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Saving
time in your business
No matter how many
great ideas you have, how well you understand things that need to be done, how
much you want to spend time doing other things, there is always only twenty-four
hours on a day. There are some ways to save time when working your business so as to make
the most out of your working hours.
- Set up filters in
your email system. Then process emails in related groups, starting with high
priority ones.
- Block your
time. Focus on one activity at a time to be
more productive. Leave emails untouched and the phone on message bank until
their allotted block.
- Recognise your
own work patterns and needs. Do important tasks when you work
best.
- Have a
notebook handy and use it! By noting your
ideas, they won’t clutter your mind so that you can focus on the task to
hand.
- Reading is an
important but easily forgotten tool in business – so timetable it. Reading
can teach you many things, inspire you and provide variety to your working week.
- Have regular
clean outs. Make it easier to find what you need in a hurry and prevent the need
for huge clean ups.
- Make use of
reminder services or an old fashioned alarm clock. Keep in touch with
important tasks and will learn to work more efficiently.
- Group activities
away from your desk together. It takes up more time if you are up and down to
your desk all week.
- For repetitive
tasks, try to do them in bulk. And do them in low performance times if
possible.
- Make use of
other services whenever possible. Get
supplies delivered, bank online, get postage paid envelopes or a franking
machine, use an accounting package and outsource work to others (accountants,
web designers, writers, virtual assistants, marketers and so
forth.)
- Know your tools
so they can be used efficiently.
- Use information
sites, directories and bookmarks to make internet usage time
effective.
- Establish
systems and use them. Simple things like
price lists and form letters are time savers.
By saving yourself
minutes here and there, you can become much more efficient and
productive.
What is just as
important as saving time is making use of
your time for more than work. By taking the
time away from work to be with family and friends, to do sport and other
activities, you will be able to approach your work with more
enthusiasm.
--
Tash Hughes is the owner of
Word Constructions and assists
businesses in preparing all written documentation and web site content. Tash
also writes technical and business articles for inclusion in newsletter and web
sites.
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