Running a business comes with a lot of responsibilities. Many entrepreneurs and business owners respond by simply putting in more hours. This can actually hurt your ability to run your company well and create feelings of burnout. In this article, we’re going to explore eight effective ways to work smarter each day, not harder.

1. Avoid Multitasking

One of the biggest mistakes that entrepreneurs and business owners make with their time is trying to do everything at once. While you might feel like you are getting a lot done, you are likely damaging your productivity. The Cleveland Clinic found that less than 3% of people can successfully multitask. For the rest of us, trying to do multiple things at once increases the chances of making errors and reduces our efficiency.

You might be multitasking without knowing it. Even small distractions such as phone notifications and email pop-ups can pull your mind away from the task at hand. Try to turn these notifications off whenever possible.

2. Eliminate Low-Value Tasks

Not all tasks are created equal. Some activities during the day can have major impacts on your business; others are simply a waste of time. To identify low-value tasks, keep a log of all your activities in a day or week. Then, look at each item and ask yourself if completing these tasks adds value to your business or is a good use of your time. Remove any items that you identify as low-value. This will not only cut down your to-do list but will allow you more time to focus on business-critical activities.

3. Delegate Or Outsource Tasks To Others

Just because some activities are business-critical does not mean that you need to do them yourself. If possible, delegate or outsource tasks to others. This is especially important if you don’t have expertise in that activity. For example, if you don’t have a strong accounting background, you should offload your journal entries to a professional bookkeeper. It's also valuable for cultivating an ownership mindset in your team.

Keep in mind that this can work even if you are a solo entrepreneur. Just because you don’t have an in-house team doesn’t mean that there aren’t professionals who can be brought in on a project-by-project basis.

4. Leverage Automation And Technology

Technology and automation can have major impacts on the amount of time it takes to complete work. Many business owners and entrepreneurs avoid technology because they fear it will be expensive or too complicated to implement. While rolling out artificial intelligence (AI) may be unrealistic for a startup, there are plenty of automation tools available with standard programs that you are likely already familiar with. Microsoft Outlook, for example, has dozens of features that can automatically sort, organize and streamline your inbox.

(For additional project management ideas, see my recent article, "Six Project Management Methodologies For Control Freak Entrepreneurs.")

5. Organize Your Time

Every entrepreneur wishes for more hours in the day. Unfortunately, we’re stuck with the standard 24. However, if you properly organize your schedule, you can free up many valuable hours throughout the week.

Everyone works differently. For some, checklists work great. Others require a different approach, such as using an online time management tool. Find what works best for you to keep yourself organized. Make sure that whatever system you use, you have the ability to prioritize tasks so that you can focus on the most important items each day. Also, make sure that what you are working on has a deadline.

Finally, break large tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. You might not have five hours to set aside to create an entire presentation for an upcoming client meeting, but you likely have 30 minutes to draft the presentation outline. Sometimes, getting started is the most difficult part.

6. Batch Your Tasks

Switching between tasks can severely impact your ability to work efficiently. One of the biggest culprits is email. Think about how many times you pop into your inbox to see if you got a response from a vendor or client. Each time you change tasks, your brain needs to adjust to the new activity. This usually takes several minutes for you to take your mind off the last task.

Instead, grouping similar tasks together can help keep you focused. For example, setting aside specific times of day to clear out your messages or return phone calls will save you lots of time.

7. Create A Routine

If you go into each day without a plan, it’s likely that you would benefit from a structured routine. Creating a daily routine can help you feel less overwhelmed with the weekly responsibilities and avoid procrastination because you already know what to expect.

When creating a routine, make sure that it matches your personal working style. If you are a night owl, having an early-morning routine likely won’t work for you. Don’t forget to factor breaks and stopping times into your routine.

8. Take Time To Recharge

Many entrepreneurs have this underlying dread or anxiety if they aren’t constantly doing something. What feels like productivity may actually hinder your ability to work effectively. It’s critical that you take time to step away from your business and recharge.

Activities like taking a midday nap, going for a walk, spending time in nature or unplugging for the weekend can have amazing benefits for your stress levels and mental well-being. Even scheduling a workday that is intentionally free of meetings can be a refreshing way to rebuild your energy.

Finding What Works Best For You

We're all different. Feel free to experiment with different ways of approaching your work that will create the greatest benefits for your business. Sometimes getting an outside perspective is exactly what you need. Talking to other entrepreneurs or a business coach can help you better understand what things you could implement to improve your workday.

Set up a time to chat now - here’s my schedule.

Would you like to increase your revenue this year? Check this out: https://www.exactlywhereiwanttobe.com/MoreRevenue

➜ Get my FREE Weekly Entrepreneurial Inspiration: https://www.exactlywhereiwanttobe.com/entrepreneur

Eight Effective Ways Entrepreneurs And Business Owners Can Work Smarter, Not Harder