How To Manage Time

How to manage time is one of the most difficult skills to master and teach others, but it can help you take your business to the next level ...

I was a manager for a social service agency for several years. The people that I managed were under a great deal of stress due to the clients that they served as well as the paper work that is required of them. I have learned that the greatest skill that the best workers, self-employed or home-based business owners have, is how to manage time wisely. This skill of time management is difficult to teach and is often met with resistance.

Many workers feel when the subject of how to manage time is brought up, they are going to be criticized for the way they are presently doing things. So often a few changes in the order in which a task is done can save time and effort, but this often means changing a habit. I have found that how to manage time needs to be presented in a manner that will not create defensiveness. One of the tools that I used was developing a checklist for the staff members to follow. Most people like being able to check off tasks that they have completed. By placing the tasks in the most logical order, staff may change the way in which they do things and will learn how to manage time more effectively without becoming defensive.

You can adapt the same time management technique if you run a home-based business. Develop a checklist or "to do" list for yourself, prioritize your list, then commit to working each task until you have completed it and can tick it off your list.

Another way I have helped others with time management is to model how to manage time myself. I would post my schedule outside my office door daily, and try to keep on the schedule. I then made a habit of including as many tasks as possible on my schedule so that I could get the most work done as possible. I found that by scheduling the little things that only take a few minutes I'd get more done. If I only write down the major time commitments of a day I tend to get behind because I am not allowing for the day to day tasks that need to be performed and that do require time, even if it is a short period. I also always included periods of time in the morning and afternoon where I was available for staff to spend time with me asking questions or discussing issues.

As a home based business owner, you may not have staff coming in and out of your office, but the same principle applies with your family. Allow for small interruptions to happen when your partner or small children come into to your work area (being able to hug my wife and children throughout the day is one of the greatest joys and benefits of running a business from home!)

I always had an open door policy with my staff and I have continued with this practice when I switched to working from home. By setting aside specific time each day, my time is used much more efficiently. If you share your work space with other people, you will find that you will not be interrupted as often and your staff or family members are more prepared when they come to spend time with you because they can see the amount of time you have available.

By modeling how to manage time, your staff members will become more efficient workers and your family members will become more respectful of the fact that even though you are at home, you are working and running a business. You will also become a better and more effective manager and delegator.

For more information relating to starting a home based business or setting up a home office, please visit our "resources" section, or go to articles about home business.