Work smarter: Two time management hacks accountants love

When it comes to time management hacks, there's a few simple ways to ensure you utilise every last minute of your time.
Business | Business Accounting

Time management hacking

Buying time is one of the most valuable investments you can make. Over the years, I’ve tried and tested a number of different tactics to add more hours to the day. If you’re interested in my top time management tips, you can find them here, here and here.

The good news is that you can utilise more than one time saving tactic at a time. Here are two of my favourite methods to stay focused, productive, and time efficient.

Method one: Do-Delegate-Dump

Sorting the important tasks from the time-wasters.

Do it
Do you have to or want to do the task yourself? If yes, then buckle down and just get it done. Only work on one task at a time.

If no – move on to delegate or dump. 

Delegate it
Do you have to do this on your own? If not, get someone else to do it for you. If you don’t have anyone then train someone or outsource the task. Can technology replace this task? If yes, go back to the top!

Dump it
Is this task even necessary? If the task offers no value – get rid of it. If yes, go back to the top!

“Only work on one task at a time.”

Method two: The 5 Minute Rule

My personal favourite tasks management thought process. Sometimes referred to as the ‘One Touch One Decision’ Rule. 

If you can practise this principle until it becomes second nature this will be extremely valuable. The logic is simple. You need to make a decision as soon as you touch an email or a document or think about an idea. It does not mean you need to do it, you just need to decide what you will do and when. 

Less than 5 minutes – do it now
More than 5 minutes – schedule

Decide when you will do it and schedule. Estimate the amount of time you will need, go into your calendar or notebook and book a meeting with yourself at a specific date and time.

Once you have decided to do it now or schedule it now, remove the email/piece of paper and advise the person of your intention (quick response with your timeframe can stop future headaches). 

Make a decision and either delete or file. Nothing should be in your inbox or in-tray.

 

Give these methods a try, and thank me later for your extra free time.

Lisa Hooton
Lisa Hooton is the founding director of Nurture Accounting in North Lakes QLD. She has 25 years experience in Public Practice with a passion for Small Business Compliance. Lisa is dedicated to Nurture’s clients and team, always learning, fun and spirited individual. Lisa is a guru in time and workflow managment. She is also an advocate for the development and implementation of automation and cloud systems in small business. Lisa is a supporter of women in small business and an active volunteer in the local community. Lisa lives with her husband of 24 years and 3 amazing daughters in Murrumba Downs QLD. She spends her downtime writing blogs and courses on business administration and management, is an avid gamer and loves a good road trip. BBus (hons). BArts (hons). CPA. MIPA. Registered Tax Agent. Registered ASIC Agent. Xero Certified Advisor and Xero Gold Partner.

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