Conquer your to-do list with these 10 Time-Saving Techniques

We are all trying to save time. It’s the one commodity that we all have the same of so the solution is how not to waste it and how to use it effectively.

Michelle from Virtual Hand who put together these handy tips said “This is a blog that never goes to waste – you can always find one thing that you can implement to save time. So here goes, 10 tips to support your search for ways to save time.”

1. Prioritize your tasks: Make a list of the most important tasks you need to accomplish each day and tackle them first. This way, you can ensure that you are making the most of your time and not wasting it on unimportant tasks. Everyone has heard of the ‘Eat that frog’ by Brian Tracey. Pick the worst one, dive in and complete it. The other side of this is to do all the quick and easy ones to leave the big one to finish when you have the rest of the day to complete – unless you’ve tried to cram too much in!

1. Use a task manager: Utilize task manager applications or tools to help you stay organized and on track. This will help you manage your time more efficiently and help you stay focused on your goals. Here at Virtual Hand, we use Asana – a great project management tool to help you set out all work that needs to be done – add an assignee to complete the work and add a date for completion.

1. Automate routine tasks: Look for ways to automate repetitive or routine tasks such as email responses, invoicing, and data entry. This will save you time and help you focus on more important tasks.

1. Take regular breaks: Taking regular breaks can actually help you save time in the long run. When you take breaks, you give your brain a chance to rest and recharge, which can help you be more productive when you return to work.

1. Delegate tasks: Learn to delegate tasks to others who are capable of handling them. This will help you free up time for more important tasks and also give you the opportunity to develop and trust others. Outsourcing is our business – why wouldn’t you offload the tasks you prefer not to do – be that to your team or an external outsourced support team?

1. Use templates: Create templates for frequently used documents such as email responses, proposals, and invoices. This will help you save time and also ensure consistency across different documents.

1. Avoid multitasking: Contrary to popular belief, multitasking can actually be counterproductive. Instead, focus on one task at a time and give it your full attention. Tick off tasks consistently throughout the day rather than trying to do multiple ones at the same time and perhaps not complete one of them!

1. Learn keyboard shortcuts: Keyboard shortcuts can save you a lot of time when working on your computer. Take the time to learn them and use them regularly.

1. Use the Pomodoro technique: The Pomodoro technique involves working in focused 25-minute increments with short breaks in between. This can help you stay focused and be more productive. Get a snazzy timer to make it even more fun!

1. Minimize distractions: Minimize distractions such as social media, email, and phone notifications. This will help you stay focused on your tasks and save time. Turning off all those tabs on your computer will help you to focus on one task at a time.

Is there one that you can employ to help save you time? Is it time to work with an outsourced provider? There are many options. Happy to chat if this is something you’d like to learn more.