Time Management Tips for Founders

Time management it both a frustrating topic and a necessary evil. The common complaint I have from the founders I coach, is that they do not have enough hours in the day to do what they need to. The biggest unlock that improved my productivity was to stop drinking alcohol, however that another topic. I have found over 2 decades that this is an evolving process and it is definitely something that you can keep improving on over time. So see below 10 things that have helped me focus my precious time.

1. Eisenhower: The Eisenhower Matrix, also known as the Urgent-Important Matrix, helps you prioritize tasks based on their urgency and importance. It encourages founders to focus on tasks that are both urgent and important, delegating less critical tasks, and eliminating those that don't contribute to their goals. For instance, responding to a critical customer issue (urgent and important) should take precedence over less urgent tasks like checking social media.
2. Pareto's Law: Pareto's Principle, often called the 80/20 rule, suggests that 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. Founders can apply this by identifying the most impactful tasks and focusing on them. For instance, if 20% of your products generate 80% of your revenue, concentrate on improving or expanding that product line.
3. Parkinson's Law: Parkinson's Law states that work expands to fill the time available for its completion. Founders should set strict deadlines to prevent unnecessary procrastination. If you allocate 2 hours for a task, it will likely take 2 hours, but if you allocate 4 hours, it may still take the same 2 hours with less focus.
4. Time Boxing: Time boxing involves allocating specific time blocks for tasks or activities. For example, you can allocate 90 minutes for deep work, followed by a 30-minute break. This technique enhances productivity by preventing distractions and ensuring dedicated focus.
5. Tiny Habits: BJ Fogg's Tiny Habits method encourages founders to make small, sustainable changes. Use a streaks app to track your progress, like reading one industry article every morning or sending a thank-you message to a customer daily. These consistent habits can lead to significant improvements over time.
6. Email Management: Designate specific times to check and respond to emails. Turn off notifications in between to avoid constant interruptions. This approach prevents email from dominating your day and allows you to stay focused on essential tasks.
7. Planning Ahead: Planning the night before allows you to start your day with a clear agenda. Write down your top priorities and goals for the next day, so you can hit the ground running in the morning, knowing exactly what needs to be done.
8. Productivity Tools: Utilize project management and productivity tools like Notion, Trello, Asana, or Slack to streamline communication and task management. These tools can help you keep your team organised and informed, improving overall efficiency.
9. Effective Meetings: Keep meetings short and focused by setting clear agendas and goals. Encourage participation and collaboration to make meetings more productive. For instance, limit meetings to 30 minutes and assign specific action items to participants.
10. Embrace Chaos: While structure is essential, sometimes embracing chaos and adaptability is equally important for founders. In a dynamic startup environment, flexibility can be a key asset. Be open to adjusting your plans as needed to seize unexpected opportunities or address unforeseen challenges.

If you were a Client working with me and this was a challenge we would conduct a time audit of your life and work through how best to optimise the most precious resource we have.