Key Takeaways:
- Time management can be made easier with the right mindset, habits, and tools in place.
- There are dozens, if not hundreds, of applications on the market that can help you and your business succeed in managing time and productivity.
- Time management is equally important for businesses, solopreneurs or freelancers, and remote employees.
Time management is one of the toughest aspects of being an entrepreneur, solopreneur, freelancer, or remote employee. However, time management is essential for productivity, whether alone or as part of a team.
One of the most rewarding yet demanding aspects of business ownership or working on your own, believe it or not, is liberty. Freedom allows you to soar but can also bring you to a crashing halt.
There is a scene I used to live in daily. It went something like this:
I’d sit down at my computer in the morning, armed with the “To Do” list I dutifully created the night before. I’d check my email, which often led to something interesting to explore, and then BAM, I was off to the races.
- Carefully crafted list – gone
- Email and social media distractions – present
- Proverbial rabbit holes – explored
- The day’s “To Do’s” – woefully behind schedule
So, from experience, I know you made that to-do list, but it didn’t work. However, it still has value; a time management to-do list can benefit productivity with other tools and habits in place.
In this article, we’ll explore time management practices, tools, and habits that will make you and your team more productive.
Will a To-Do List Really Help With Time Management?
In the past, I used a legal pad and pen. Then I graduated to my Google Calendar and the free app on my iPhone to stay ahead.
But, as my business grew, I needed more because the calendar and app stopped working. So, to address my daily schedule, I did some research and discovered many terrific applications out there, both free and premium.
With some trial and error, I finally landed on the PiCal app, specially designed for those with ADHD (that’s me!). PiCal helps alleviate time and sound blindness, eliminates clutter and distraction, and does so much more – you could get sidetracked for hours just setting it up! I’m kidding, of course, but it was fun.
The PiCal app is beneficial. I love it for keeping my work and personal business in line. However, when I hired a few freelancers, I still needed to address my business needs regarding teamwork and time management.
What’s the Best Way to Manage Time and Boost Teamwork?
As an optimized content writer, content marketer, and SEO practitioner, I eventually built my business to a point where I needed help. So, I gradually added various freelance service providers to my team.
Things started to get messy. With so much going on, it was easy for tasks to get lost in the sauce.
Having been a freelance writer myself in the past, I’ve worked with just about every project management system in the market. You name it: I’ve probably used it. TeamWork, Monday.Com, Asana, Airtable, and ClickUp are just a few. I can’t say that any particular one is remarkably better. It’s a matter of needs, team size, budget, and tech-level comfort zones.
Every one of them served the imperative purpose of helping the team stay on track and be productive.
I finally landed on ClickUp for my small team because of its pricing and simplicity. And I’d highly recommend any of those I mentioned above.
Project management systems help teams be more productive by providing one tool for tasks, calendars, document storage, sharing, and more. In addition, most integrate well with other essential applications like SEO tools (for example, Semrush or similar) or customer relationship management (CRM) systems like Infusionsoft by Keap. However, without built-in integration, you can often connect tools with iPaaS Software such as Zapier or Integrately.
A Bit of Digital Time Management and “Coaching” Goes a Long Way Toward Productivity
I admit it. I am powerless over the Internet and its plethora of delightful information. Plus, I often have research to do.
It is helpful to have tools in place that help me stay focused and productive. One tool I’ve found particularly useful has been Rescue Time. This terrific application comes at a small price, but it tells me how much time I spend on everything I do on my computer – and away from it. I can also set it to block time-suck websites (shopping and social media are just two examples), and popups remind me if I’m getting off track. Rescue Time even tells me if I’m putting in too much time on the job, thus helping to alleviate unproductive brain fog and burnout. This can be a real lifesaver and production booster for those working from a home office.
Interruption Defense is Mandatory for Managing Time
Interestingly, when working from a home office, people automatically assume one has all the free time imaginable. Most think nothing of knocking on your office door or popping their head in, telephoning or texting for a chat, asking you to (fill in the blank), and so on.
To avoid interruptions while working, I turn off my email (no popup alerts my ADD brain won’t ignore), turn off my phone, set chat to “away,” and hang a little sign on my door that indicates I am not to be interrupted unless its indeed an emergency.
How Important is Scheduling?
As a writer, I must schedule a time to write for myself, time to do client work (got to pay the bills), and time for everything else. If I don’t keep a formal schedule, I will not get any writing done, resulting in an uncomfortable lack of income and (definitely) no bestseller.
I have time blocked out for my family, writing, meals, me-time, work, meetings, email, and the unexpected (which typically stems from checking my email). And, like so many experts have suggested, I only check that email inbox thrice daily, which, according to said experts, is slightly excessive.
How Does Health and Well-Being Affect Time Management?
While it may seem strange to include this topic in a post about productivity, good health habits may be the most crucial factor in your cache of tools to help you stay productive.
Most successful people say they get plenty of sleep, meditate, exercise daily, eat healthily, and avoid excessive alcohol consumption. Let’s face it. If you are tired, stressed, hungry, headachey, or sluggish, you are not likely to produce at your best.
Working for oneself– or remotely from home– is beautiful, but it takes self-discipline flanked by healthy habits to succeed. Of course, it doesn’t come naturally to all of us, but everyone can implement practices to learn and adapt to what it takes.
The number one key to success is to make the daily decision to do what you need to do, even if that means putting drastic lifestyle changes into place.
Time Management For Teams or Working Solo: It’s Easier Than You Think
Precious time. It’s so important and yet can seem so elusive. But it doesn’t have to be. By telling yourself there is plenty of time (mindset) and implementing the proper habits and tools, you and your team can make the ample time you have stretch surprisingly far and get it all done with ease.
