How To Achieve Your Goals And Be More Productive In Your Business
Sandra Quarshie 
Are you tired of feeling like there just isn't enough time in the day to get everything done? Effective time management is the key to maximizing your productivity and achieving your goals.
Time is money, and by managing your time effectively, you can maximise returns on every hour spent attending to your business needs. In this article, we will be exploring some efficient yet simple techniques to help you make the most out of your time.
- SET CLEAR GOALS: Seting clear goals is the first and most important step to being productive. Establishing precise and easy to understand goals help you focus on what needs to be accomplished and it also helps you allocate your time accordingly. When setting your business goals, try to adopt the SMART technique.
The SMART technique ensures that your goals are;
- SPECIFIC: Clearly defined, leaving no room for misinterpretation.
- MEASURABLE: Quantifiable, allowing you to track your progress.
- ACHIEVABLE: Realistic and attainable based on your resources.
- RELEVANT: Aligning with your valued, needs and priorities.
- TIME-BOUND: Having a specific time frame.
- USE A PLANNER OR CALENDER: Be practical, write down all your tasks, appointments and deadlines in a planner or calendar. It can either be a hard copy planner or a digital planner/calendar. This helps you visualise your schedule and also helps you make informed decisions about how to allocate your time.
Free resources like Google workspace , Microsoft suite and Canva offer a wide range of customizable templates that can help you get started with creating a digital planner or calendar. You can search for "calendar templates" or "planner templates" in their templates gallery and just edit them to suit your needs.
- PRIORITIZE TASKS: Identify the most important and urgent task and tackle them first. The Eisenhower Matrix can serve as guide to categorizing your tasks into four sections: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important and not urgent or important.
After categorizing your tasks, take your productivity to the next level by scheduling focused blocks of time. Depending on what you want to work towards, allocate at least three(3) hours of uninterrupted time to concentrate on completing your most critical tasks first. During this period, minimize didtractions, turn off notifications and fully commit to the task at hand. By doing so, you'll make the most out of your time and energy ensuring a productive day.
- TAKE BREAKS: Productivity is not a marathon. Remember to take series of brakes to avoid burnout. After your time blocking period, give yourself permission to step away to refresh your mind. Take a walk, stretch or do something that relaxes you and brings you comfort.
- LEARN TO SAY NO: Don't be too available at all times. Don't over commit yourself by taking on a lot of responsibilities. Learning to say no to requests that don't align with your goals and values gives you ample time to focus on most important tasks.
- LEVERAGE TECHNOLOGY: We live in a digital world where technology shapes the way we work. It is no longer enough to work hard; it's essential to work smart. Explore new tools and platforms that can help you work smarter. Leveraging technology can help you streamline tasks, boost productivity and also achieve more in less time.
- REVIEW AND ADJUST: Reassess your time management strategies and make needed adjustments from time to time. Identify what works for you and stick to it. Be willing to try out new strategies or techniques once in a while.
Effective time management is a skill that can be developed with practice and patience over a period of time. By prioritising tasks and managing your time efficiently, you'll be able to achieve your goals and enjoy a better work-life balance.
