Episode 1120 – Powerful Time Management Hacks for Business Owners
Introduction
Mike Campion recently hosted Suzanne Bandick, one of the Grow My Cleaning Company ResultsCoaches, on the podcast. Suzanne is known for her exceptional ability to help people make real changes rather than just hear great ideas. In this episode, she tackled a common issue faced by many business owners: the feeling of never having enough time.
The Problem: "I'm Too Busy"
Mike and Suzanne have both noticed a recurring theme in their interactions with clients: everyone seems to be too busy. Whether it’s struggling to find employees, being stuck in a rut, or just running around doing admin work, many business owners feel overwhelmed. Suzanne mentioned that it feels like there’s an infinite amount of tasks to be done, leaving everyone stuck. Mike acknowledged that while he has thoughts on the issue, Suzanne has actual strategies to offer.
The Myth of Not Enough Time
Mike began by addressing the common complaint, “I don’t have enough time.” She explained that everyone has the same 24 hours in a day, and the difference lies in how people allocate their time. Successful individuals, like Elon Musk, simply focus their time better. Mike added that it’s not about having more time or resources; it’s about how one uses their time. Suzanne emphasized that the feeling of being constantly busy is often a story people tell themselves, and it’s time to change that narrative.
Four Strategies to Manage Time Better
- Separate Business and Personal Tasks: Suzanne suggested that people separate their business tasks from personal ones. Mixing the two can cause unnecessary stress. There should be dedicated times for business and personal activities. Mike supported this by sharing his experience of feeling guilty when not being fully present at home or work. Giving oneself permission to focus on one thing at a time can alleviate this guilt.
- Focus on the One Thing: Referring to Gary Keller’s book “The One Thing,” Suzanne advised picking the most important task to accomplish each day. This task should be a revenue or profit mover for the business. Mike agreed, adding that distinguishing between urgent and important tasks is crucial. Urgent tasks might demand immediate attention, but it’s the important ones that truly move the business forward.
- Use the Time Matrix: Suzanne introduced Stephen Covey’s time matrix, which helps categorize tasks into four quadrants: urgent and important, important but not urgent, urgent but not important, and neither urgent nor important. Most of one’s time should be spent on tasks that are important but not urgent, as this is where real progress happens. Mike elaborated that this quadrant, though often overlooked, is where the most significant changes occur.
- Avoid Quadrants Three and Four: Suzanne explained that tasks in quadrant three (urgent but not important) often feel urgent but don’t contribute much to long-term goals. These should be avoided or delegated. Quadrant four tasks (not important and not urgent) are trivial and should be minimized. Recognizing and steering clear of these time-wasting activities can greatly improve efficiency.
The Badge of Honor: Being Organized, Not Busy
Suzanne wrapped up the discussion by challenging the notion that being busy is a badge of honor. True success comes from being organized, calm, and less stressed. Mike echoed this sentiment, noting that employees respect leaders who are in control, not necessarily those who work the longest hours. By applying Suzanne’s strategies, business owners can transform their approach to time management and lead more balanced, productive lives.