How to Have a Productive Day

For most small business owners, time management is a big struggle; there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done, and the to-do list seems never-ending. Here are a few basic tips to follow to help tackle the most important tasks every day, all while staying sane and still having some free time to spare.

Schedule the most important things for the best time of day

One of the fascinating facts about human nature is that every person has a time of day that’s “best” for them: when they’re the most productive, and their brain is sharpest. Some people are morning people, and others are most productive in the afternoon or even the middle of the night. This phenomenon is sometimes called a person’s chronotype, and it often aligns closely with a person’s natural sleep schedule and circadian rhythms.

It’s generally wise for a business owner to plan their tasks around their body’s natural preferences, planning their most difficult tasks for the time of day when they’re best equipped to handle them. For example, an early riser might pack their morning routine with trickier tasks like brainstorming, data analytics, or report drafting since it’s easier for them to stay focused in the early part of the day. Then, in the late afternoon, they could work on tasks that are easier or more mindless, such as culling unwanted email subscriptions, data entry, or cleaning equipment.

This approach sounds really simple, but in the long run, it can make a big difference towards having a productive day.

Try out time blocking

Some professionals swear by time blocking. The premise is pretty simple: setting up “blocks” or “chunks” of time and dedicating them to specific tasks (and those tasks only). For example, one business owner might set aside the first thirty minutes of their day to answer DMs and emails. Once that time block ends, they’ll move on to another task (leaving email alone for the rest of the day or until the next time block scheduled for that task). For example, their next time block might be dedicated to deep work on the tasks that require ultimate focus. And thanks to the time blocking approach, they don’t have to get distracted by emails because they’ve already tackled them.

This strategy can be especially helpful for busy professionals who find themselves wasting a lot of time bouncing back and forth between tasks. Having dedicated blocks for specific tasks can help a business owner stay on track.

Don’t underestimate the power of breaks

Entrepreneurs are usually go-getters who love to hustle. They don’t mind working overtime to create a business they’re proud of. So they might be tempted to think that 100% of their energy needs to be dedicated to productivity.

But the fact of the matter is, humans aren’t meant to push themselves to their limits all the time. That can lead to burnout, stress, fatigue, and a host of other problems. It can seem counterintuitive, but smart business owners understand that well-timed work breaks can actually boost productivity. For example, going for a walk (or doing some other form of exercise to get the body moving) is proven to help both mental and physical health. Even a short movement boost can help a professional head back to work refreshed (as opposed to dragging their way through the afternoon).

Getting in a workout isn’t the only option for a break, though. Some business owners love to take time to eat lunch at their favorite restaurant instead of working through lunch. Others might go for a coffee run, read a chapter in their favorite book, or listen to a few songs from their favorite album. Even a few minutes away from the desk can help.

Take time to review at the end of the day

No one unlocks the secret to productivity in a single day. And the productivity hacks that work for one business owner won’t work for another. That’s why many professionals find it helpful to sit down each day and assess what worked well and what didn’t. Was there any wasted time during the day? Did they finish all their non-negotiable tasks? What’s the first thing they need to do the next day? Based on what they learn during these few minutes of review, a business owner can plan out their schedule for tomorrow.

The old proverb rings true here: “Failing to plan is planning to fail.” When someone makes it a habit to assess how they spent their time during a long day and improve their time management the next day, they’re more likely to structure their day in a productive manner compared to the professional who just wakes up and plays everything by ear.

Conclusion

It’s easy for an entrepreneur to feel as though they don’t have enough time in the day. But by following a few tips, it’s possible for professionals to change up their schedule and boost productivity and get more done in less time. And these tips aren’t an exhaustive list; there are lots of other hacks to try. With a little experimentation and a willingness to learn, business owners can find the productivity strategies that work for them and their personal routine.

Good luck!

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