Managing Your Time as a Solopreneur 101

If you started your own business, you’re the sole decision-maker responsible for all day-to-day operations and bear the weight of all successes and failures. You’ve got a lot on your plate. You’re a solopreneur, meaning you fly on your own and pave your path. Currently, estimates state that there are more than 41 million solopreneurs in America alone.

The Solopreneur Stress

However, with GR8 responsibility can come GR8 stress. You have a million things to do, both big and small. About to sign a big deal? That’s all for you. It may seem challenging to juggle it all. With proper time management, it is possible. Use the tips below to get organized, avoid common time management mistakes we all make and get things done.

It’s been shown that effective time management is the key to preventing burnout, which is especially essential for solopreneurs.

Learn Bullet Journaling

Learning how to bullet journal can help you prepare a list of daily tasks, weekly tasks, and monthly tasks. It shows you the larger picture of what you have to accomplish in a simple, condensed way. You can track notes, new tasks, tasks that are currently in progress, complete tasks, appointments and meetings, and more.

Part of bullet journaling is crossing out or marking off things that are done or no longer needed, which lends a sense of clarity to a schedule that can seem overwhelming.

Use a Time Management App

Everyone needs a little help. Just because you’re running things on your own doesn’t mean that there aren’t resources available. Check out the best time management apps to help yourself stay on track. You can get regular reports on how you’re spending your time, helping you identify the less important things that may be taking away from your productivity.

Follow the Pareto Principle

The Pareto Principle, also known as the 80/20 rule of time management, helps you gain a better perspective of all those small tasks that seem so large. The rule states that out of everything on your to-do list, only 20% of them need to be taken care of imminently. It can help you better understand the time you’re spending on tasks that don’t impact your level of success and focus more intently on the things that do.

Practice Makes Perfect

As with any new learning experience, it takes practice and dedication to master a system of time management that works for you. As a solopreneur, thrive on motivation. Take that same passion and put it into organizing your time and figuring out how to track your progress.

Over time, you’ll be able to compare what works and what doesn’t work, see the data behind your accomplishments, and set realistic goals for yourself and your business. Once you have everything down on paper, you’ll be more efficient and have a better sense of where you’re headed next.

If you’re a solopreneur, we want to hear from you. Let us know the best time management tip you’ve ever received.