If you own and manage a business, staying organized isn’t optional, but rather necessary. By staying organized on a daily basis, you can do a better job of managing your tasks and growing a productive business. Being organized will allow you to balance projects without feeling overwhelmed and it will minimize stress and anxiety. It will help you work more efficiently and ensure you aren’t wasting precious time. Furthermore, it will improve your focus and help you build a business model for success. Here are just a few tips to help you become a more organized business owner.
Declutter Your Space
First things first, you need to get your workspace and tools in order. A clean and organized workspace will minimize distractions, increase efficiency, and allow you to easily find the tools and materials needed to complete your tasks. Start by decluttering your computer. Take a few minutes each day to delete old emails and unnecessary files, and move important documents into relevant folders. You can also eliminate stacks of paperwork and overflowing file cabinets by scanning your documents and importing them into an online file management system. You may still receive paper documents such as bills or invoices, but be sure to keep them neatly stored in a desktop organizer or file cabinet. Finally, manage your cables with some simple zip-ties or under-desk cable trays. Set aside about 10 minutes at the end of each day to tidy up your workspace and prepare it for the next day.
Make a Daily To-Do List
To-do lists are one of the most important components of business organization. You can do this the old-fashioned way by simply jotting down your tasks for the day, or you can utilize an online tool to help you schedule daily tasks. Be sure to set a specific time for each task, otherwise it’s easy to skip over it and put it off. Be sure to number your tasks according to priority and rearrange as needed. Mark things off as they are completed, as this will give you a sense of accomplishment when you visually see a list of tasks with check marks. You should end each day writing your to-do list for the next day.
Keep and Updated Calendar
The minute you schedule a call, meeting, lunch, or business trip, add it to your calendar. Your calendar is an important resource for keeping track of important dates and times. This will make it easier to see what you have going on for the month and it will prevent you from double booking your time. By using an online calendar, you can easily access your schedule from any computer or mobile device.
Respond to Emails Right Away
It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you are inundated with emails on a daily basis. Rather than periodically checking your email and setting aside responses for a later time, dedicate a block of time each day to checking and responding to emails. This will ensure you never forget to respond to an important email, and it will also prevent emails from interrupting your work all day,
Manage Your Contacts
From business partners and staff members to customers and vendors, business owners will undoubtedly build up a network of contacts. Luckily, there are various management tools available to help you keep track of all your contacts in one place. This will save you time sifting through old emails to find contact information. These management tools make it easy to access your entire contact list even while on the go.