Starting with 200 cows and currently milking 3,200 cows, Phil’s dairy has been growing fast over the last decade. Phil has successfully grown his herd in more ways than one: adding more barns, more cows, more bunkers and more acres. Phil feels successful, yet he is exhausted. Recently, Phil commented he is constantly running from one task to the next; challenging his time to work on his business. While Phil does not need to be everywhere and oversee everything, he continues to hold onto tasks that are not necessarily the best use of his time.
All owners and managers come to a point when they must let some things go. Here are four tips to better manage your time:
Prioritizing. It’s not always easy prioritizing tasks when everything seems important. However, focusing on time management helps you prioritize tasks in order of importance and urgency. Additionally, it helps you decide whether you need to do a task yourself, delegate it to someone else or eliminate it.
Delegation. Currently, you may be doing important things that other people in your business can do. These tasks, while essential, take you away from your main priorities as a leader. Delegating will help free up some time.
Delegation is the act of letting go, and it is not easy to allow someone else to do things you once did. There is a chance that they may mess up the first couple of times, and while this is difficult to watch and even expensive, it is necessary. Letting go of these lower-level tasks allows you to focus your effort on essential tasks that only you are qualified to do.
Focus. After prioritizing and delegating, you can look at the important things that will propel your business forward which will allow you to focus on your core duties as an owner.
Letting go is hard to do. Remember, not all work is equally important, and letting other employees step up allows them to grow as well. When Phil was approached with the idea of letting a few duties go, he was instantly nervous. As we talked through the benefits, he understood where his time was better spent. By letting go, Phil was able to spend more time on the business model and with his family. Furthermore, Phil has obtained the wisdom to know what to hang on to and what to let go of. Once you let go, you will have room to reach out for new opportunities to allow your business to grow.
