Written by: Susanne Grant, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Time-management and productivity tips, tricks and hacks are everywhere to be found. But when trying to improve your own time-management skills slapping on some bandit solution will often not cut it and you find yourself even more overwhelmed. A lot of times, business owners struggle with keeping on top of all the to-dos. Can you relate?
Do you want to truly understand why you are struggling with managing your time and to-dos effectively? In that case, you need to look at your time mindset (the way you relate to time) and the beliefs you have about time. It's time (pun intended) to figure out what is going on underneath the surface. Here are the 5 myths about time-management every business owner needs to know!
Myth No.1 - Time equals money
When this is one of the beliefs that is running the show, you will struggle with scaling your business past a certain point. Do you keep hitting the same income goals? Or the same number of clients? The chances are that you believe time equals money. We live in a day and age where we can create money on autopilot with the right marketing strategy and generate what is called - passive income - so if you are ready to expand your business but are not managing, look into this belief first because time doesn't have to equal money.
Myth No.2 - Being busy equals being productive
This belief will keep you feeling overwhelmed and often will drive any business owner into burnout. Just because something on your to-do list - or to-do pile I like to call it - doesn't mean it is exactly something that needs doing. Read that again. Yes, just because something is on your to-do list doesn't mean it has to be done. You need to look at your to-do's with a careful eye. In terms of ROI (return of investment) is the "to do" you are spending your time on, actually giving you the return you desire? 90% of business tasks can be outsourced; think admin, outreach, marketing, design etc. Stay in your zone of genius and solely focus on the tasks that increase the biggest ROI and momentum for your business goals. Outsource the rest.
Myth No.3 - Multitasking improves productivity
Busted!! This myth is definitely one of the biggest lies many of us have to cope with. Multitasking does NOT improve your productivity. In fact, research shows that not multitasking improves your productivity. If you stop multitasking, you will increase your productivity by 40%! Learn to focus your time in a singular fashion. Focus on one thing at a time and get it done. Always start with the task that will create the biggest momentum for your business. Ask yourself this question each day: what is the number No.1 thing I can do today that has the biggest ROI? Break it down and do it!
Myth No.4 - Planning is pointless
Proper preparation is a time saver! When you find yourself overwhelmed with all the to-do's, planning ahead and preparing could feel like a waste of time. However, if you take a step back, take the bird's eye view and observe how to move forward, you will gain the upper hand. Make time each month, each week, and each day, to make a plan - going from general goals to specifics - and slay those goals with ease as you have clarity once again.
Myth No.5 - Time is linear
Have you ever noticed the way you feel about time differs per situation? Some days, time feels like it flies by and other days it feels like it's going so incredibly slow? Did you ever wonder what makes time slow down for you? Start noticing your own patterns. Why? Your perception of time can be changed. When you know what makes time slow down for you, you can start applying it when you need it the most! A simple yet very effective tip to bend time to suit your needs.
When trying to change your time-management skills and mindset, it is important to understand what runs the show underneath. Working with business owners and entrepreneurs like yourself, it often becomes very clear it is not working whatsoever. The balance is far to be found. Your success does NOT mean you have to sacrifice your health, your marriage, or yourself. But this won't change until you do. Get in touch if you want to find out how I can support you, too.
Connect with Susanne on LinkedIn. You can find out more at grantmethod.com and sign up for her newsletter for her latest tips and tricks to help you kick your busy habit.
Susanne Grant, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine Susanne Grant is a Work-Life Balance Expert, Intuitive Business Coach & Consultant, International No. 1 Bestselling Author and 2020 Great British Entrepreneur Awards Finalist. She helps business owners - who know they’ve hit a ceiling in their time, energy and/or income - to implement a personalized strategy. This allows them to move forward to achieve their goals with confidence by finding the perfect work-life mix for them, their families and their businesses. Susanne has helped hundreds of clients implement their new strategy via the Grant Method, her unique coaching program which allows her clients get clear on what they truly want, on a practical but also an energetic level, figure out how these pieces fit together and implement these elements back into the business in a way that works for them. She is a strategic, business-minded thinker with the powerful ability to read information from her client's energy; the perfect blend of strategy and spirit to help her clients break through their perceived limitations, upgrade their mindset and take their business to the next level – without the burnout or hustle! Find out more about Susanne Grant and the Grant Method Business Coaching at grantmethod.com
