9 ways to save time and be more productive.

1. Schedule ‘strategic planning blocks’ to spend time working on your goals. Time spent on planning what you’re going to do is a highly effective way to keep that ‘helicopter view’. It’s about working ‘on’ your business, rather than just fighting fires ‘in’ your business. Unfortunately, many small businesses don’t take time for this.
2. Use travel time to listen to audio books. Use travel time or activities where you don’t have to think too much (such as walking by yourself or gardening) to listen to audio books or podcasts. I have a subscription to www.audible.com.au and love listening to business books or other novels.
3. Stop bitching, start batching! Too many emails, calls to make, admin, meetings, errands etc? Group them together and you’ll see how much faster you get these done rather than jump from one task to the other. This brings me to my next tip:
4. Stop multi-tasking, start single tasking. Multi-tasking is a very inefficient way to work. By jumping from one task or project to another, your brain constantly needs time to adjust. By single-taking, just focusing on 1 thing at a time and finish it, you’ll achieve a lot more. So satisfying! 
5. Run smarter meetings and run meetings smarter. If you have to attend a lot of meetings in your job, try to keep meetings to a set amount time (eg no more than 1 hr). An effective way is to plan several meetings in a row, so you don’t waste in between meetings as it’s often difficult to focus on a task for a short time. This will also ‘force’ you to stick to the time you set. Do have a set agenda and clear (desired) outcome for each meeting and communicate these at the start of the meeting. Oh, and remind people to attend the meeting to be on time! 
6. Keep 1 day free from meetings. Meetings can distract and take up a lot of time. If you want some very productive time, keep one day in your diary free from meetings. The work you get done!!
7. Learn to say no to commitments that waste your time and energy. Prioritise commitments that are important and enjoyable to you.   
8. Be decisive! Try to make decisions promptly and move on to the next task or project. This way, you get things done rather than waste time going back and forth. 
9. Take a break! If you’re really busy, it can be tempting to just keep on working. But if you take a break and get some exercise, you’ll come back refreshed, relaxed and ready to tackle the rest of the day. I take my dog Jessi for a big walk each day. It’s a habit that keeps me fit and energised. 
   And don't forget to plan that next holiday! There's nothing like being in a new and different environment to recharge your batteries!

Till next week, Marijke

Do you run a tourism business in the Christchurch or Canterbury region? Then don't miss the next Tourism Business Success Programme. Start: 5th December 2018 in Christchurch.  Click here for more info!

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