

Happy Motivation Monday!

Today we’ll focus on a few time management techniques for your small business.

Last week we talked about the real definition of time management for the business owner.  We talked about the fallacy of time management.  Instead of managing time what we must strive to do in order to become more productive is renew our ENERGY and focus (since we can’t renew time).  How we all wish we could.  If I could always be 29… But let me stop dreaming.  Let’s talk about shortening your “to do list” to become more productive in your business(es).

This video blog post was inspired by a quote in Christine Kloser’s “The Freedom Formula.”

“When you shorten your to do list you lengthen your TO BE list.”

Deep, huh?

Most “to do” lists are boring, rote tasks that most of us scratch off without any excitement.

The heart of this quote is that when you are so focused on those things that “light you up” you strengthen WHO you are – your core essence.  If you are passionate about those things that you take care of in your business, you will effortlessly find your groove.

It’s not about how much you can accomplish within a 24 hour period.

Rather its about realizing whether or not the activities you perform on a day to day basis in your business are aligned with your vision, mission, and goals for your business.  Are you doing things just to cross them off the list or are you focusing on those productivity driven ones that you get most excited about doing because you know they are steps towards reaching those goals?

Time Management Techniques That Shorten That Dreaded To Do List

Here are some questions to ask yourself to help slash that To Do list!

1) How in alignment are your day to day tasks with your business goals, your vision and your mission?

Write down everything you do on a day to day, weekly and monthly basis.  Are you wasting too much time on things that frustrate you instead of things that bring you joy?  Do you keep track of the time you invest in certain activities?  What’s working and what is not?  Stick to what works only.

2) Are your daily tasks taken care of with positive or “why do I have to” energy?

Are you focusing on those things that light you up?  Delegate those things that you can’t stand doing (one of my tasks is video editing)

Here are some ways to delegate those things that you dread:

• Ask an Employee
• Ask a Business Partner
• Ask a Spouse/Older Children
• Hire an Intern
• Outsource

3) Are you actually scheduling your activities?

Schedule Those Things That Light You Up in your Calendar because many things come up during the course of the day that can cancel something you “intend to do.”  If you schedule it in your calendar and commit to it, you’ll get it done more easily.

Take 30 Minute Breaks in Between those crucial tasks.  Once you do, you’ll find your way to condensing that to do list and lengthen your to be list.

Share YOUR Thoughts with us!  What are other time management techniques have you used in your business to stay productive?

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About The Author

Dali Burgado, also known as "The Dali Blogger" teaches creative entrepreneurs how to carve a web presence that connects with their Inner Guru and their target audience. Her first online marketing love is SEO. She's an avid connector on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. When she's not coaching or teaching, she's tweaking sites for Search Engine Visibility, working on her PHP and Javascript coding skills, Singing Opera, or learning about gardening. Circle Dali on Google+