How I Effectively Manage Time in Business - My Best Methods

Always a full to-do list, time slipping away, and productivity feeling out of reach. Here are my strategies to make the most of the time I dedicate to work.

Time Blocking

Divide your day into time blocks (e.g., 2 hours for deep work, 30 minutes for emails, 1 hour for meetings) based on your needs and stick to it. Sometimes, I shift things around if I'm close to finishing a task or miscalculated my schedule, but overall, it's best to follow the planned day. Also, don’t feel guilty if unexpected events disrupt your schedule, adjust and move forward.

Use a calendar to plan in advance. I personally use the Full Calendar plugin in Obsidian (where I keep all my notes), but you can use Google Calendar or whatever works for you. If you're not using anything yet, may whatever you believe in watch over you.

Task Prioritization

Sort tasks into those that have a huge impact on your business and those that are less crucial. Consider limiting or automating the latter, but think this through carefully.

For example, many people automate email responses with AI. Personally, I don't think this is a great move, especially if you’re tempted to do it for user/customer emails. There are many reasons why responding personally is a better approach, but the most important one is that it makes customers feel genuinely valued, especially in today's world.

No Meeting Days

Choose specific days when you focus solely on strategic work without scheduling anything that could distract you. When I implemented this, it was a game-changer for my productivity. I highly recommend it.

Admin Day

Every business involves some level of bureaucracy and boring tasks. A few months ago, I introduced an Admin Day, where I batch all minor emails, paperwork, and other admin work into a single day (Monday, in my case), so I don’t have to deal with it for the rest of the week. It works wonders for me.

Final Thoughts

These methods have helped me stay productive while keeping my workload manageable. Try them out and see what works best for you!