I coach many small business owners and a recurring theme seems to be around getting organized enough to make time to actually be able to do the things we put on their action plans.
Part of the problem lies with coming into your office and seeing piles of papers and projects spread over your desk. It often makes you feel like you don’t know where to start because you have so many things that need your attention.
I know that many business owners (myself included) can get sucked into working away on projects or meetings right up until the moment we need to run out the door to get to a meeting or social event, or get home for dinner with our families. When we do this, it leaves us feeling rushed and scattered, and when we return to our offices, we waste valuable time trying to pull ourselves together to be productive.
What I suggest for my clients (and need to remind myself periodically!) is that you actually block a time on your calendar – with a reminder that pops up on your screen, to stop what you are doing at least 15 minutes, or even 30 minutes before you need to leave the office to get closure on your day and be more ready for the next one.
This is the time to save and file electronic documents, file away any physical papers or files (even if they go into your inbox for tomorrow), and take stock of what you need to focus on when you get back to the office next, and make sure you capture anything that needs to get on your “to do” list.
If you follow this advice, I know you will be more productive and less stressed, a good combo, don’t you think?