In our latest Hello Frances Podcast, Shantelle shares what she is currently prioritizing as the President of Frances Roy. We know that owning a business means you are constantly juggling an infinite number of projects and tasks, but how do you decide what’s most important for your organization? We use these 5 strategies to ensure we are optimizing our time and putting our energy into what matters most. 

Eat the Frog. 

We’re sure you’ve heard this saying before, we are reiterating it because it’s true! Eating the frog simply means getting the most daunting task of the day completed first. If you have something that has been lingering on your to-do list for too long or it is sticking around in the back of your mind all day distracting you from the task at hand, just get it done! Completing these tasks frees up your mental space, allowing you to feel accomplished and ready to tackle the next project. Oftentimes, these undertakings actually take less time than anticipated and are not as bad as we thought them to be. 

Delegate. 

As a business owner, the number of daily tasks never ends, but you can eliminate some of them by delegating. We know this is hard in the beginning, but trust us when we say that it is absolutely necessary for your business to thrive. Start by getting rid of the tasks you don’t enjoy doing. If you dislike certain aspects of your position, it’s easier to give those up at first than those that bring you joy. If you do not have team members to delegate to yet, consider outsourcing to a trusted professional. 

Time block.

As Shantelle discusses in our latest episode of the Hello Frances Podcast, we suggest consistently blocking time on your calendar for yourself. Whether this time is for you to work out, recharge mentally, or work on long-term goals, setting aside personal time is crucial for a business owner to thrive. Without prioritizing this, business owners can feel burnout and like they are spinning their wheels without getting anywhere. This time is crucial for your business's long-term success.  

Say No. 

We want to help others succeed, especially if we are intrinsically motivated by purpose, but we simply can’t do it all. Learn to say no to opportunities that are not financially viable for your business, that are not a right fit culturally, or that you simply do not want to do. By reducing the number of projects you dedicate your time to, you open up more time to focus on what you enjoy and what is most important to you and your business. 

Turn off notifications. 

Yep, we said it! We know how hard this can be as a business owner, but even doing this for a few hours a day will open up so much free time. Decide an appropriate time frame to disregard all nonessential calls, texts, emails, and social media notifications and let those around you know that you will be unavailable during those times. Turning off notifications allows you to have uninterrupted time to focus on what matters most.  

What strategies do you implement to maximize your time? Let us know what you have found to work best!