Are you feeling overwhelmed with client meetings filling up your calendar from morning to night? Pat Miller, founder of the Small Business Owners Community, shares a simple yet effective strategy to reclaim your time and boost productivity.
- Step 1: Start with a Blank Slate: Clear your calendar from Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 5:00. This doesn't mean canceling client meetings but visualizing a fresh start.
- Step 2: Block Out Your Most Productive Times: Identify when you are most productive. For some, it's the afternoon; for others, like Pat, it's early morning. Reserve these peak productivity hours for yourself and your business.
- Step 3: Schedule Family Commitments: Ensure you block out time for family obligations, such as picking up your kids or attending important events.
- Step 4: Honor Personal Preferences:If you prefer not to work certain times, like Monday afternoons, block those off too. As a small business owner, you have the flexibility to design your schedule.
- Step 5: Open Your Calendar to Clients: After reserving your productive times, family commitments, and personal preferences, use a calendar tool like Calendly to manage client bookings. This ensures clients can't book during your most valuable times.
By following these steps, you can create a balanced schedule that prioritizes your needs while still serving your clients effectively. Remember, the key to a successful small business is managing your time wisely.
About the Author
Pat Miller is the founder of the Small Business Summary newsletter and a passionate advocate for small business owners.