Are you losing track of time? Are you unsure as to where documents are being kept and making sure everything is up to date? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you have come to the right place. Being a business owner means you are in charge of many tasks and responsibilities. While operating my business, I’ve learned five key factors that help me stay organized and make my business a success.
Start With the Area You Think Will be the Easiest to Organize
The first step to staying organized is to start with an easy task. For example, Monday morning, you have 150 emails unopened, four meetings scheduled for the day, and 3 Youtube videos to record and edit. Sound like you? In this scenario, my number one task is to check emails. Yes, it may seem daunting at times, but think of it as one step closer to completing a task. Once this task is complete, you will feel like you have the momentum to keep going.
Being Wise With Your Time
The second step to staying organized is time management. As a business owner, time is never on our side. Implementing a time tracker helps me see how much time I spend on a specific task and work on improving it. Focusing on one document can be exhausting, especially if you have been staring at a screen for several hours. It is essential to regain your focus and energy. Taking a 5-minute break to get a coffee or even sitting outside for a few minutes will help regain your strength and focus on the given task. Managing your time is also about managing your energy and focus.
Make a Plan and Maintain it
The third step to staying organized is planning. Has anyone ever come up to you and said, what’s the plan, boss? You think to yourself, well, that is a great question, and then unsure what to say? We have all been there. Having a plan on what to do for the day will help you and your team stay organized and utilize your time effectively. Categorizing your tasks from high to low priority will give you an outline as to what job needs to be done first. You can also write a to-do list of all the tasks you need to complete. In any situation, whether it would be work, school, or owning a business, the number one tip I could give you is to plan your time wisely.
Track Where You Are Currently
The fourth step to staying organized is to track where you currently are in your business. The word “tracking” can refer to business performance, accomplished goals, financial stability, analytics based on social media, etc. This scenario may apply to most businesses but not all. I recommend having a monthly tracker to see where your business has some advantages; this could be a growth in followers on social media or development in overall performance. You might want to look at disadvantages; this could entail looking at engagement and seeing what your target audience responds to. Maintaining a business is hard work. Knowing where you are and keeping track makes your business run more effectively and outlines where you need improvement.
Figure Out Where You Are Going
The fifth step to staying organized is to find out where you are going. What are your short and long-term goals for your business? Keeping these goals in mind will help you determine the direction of your business. Focus on what makes your business stand out. Be unique and different.
By implementing these five key factors, it will not only help your business stay organized but also focus on time management and productivity. A simple task can go a long way. Designating certain team members to help out completing the project given will be beneficial. Always remember running a business can be stressful and seem like there is so much to do. Don’t lose focus, use your energy wisely, but most importantly, stay organized.