Are you grappling with managing your time? Or, are you an expert at managing your time? If the latter, then congratulations! Don’t waste any more precious time reading further! However, if you are like me (and the vast majority of mere mortals), you know only too well how difficult it is to make the best use of time – so read on!

Throughout my business career and as a business owner, I have learned and implemented strategies that have worked for me. However, it’s important not to be prescriptive about these. How you manage your time (what works for you) is ultimately down to each of us as individuals. There is no ‘one size fits all’.

However, through the IAE Toolkit™ and Business Growth Workshops, you can learn from experienced entrepreneurs the practical actions for success – including how to get the most out of your precious time. So why not sign up today…..    

Not ready yet to attend an IAE Workshop to get to grips with your Time Management?

If so, read on for these ‘Top ten time management tips’ for entrepreneurs (and business executives), in no particular order: 

1. Prioritise high-impact tasks

Focus on tasks that move the needle for your business, such as strategy, growth, and customer acquisition. Use the 80/20 rule (Pareto Principle) — 20% of your tasks will yield 80% of your results, so prioritise those.

Tip: Each day, ask yourself, “What one task can I complete today that will impact my business?”

2. Time blocking

Entrepreneurs often have to wear many hats, so time blocking is essential. Block out specific times for deep work, meetings, emails, marketing, product development, and self-care. By allocating dedicated time to each activity, you can prevent burnout and focus more effectively.

Tip: Use a calendar to block out time for each responsibility/activity and set reminders.

3. Delegate & outsource

You can’t do everything yourself. Delegating or outsourcing tasks (even if it’s just one or two things) will free you up to focus on growing the business. This could include hiring freelancers, using virtual assistants, or investing in automation tools.

Tip: Make a list of tasks that drain your time but don’t require your unique expertise, and find someone else to handle them.

4. Set clear, measurable goals

Establish SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to guide your day-to-day actions. Break down long-term goals into smaller, achievable weekly or monthly targets.

Tip: Write your goals down, track progress regularly, and adjust if necessary. Many tools (e.g., Trello) can assist with this.

5. Minimise time-consuming tasks

As an entrepreneur, there are always tasks that can eat up your time without providing much return. Identify low-value tasks—excessive email checking, long meetings, or unnecessary admin work—and try to eliminate or streamline them.

Tip: Use tools such as Zapier to automate repetitive tasks or set aside specific times to check and respond to emails (e.g., once in the morning and once in the afternoon).

6. Work on your business, not just in it

Getting stuck in the daily grind is easy, but you must focus on strategic thinking and future growth. Schedule weekly or monthly strategy sessions where you work on your business rather than just executing tasks.

Tip: Block time every week for reflection and long-term planning. Ask yourself: Where is the business heading, and what must you do next to get there?

7. Learn to say ‘No’!

As an entrepreneur, opportunities and requests will always come your way. Being selective about what you say ‘yes’ to protects your time and energy.

Tip: Practice saying ‘no’ to tasks, opportunities, or partnerships that don’t align with your current priorities or long-term vision.

8. Take care of yourself

Time management is not just about working harder but smarter. Entrepreneurs often sacrifice their health for success, but neglecting your physical and mental well-being can backfire in the long run.

Tip: Schedule regular breaks, exercise, and sleep. Set boundaries for work-life balance to avoid burnout.

9. Batch similar tasks

Group similar tasks together and complete them during designated times (e.g., batching all meetings in the afternoon, doing all content creation on a particular day). This minimises distractions and maximises focus.

Tip: Schedule all your calls or meetings for one part of the day to maintain focus during other blocks.

10. Use the “Two-Minute Rule”

If a task will take two minutes or less to complete, e.g. replying to a quick email or sending a short message, do it immediately. This prevents small tasks from building up and overwhelming you later.

Tip: Keep a running list of quick, actionable tasks, and handle them during your shorter focus blocks.

Focusing on what matters most, protecting your time, and delegating what you can will create more space for innovation and growth.

If you want to get to grips with your business or be better equipped to start or lead your enterprise, can you afford not to commit to developing yourself by signing up for the IAE Toolkit™ and Business Growth Workshops?

Article by IAE Founding Member, Malcolm Trotter