Task management can encompass many different things, from being organized to having the ability to navigate stressful situations. Many small business owners have learned task management skills through trial and error, applying them both to their professional lives and everyday situations, and the result is that these skills have become lifestyle goals. Learning how to manage your time, self-motivate, and set realistic goals can help you reduce stress and achieve a better work/life balance. You can also look for resources and lifestyle tips on your favorite blogs; The Inkblotters has you covered with everything from beauty product reviews to tips for writers on how to draft a query letter.

Here are four tips on how to incorporate task management skills into your everyday life.

1. Learn to delegate

Delegating can be difficult for many small business owners due to a desire to handle everything themselves to ensure it’s done right. When you’re taking care of everything, however, it can lead to burnout pretty quickly, as well stunt your leadership abilities. Doing everything yourself–both at work and at home–also leaves very little time for self-care or activities that make you happy, which in turn boosts your stress and anxiety levels. Try finding a few things that you can hand off to someone else, such as website updates for your business or even your LLC formation in California; our state has several rules about the process, but a professional service can take care of the legwork for you and ensure it gets done correctly.

2. Get organized

Like delegation, organization isn’t necessarily in everyone’s wheelhouse. Some people have to work at it, and when you run a business, it’s crucial to learn how to stay on top of things and keep important information easily accessible. Not only does it save you a lot of headaches, it also prevents wasted time. The good news is, there are plenty of apps and online resources that can help you keep things neat and prevent distractions, from digital calendars to productivity trackers. Getting organized at home and at the office is helpful too, so clear out the clutter–which can hinder efficiency–and look for tools that will help you keep things in order.

3. Communicate effectively

Organization and communication are two major aspects of running a business, but they apply to everyday life as well. Learning how to listen and give feedback is essential when it comes to managing others; miscommunication can cause a lot of headaches and create more work for you in the long run. Save time and energy by making sure your communication skills are on point. Utilize active listening techniques–which involve repeating back information to ensure you understand important details–and talk to people one-on-one rather than relying solely on emails, text, or group meetings so nothing gets lost.

4. Plan wisely…and have a backup plan

Along with good communication skills, the ability to plan ahead of time is essential when you’re running a business, and it’s something that can be utilized in everyday life as well. Make to-do lists and set clear but realistic goals for each day, and create a backup plan just in case you aren’t able to get as much done as you’d like. Not only will this save you time, it will help you boost your productivity and efficiency. It also helps to eliminate distractions so you can focus on the things you need to get done.

Managing tasks can become frustrating and stressful when you don’t have a plan, but by utilizing a few of these tips, you can keep your days organized and ensure that your workflow is a breeze. Not only that, you can incorporate these same tips into your lifestyle and reduce stress, as well.

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