Episode 5: How You Can Maximize Your TIME as an Entrepreneur- Part 3 of 3!
Make sure to listen to episodes 3 and 4 for the first two parts of this series on Time Management Tips for the Entrepreneur. Today we have our final installment in the series with 4 more tips, so let’s jump right in!
7. Don’t try to be an expert in things that you aren’t or that you don’t enjoy doing. Delegate!*
*None of these are affiliate links- just services I use and enjoy.
Canva- free graphic design site to make your own logos, social media posts, flyers…IF you’re good at it and enjoy it!
Here are some online places you can outsource almost any design, editing, or administrative work:
o Fiverr
o Upwork
· Don’t try to do your own bookkeeping (unless you were a bookkeeper before you were a therapist!).
o Affordable bookkeeping, accounting, & tax preparation: Mazuma
8. Know when to hire help.
Here’s a photo of the list my business coach helped me make when I was feeling completely overwhelmed as a business owner!
AHHH!! How was I even doing all this? (Probably not very well…ha ha!)
One thing you can try (that I didn’t mention in the podcast) if you are at this point of business ownership, is to do what Christina had me do on this poster: Make a BIG list of everything that you could outsource. This will help you get started to actually finding someone to do the work, because you’ll be able to tell them what exactly you need help doing.
The genius admin brain and business manager behind Outdoor Kids OT is Nicole Storms of Your Admin Solution. Call her if you are drowning and need help! She is so much more than gifted at administrative business tasks— she has the brain of a business owner, is relentlessly positive, and really partners with you in growing your business.
9. Work smarter, not harder.
I know this is kind of a catch phrase, but there are definitely ways we can do this…and Occupational Adaptation theory explains how!
Occupational Adaptation (OA) theory proposes the primary aim of occupational therapy is to increase a client’s relative mastery and adaptive capacity.
Relative mastery = effectiveness, efficiency (which we’ve been talking about in this series!), and level of satisfaction to self and others in completion of occupational tasks/challenges.
Adaptive capacity =
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Noticing the need to change.
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Sufficient psychosocial, cognitive, and sensorimotor skills and resources to meet occupational challenges.
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Ability to problem solve to meet future occupational challenges.
A summary table of Schkade & Schultz’ Occupational Adaptation Theoretical Constructs of Primary & Secondary Energy (We NEED to know when to use each to be efficient business owners!)
Schkade, S. & Schultz, S. (1992). Occupational adaptation: Toward a holistic approach for contemporary practice, part 1. American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 46(9), 829-837.
I LOVE that OA theory applies to our work as business owners and as occupational therapists. I could go on and on…but the main takeaway from this review of OA is that our efficiency affects our relative mastery as business owners! Putting one or more of these tips into action can make you a better entrepreneur…and improve your ability to adapt in the face of future challenges as a business owner!
And finally:
10. TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.
Do not…I repeat, do NOT….let your work take over your life so much that you lose your health or happiness. That is NOT why we became business owners. This is an efficiency tip because if we take care of ourselves, we will be more effective in our work. So decide what healthy habit you want to start doing and get started. Personally, for me it is exercise. I must move my body every single day and I do this consistently (even though I’m not an athlete by any means). I could be better at 1.) eating less sweets and 2.) giving my husband and children the love and attention they deserve for supporting my crazy endeavors. Prioritizing those changes would likely make me more efficient as a business owner because I’d be happier and more balanced.
So here is the final list in all its glory. What are YOU going to take action on today?
