Running a business is not easy as it requires you to balance many tasks simultaneously while managing the pressure of being responsible for your company. Finding ways to alleviate this pressure and reduce the stress you are under is vital to keep running your business to the best of your ability.  One key factor that may be adding to your stress is a lack of time. If you are short on time and constantly trying to pack more into every working day, this can pile on the pressure. Looking for ways to cut down on the most time-consuming tasks is a great way to free up more time in your day and ensure you are as productive as possible. You can start to reclaim your time and get the most from your days by identifying which areas of your business are draining your working hours. Taking on an employee to assist you may seem like the obvious solution when you have too much to do and are short on time. But, this is not always possible due to the additional costs involved. Instead, you may find it helpful to look for alternative solutions to save yourself time. Here are some effective methods that will free up more of your day and allow you to focus on helping your company to grow even more successful:

If your work phone keeps ringing, it is good news as it means that your services are in demand and that you have a steady stream of work coming in. The problem is the more time you spend answering the phone, the less time you have to get your work completed. Constantly stopping to answer the phone can mean that you fall behind on your jobs and never get on top of your workload. Ignoring the phone is one option, but this means that your customers will receive bad service, and you may miss out on future jobs. The best way to resolve this issue is to use a small business telephone answering service to take care of your calls in a professional manner while you are free to get on with your work without distractions.

Just as constantly answering the phone can eat into your workday, the same applies to emails. When you are repeatedly checking your emails and responding to them throughout the day, your working hours can be quickly swallowed up, and you may feel like you are accomplishing nothing at all. To prevent this happening, it is a good idea to set aside a specific time each day to catch up with your emails. When you keep a set period of time free each day for emails, you should find you are able to give them your full attention and get through them faster. 

Although it may sound strange, taking regular breaks throughout the day can actually help you get more work done. When you are struggling with your workload, it can be hard to prioritse what to do first, and your tasks may take longer to complete as you may struggle to focus your attention. Taking breaks, even when you are busy, is an excellent way to regain your focus. Getting some fresh air and stepping away from your work will allow you to return to your task with a clear head and a new perspective on the job.

Sometimes, when work gets busy, it is challenging to know where to start with your tasks, and you may find yourself wasting time trying to decide where to even begin. Starting your day with a plan of action is a great way to get more done. Thinking about what you hope to accomplish each day and then formulating the most logical way to achieve this is a helpful way to increase your productivity. You may find it useful to make a to-do list and order your tasks at the end of each day ready for the following morning. Getting organised and making a list is an excellent way to squeeze the most work into each day and will ensure that you maximise every minute of your time.

When you are building up a business, a lack of time will always be an issue. But, seeking out ways that you can organise your workload and get help with your most time-consuming tasks will allow you to maintain your focus and keep driving your small business onwards towards success.