Running a small handmade business often means wearing many hats—creator, marketer, customer service rep, and more. With so many tasks competing for your attention, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed and lose valuable time. Effective time management is key to balancing your business with other responsibilities.
As a small business owner, here are some practical time management tips to help you make the most of your day.
1. Prioritize Tasks with the Eisenhower Matrix
The Eisenhower Matrix helps you categorize tasks based on urgency and importance. It consists of four quadrants:
- Important & Urgent: Do these tasks immediately.
- Important but Not Urgent: Schedule time to do these.
- Urgent but Not Important: Delegate if possible.
- Not Urgent & Not Important: Consider eliminating these tasks. Using this method helps ensure you’re working on what truly matters for your business’s growth, instead of getting sidetracked by minor distractions.
2. Set SMART Goals
SMART goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Setting clear objectives will help you stay focused.
For example, instead of saying, “I want to grow my social media,” a SMART goal would be, “I want to increase my Instagram followers by 10% in the next 3 months by posting consistently and engaging with followers.”
3. Time Block Your Day
Time blocking is a productivity technique where you divide your day into blocks of time, each dedicated to a specific task or type of work.
For instance, you could reserve mornings for creative work like making products and afternoons for administrative tasks such as answering emails, managing orders, or marketing. This structure helps avoid multitasking, which can reduce productivity.
4. Automate Repetitive Tasks
Automation can save you hours each week. Tools like social media schedulers (e.g., Buffer, Later) allow you to schedule posts in advance, while e-commerce platforms like Etsy or Shopify offer tools for automating order confirmations and shipping notifications. By automating these repetitive tasks, you free up time for more strategic efforts.
5. Delegate or Outsource Where Possible
As a small business owner, it’s tempting to do everything yourself. However, learning to delegate tasks like bookkeeping, graphic design, or social media management can free up your time for higher-value activities. If hiring staff isn’t feasible, consider outsourcing or working with freelancers or virtual assistants for part-time help.
6. Use the Pomodoro Technique
The Pomodoro Technique helps you work more efficiently by breaking your workday into intervals—typically 25 minutes of focused work followed by a 5-minute break.
After completing four intervals, take a longer break (15-30 minutes). This method helps prevent burnout and keeps you mentally refreshed throughout the day.
7. Batch Similar Tasks Together
Batching is when you group similar tasks together and complete them in one sitting.
For example, you could designate one afternoon a week to photographing products, another day for packing and shipping orders, and a different day for content creation. This eliminates the time wasted on switching between tasks and lets you maintain focus on one activity at a time.
8. Use a Digital Task Manager
Keeping track of all your responsibilities can be challenging. A task manager like Asana, Trello, or Todoist can help you organize tasks, set deadlines, and track progress. Using a digital tool to keep everything organized ensures nothing falls through the cracks and gives you a sense of accomplishment as you check off tasks.
9. Take Regular Breaks
It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle, but overworking yourself can lead to burnout. Schedule regular breaks throughout your day to recharge. A quick walk, meditation, or a few minutes of stretching can refresh your mind and help maintain your productivity in the long run.
10. Learn to Say No
Not every opportunity is the right fit. Whether it’s a partnership, a custom order, or a side project, learn to evaluate whether new opportunities align with your goals and whether you realistically have time for them. Politely declining some offers allows you to focus on what’s most important for your business’s growth and your personal well-being.
Make These Time Management Tips Work For You
Managing a small handmade business is rewarding but requires excellent time management to stay efficient and avoid burnout. By prioritizing tasks, setting clear goals, and using tools and techniques that streamline your workday, you’ll have more time to focus on growing your business and enjoying the creative process.
Remember, time is your most valuable resource—manage it wisely!