How to manage your time when building a startup
Running a startup can be a stressful endeavor. You will likely be in the early stages of developing your business and getting it out into the world, so your days may blur together and involve long shifts as you iron out how best to manage the responsibility. Below are some tips as to how you can better manage your time when you run a start-up.
Delegate as many tasks as possible
Time is precious. Therefore, seek to delegate as often as possible, so that your time is spent the way it should be; focusing on the priorities. This is a particularly important point for start-ups with a small team. Work together to manage tasks effectively, so you can get the job done to time, to the right standard, with the right people involved.
Take a time out
This may not be what you want to hear, but you can’t possibly hope to run a startup well if you cannot function. That is why it is essential to switch off, and really switch off. As a result, you will sleep better and will be more switched on and focused when you are at work. Work-life balance is crucial, so try not to take your work home with you and spend some time relaxing and unwinding. You could cook a meal, meet up with friends or family, go to the gym, or try your luck online with Unibet.
Learn to say no
You will have enough on your plate to manage your start-up effectively without running out of time due to menial tasks you could have turned down. You are a start-up after all; if somebody needs you, then occasionally an email will have to suffice as opposed to a call or meet up. You will need to be ruthless with your time management to achieve everything you want to. As Business Insider points out, saying no has its benefits.
Give everything a deadline
Deadlines, for many, ignite a fear like nothing else. However, when you are running a start-up, deadlines are essential as they will keep you on track and will ensure you avoid spending too long on one aspect of your business, and neglect another. Deadlines will keep you on track, and keep you organized, too, due to their pressing nature. It ensures your time is managed effectively. Utilize calendar tools to assign deadlines, so that you don’t have to depend on your own personal calendar. You will soon realize that deadlines are your best friend.
Get enough sleep and start your day early
The early bird catches the worm. This phrase rings true for any business model, especially a startup; you will feel more alert and achieve more with your day the earlier you rise, and will sleep better, too. And speaking of sleep, it’s super important that you get enough hours in every night. Sleep helps keep your brain refreshed and sharp.
Don’t multi-task
In a startup’s early days, it can seem tempting to say yes to everything and try and keep multiple plates spinning to ensure you have control of every single situation. Focusing on one task at a time will increase your productivity, work output and creativity as you will be able to give the job 100% of your attention and skills. The more tasks you try to manage at the same time, the more mistakes you will make. The same goes for procrastination – this only leads to rushed work, errors, and a lack of quality in the end result. None of this will reflect well your business, and you and your employees will burn out, too.