I get asked this question a lot:
“Where do you find the time, you’ve got so much going on?”
That’s a fair question considering all the projects I’m involved in. That being said, I realized a long time ago the best use of my time was NOT doing it all myself.
Here’s how I work smarter, not harder. First lets start with some general assumptions.
Assumptions:
- You own a company
- Your time is worth more than $50 an hour
- You want more time
- You can manage people
- You live alone
Here some tips that I’ve used to highly leverage my day so that I can focus on the tasks that are truly valuable to me, and help me focus on areas that require my unique skills, knowledge and experience.
Ordered by Highest Value
1. Financial Management
Your time is probably best spent with customers, employees or partners -> not trying to consolidate your accounts, submitting expenses or generating invoices. Also, doing this forces you to automate / systematize your business = a good thing. Hire a bookkeeper.
2. Recruiting
If you’ve ever tried to hire someone in the past, you know the amount of time it takes to source (find), review and interview candidates. The interview is probably the only tasks that requires your time. Define the requirements and outsource this process, its worth the money. I use www.getross.com.
3. Virtual Assistant
I need to thank Tim Ferris (author: 4 Hour Workweek) for introducing me to Virtual Assistants (VA’s) back in 2007. Since then, I’ve used over a dozen VA’s to accomplish various tasks such as; market research, email campaigns, webinars, website updates, scheduling, email processing, purchasing, etc.
4. Apple + Google + 37Signals + Freshbooks
I get tremendous productivity & time savings from using products that just work and stay out of my way. I certainly feel that way about my MacBook, iPhone, Google Apps for Domains, Freshbooks, and Basecamp + Highrise by @37signals.
5. Contractors
You can’t possibly learn every aspect of your business, so it only makes sense to use specialist for specific areas to get tremendous leverage. My favorite types of things to outsource lately have been.
- Media Training (@iancaptisck)
- Development (@spheric)
- Design (@spindledesco)
- Management Consultants
6. Laundry
How much time do you spend a month doing laundry … think about it. Washing / Drying & FOLDING? I decided a long time ago that it wasn’t for me.
7. Cleaning
I’m not lazy, I just find zero satisfaction in cleaning my apartment. I would much rather spend those 6 hours a week outside on my bike, or hanging with a start up talking about growth strategies and viral loops!
Next on my plans for more leverage?
- Full Time Assistant (a.k.a VP of Everything): ASAP
- Driver: in the future, when there’s a need). Thx @marcvanderchijs for the tip
- Email Inbox Processing
Is there anything you do that adds tremendous leverage to your time? Please share in the comments below.
