Starting a business is a dream for many, but the realities of it can be extremely stressful and time-consuming, especially if you’re working a 9-5 job simultaneously.
You may feel overburdened and stuck due to the responsibilities of your day job and your new business. If handled poorly, these two focuses can produce so much stimuli and stress that you must cope with information fatigue.
Thankfully, there are many things you can do to manage your time better and make the process more manageable. This article covers tips and tricks to balance your work and business life.
5 Time Management Tips for Part-time Business Owners
The crux of the issue is figuring out how to fit so much into 24 hours. With these tips, you’ll learn how.
1. Hire and outsource work
You don’t have enough time in the day to run your business and do all the things that come with a full-time job. That’s where hiring or outsourcing work comes in. You can free yourself from the tedious but crucial tasks of running a company, such as admin tasks, customer service, and social media management.
Outsourcing can help you focus on what matters. A freelancer or virtual assistant lets you focus on your business’s core aspects, like developing your products and services.
Moreover, outsourcing enables access to specialized skills and expertise without in-house training. So while it may seem like an extra expense, taking on more workers can save you time and money while allowing you to grow.
2. Use productivity apps
Technology has made it easier than ever to stay organized and productive. Plenty of highly customizable apps can help you manage tasks, set deadlines, and track progress. There are also apps for monitoring your time usage and analyzing where you might be wasting time.
Did you know that the average person spends 80% of their workday on tasks with little value? That’s a huge amount of time. Think about it: if you spend eight hours working, you’re wasting five hours of your day. That’s a whole day every week, and it’s not just wasted—it’s robbing you of opportunities to be productive and grow your business.
Productivity and time-management apps can help you find those wasted minutes or hours and allocate them to business growth instead of letting them slip away.
3. Tackle the difficult things first
You’re probably thinking, “I can’t do it now. I’ll do it later.” You’re wasting entire days procrastinating by putting off that annoying or challenging task for so long. Procrastination is easier than actually doing the work. But when it comes to getting things done and getting them done well, procrastination isn’t your friend.
So what do you do about it? You force yourself to work on challenging or unappealing tasks to get them out of the way, even if they make your stomach turn (or are just boring).
This tip is easier said than done. You require dedication and discipline, but you’ll see significant progress once you’re used to it. Don’t forget that everything you do is for your dream of business ownership.
4. Set realistic goals
It’s important to remember that while dreams can propel and motivate you, they’re not the be-all and end-all of your life. You must establish practical objectives for yourself to attain said dreams eventually. Unrealistic and grandiose plans can lead to burnout and disappointment when you inevitably fail to accomplish them. You certainly don’t need the extra stress!
If you’re trying to set yourself up for success, your objectives should be divided into smaller, more manageable tasks with realistic timelines. That way, you can stay on track and motivated. The SMART or Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound goal system is a good way of creating achievable milestones that won’t damage your motivation.
5. Take breaks
While it seems counterintuitive, ensuring you’re healthy and rested is critical if you want your business dream to come true. Overworking yourself will only slow down your progress in the long run, so you have to allot time for rest and recovery.
Even a short break can recharge and refocus you to keep chugging along. Don’t forget that what you’re attempting is a marathon, not a race.
Time is the Only Thing
Famous musician Miles Davis once said, “Time isn’t the main thing. It’s the only thing.” The only way to establish your business is by making the most of it every day. Time management is the most helpful skill to make your dreams a reality.
Remember, effective time management isn’t just about getting more done in less time. It’s about prioritizing what’s important, making time for the things that matter, and finding a balance that lets you pursue your dreams without sacrificing your well-being.
