As the seasons change and the nights draw in we’ll soon be winding the clocks back in preparations for those long winter nights. On a positive note, the clocks going back will mean we all gain an extra hour, how will you be spending yours?
This got us thinking what could you achieve if you had an extra hour a day or even just an extra hour per week...?
Unfortunately we’ve yet to perfect the art of time travel (if we had, we’d be enjoying a summer holiday right now!) so while we can’t physically add an hour to your day we do have lots of useful hints to help you get the most out of every working hour...
1. Get organised
How much time do you spend each day trying to work out what to do next or what task needs your attention most? Whether it be on a website such as Toodledo or on a good old fashioned scrap of paper, write yourself a to-do list and prioritise it. Work through it methodically ticking off completed items as you go.
2. One at a time please!
No matter how organised and efficient you think you are, at the end of the day you are human! Don’t try to take on too many tasks at once. Start a task and either spend a fixed amount of time on it or see it through to completion. Once your allotted time is up move on to the next task.
3. Cut out the distractions
Allocate certain times of the day to respond to e-mails and return calls. Don’t be a slave to that little yellow envelope in the corner of your screen, the blinking of your BlackBerry or that comedy ringtone that seemed like such a good idea at the time.
4. File as you go
It doesn’t matter if it just consists of piles of paper clipped together, as long as related documents are kept together and within easy reach you’ll save yourself heaps of times wading through that over-stuffed in tray
5. Get some help
It may sound simple but for small business owner this is often the hardest step. First start by looking at the task you enjoy most as chances are these are the ones that you are best at and therefore never have a problem completing. Now have a look at the job you really don’t like and/or are not confident with. These tasks are ripe for outsourcing.
A Virtual Assistant is more than just a spare pair of hands we work closely with our clients to ensure that tasks are completed thoroughly and efficiently. Even if you just outsource one task per week the time saving could be the equivalent to turning back the clock every day of the week...
If you would like to find out more about how the In a Pickle team could help you beat the clock, please get in touch with us today to arrange your free initial consultation - you can call us on freefone 0808 1081436 or email lisa@inapickle-va.com
