subject: How To Start A Bookkeeping Business, Time Management Strategies [print this page] If you are in the process of starting a bookkeeping business, you may need to assess your time management and look at some strategies to get more done in a day. Being your own boss brings with it flexibility and freedom to book client work when it suits you, however being master of your own business also brings a number of new business challenges. Some of these challenges you might not have been exposed to as an employee, however as the business owner you now need to deal with them. This can often send people in multiple directions when starting their business and as a result their time management skills suddenly fly out the window.
Are you ready for work at 9.00am dress and ready to start the day, or are you still in your pyjamas wondering what to tackle next? Sometimes having the freedom to suit your own schedule brings with it and endless to do list which sometimes consists more of personal errands than business owner tasks. If this sounds like you, an easy way to combat this is to write your to do list in order of revenue priority. This basically means, if the to do item is either going to bring you revenue or assist with bringing in revenue, make it a top priority.
You might find yourself in the alternative position where all of a sudden, beacuse you are based at home, ever waking moment is spent in your home office and you can't switch off. No business owner can work all the time and you will make better decisions with some down time. If you are constantly in your office, make sure you limit your day and have a finish time in your diary. Stick to it, shut the computer down and don't go back until your starting time the next day.
If you know emails are a time robber for you, implement a strategy where you only check emails at a certain time of the day and keep your email closed until your scheduled checking time. It is easy to look at a funny email from a friend who sends you to watch a video on You Tube and then two hours later realise although you have had a lot of fun, you have not really achieved anything from a work point of view.
Working from home can also see friends becoming time robbers when they just drop in. It can be a tricky situation, but trying to educate friend and family that working from home actually entails work. Try to keep the visits to a short time, such as a half hour coffee and catch up and then excuse yourself.
Being your own boss can bring with it many rewards and also many challenges. Your time is precious and you can only earn a capped amount according to the time you have available. It is important for you to look at your time management and put strategies into place to maximise your time whilst enjoying your newfound freedom as a business owner.
