Running a business can get pretty hectic, especially if the company is just starting out. If not handled right, the chaos can begin to feel overwhelming, and while some business owners thrive when things seem to be out of control, many others can feel burdened by the pressure and stress. During these times it’s important to maintain order.
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Here are some tricks to help you stay organized no matter what stage of mayhem your business is experiencing:
Prioritize tasks that will improve your business — Entrepreneurs are aware of the things that need to happen to get their business off the ground. However, being aware of necessary tasks and making them happen are two different things. Most of the time, disorganization plays a significant role in these major tasks not getting accomplished. Meanwhile, tasks that are important but less impactful are getting finished instead.
One way to fix this is to make a goal each day to do something that will move your business in a better direction. Whether that’s pitching your product to a potential investor, or working with your marketer to develop a plan for your business, make sure you are putting in daily effort to make your business the best it can be.
Limit how many major tasks you do a day — Even though you should prioritize major tasks, it doesn’t mean you need to cram all those tasks into one day. Instead, select two or three major tasks that need to get finished. Don’t multitask. This way, you don’t drain your energy trying to do too much at once. Schedule times when you will work on these significant to-dos, then fill in the rest of your time with smaller jobs that are easier to accomplish.
Likewise, you should delegate. After all, you hire employees to share your workload. Part of this equation is choosing the right employees to perform the tasks. If you have employees that are already swamped with their own work, it won’t help to give them more assignments. However, you should also use employees whose qualifications match the task at hand. If you have managers in place, ask them if they know someone who has time to perform the task and is suited to completing it. If you pick the right people, the task will be finished satisfactorily, while you have time to complete other things that only you can do.
Handle tasks in batches — When you have a variety of different tasks dealing with all sorts of departments and interests, it can be challenging to keep track of and prioritize the things that are most important to accomplish. By designating certain times to complete specific tasks that are similar, like reading and responding to emails, you will be more productive and focused on the task at hand.
In addition to that, checking that task off your list for the day or week by completing it will help you be able to focus on other tasks later on. Nothing is more distracting than worrying about work you’ve failed to finish. Having a list of things to do and checking them off as they are completed will help you feel like you’ve accomplished something while showing you the progress you’re making.
Track your progress — When life keeps going, it can sometimes be challenging to keep your goals at the forefront of your mind. Check on your progress toward your goals daily to make sure you are on the right path. While tasks may loom on the horizon, it’s good to look back and see everything that you’ve accomplished during the day or week. Doing so can help you see that you are making a dent in your workload—even if you still have a lot of other tasks on your list.
Also, looking at your goals will help you realize which of the tasks at hand are most important to accomplish, and which can wait or be eliminated.
Being organized doesn’t mean that you stick to a strict schedule that consists of the same tasks every day. It just means that you’ve established a system that helps you and your employees accomplish your company goals. As you focus on improving your organization, you will see the difference in how your business runs and notice that your workload feels less like a burden looming over your head.
