Ask An Expert: Getting organized can save you time and money
— -- Q: Hi Steve. I was leafing through the new edition of your book, The Small Business Bible (nice job, by the way!) and came across some ideas about how to better use my time. That struck a nerve as my New Year's resolution is to be more organized. But what does that actually mean? What do other small biz folk do in terms of organization? — Emily
A: Well, first, thanks for the kind words, but as to your point, I think you are onto something with your resolution. Being unorganized costs you time; time that could otherwise be spent growing your business.
Yet with only a few tweaks, running your business could be easier, more enjoyable, and less stressful. And who couldn't use a little of that right now?
I think Michael Gerber, author of The E-Myth, put it best: If you spend too much time working in your business, you won't have enough time to work on your business. That is, if all you have done is create a job for yourself, that's a mistake. It is far better, and smarter, to figure out how to free yourself up to be more entrepreneur, less worker.
Here's how:
1. Plan your day at the start of each day: Before the craziness of the day sets in, begin by looking at what is coming up and then prioritize it. Make a list and try to follow it. That way, instead of events controlling you, you control them. You don't want to spend your days putting out fires.
If you have a day planner, use it. If you use Outlook or a Blackberry instead, be sure to take advantage of their built-in organizational tools.
2. Get and learn the right software: There are so many time-saving productivity software tools out there that it is a mistake not to use and take advantage of them. Software makers spend an inordinate amount of effort on R&D, learning what it is we small business people need. They then create powerful software applications designed to fill those needs.
Buy them. Learn them. Use them.
The mistake many of us make (myself included) is that we get this great software and never take the time to learn everything it can do for us. A day of training can make you far more organized and effective.
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