To help you maximize your productivity as an entrepreneur, we’ve gathered 13 time management hacks from successful entrepreneurs and CEOs. From embracing the Eisenhower Matrix to practicing the 2-minute rule, these leaders share their top strategies for making every second count.
Dive in to discover the best ways to manage your time and boost your productivity.
Embrace the Eisenhower Matrix
As an entrepreneur, the Eisenhower Matrix has been a highly-effective time-management hack for maximizing productivity. This simple, yet powerful, approach helps prioritize tasks effectively and stay focused on what truly matters.
By using this method, it’s possible to strategically prioritize tasks and avoid procrastination. It enables efficient management of client projects while ensuring focus on long-term goals.
Benjamin Rougier, Entrepreneur, Freelanceweb16
Implement a Time Blocking Strategy
As a solopreneur, managing your time can make or break your productivity. The best time-management hack is called “time blocking.” This means dedicating specific time in your calendar for specific tasks and building your schedule around those instead of trying to fit some meaningful work into your already busy day.
The trick, and the most difficult part, is making each time block non-negotiable and setting boundaries around it. Make it clear to everyone when you’re unavailable. Use website-blocking software to limit self-distraction. Literally ignore everything else until the job is done.
Juliet Dreamhunter, Founder, Juliety
Maximize Productivity with Fewer Workdays
It sounds counterintuitive, but working fewer days has made me more productive. It encourages me to better manage my time. It also makes me more discerning when it comes to the clients and projects I accept. This allows me to best utilize my time and skills while maximizing my revenue.
Alli Hill, Founder and Director, Fleurish Freelance
Dedicate an Hour for a Single Task
It’s simple—you pick one task and dedicate a full hour of focused, uninterrupted time to work on it. No distractions, no multitasking. Just pure, laser-focused productivity.
This technique helps prioritize the most important tasks and gives a sense of accomplishment once they’re completed. It also forces the elimination of any unnecessary distractions and really hones in on the task at hand.
Of course, this technique works best when combined with other time-management strategies like setting clear goals, breaking tasks into smaller chunks, and using tools like the Pomodoro Technique. Incorporating regular power hours into a schedule has been a game-changer for boosting productivity and getting things done.
Johannes Larsson, Founder and CEO, JohannesLarsson.com
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Apply the Pomodoro Technique
One of my go-to time-management hacks is the “Pomodoro Technique.” It’s a simple yet effective method where you work for 25 minutes, then take a 5-minute break. This cycle repeats four times, after which you take a longer break. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish when you’re fully focused for those 25 minutes.
Plus, the regular breaks prevent burnout and keep your mind fresh. It’s like a mini-marathon for productivity, and it’s helped me immensely in managing my time and tasks as an entrepreneur.
Lou Reverchuk, Co-Founder and CEO, EchoGlobal
Utilize the Pareto Principle
The Pareto Principle, or the 20/80 rule, is a valuable time-management hack I’ve adopted in my entrepreneurial journey. It proposes that a major portion of our outcomes, approximately 80%, is generated by a small fraction of our efforts, around 20%.
Recognizing these high-impact tasks and centering my focus around them allows me to harness my productivity effectively. This strategy optimizes my time utilization, ensuring key business areas receive necessary attention, thus paving the path for better productivity. The implementation of the Pareto Principle is indeed a game-changer in enhancing entrepreneurial efficiency.
Rafael Sarim Özdemir, Founder and CEO, Zendog Labs
Boost Productivity with Ninja Napping
As an entrepreneur, I wield the “Ninja Napping” hack—yep, napping like a stealthy ninja! Data-backed brilliance shows that power naps boost productivity by a mind-blowing 34%. So, I catnap my way to success!
Picture this, in the middle of a chaotic workday, I sneak off to my cozy corner for a 20-minute snooze. Energized and refreshed, I return like a superhero, ready to conquer tasks with vigor. Remember, the key is moderation—don’t snooze your way into oblivion! A strategic catnap unleashes the entrepreneurial force within. So, embrace the “Ninja Napping” hack and watch your productivity soar to new heights!
Himanshu Sharma, CEO and Founder, Academy of Digital Marketing
Set False Deadlines for Tasks
False deadlines do wonders for me. It’s like setting your alarm clock an hour early to guarantee punctuality.
During the development of Steambase, a vast data platform for all things Steam, I consistently set my deadlines one to two weeks ahead. Interestingly, in 99% of situations, I encountered unexpected hurdles and roadblocks. The cushion created by these false deadlines proved invaluable.
It gave me time to navigate these challenges without compromising the final delivery date. So, instead of giving false promises to our users, we set false deadlines for our development team.
Lucas Wyland, Founder, Steambase
Start Your Day by “Eating a Frog”
The author of Eat That Frog, Mark Twain, said that you should “eat a frog” (figuratively) first thing in the morning so you have satisfaction throughout your day, knowing the worst is already over.
“Eating a frog” is a metaphor for the most challenging task on your to-do list. So, if you’re an entrepreneur, your frog could be talking to customers or doing competitor research.
A toy frog was bought and placed on the desk. So, when sitting behind the computer, the first two to three hours of the day are dedicated to “eating a frog,” which has done wonders for productivity. Procrastination is almost never an issue anymore.
Scott Lieberman, Owner, Touchdown Money
Follow the “Rule of 3” for Prioritizing
I follow the “Rule of 3” in prioritizing tasks. So, every night, I think about the top three priorities that I will focus on the next day. This helps me structure my day and create more efficient time blocks for the most important tasks that I need to tackle.
It also allows me to gauge how much time I can allocate to accommodate other urgent matters. As an entrepreneur, I’m responsible for many nuts and bolts in the company. The “Rule of 3” has become a magic number for me to stay productive and avoid getting overwhelmed.
Mark Damsgaard, Founder and Head of Client Advisory, Global Residence Index
Adopt Burst Productivity Sprints
One strategy I’ve come to rely on as an entrepreneur is what I call “Burst Productivity Sprints.” Rather than spreading my focus thin across an entire day, I allocate focused, intensive bursts of work.
I distinctly remember a time when our web scraping system encountered an unforeseen glitch. This issue required my direct intervention and a lot of hands-on work. I set aside a block of two hours, turned off all distractions, and dived deep into the problem.
This strategy enabled me to dissect the issue and generate a solution much faster than if I’d tackled it amidst a sea of interruptions. It’s a simple, yet effective, time management hack that continues to boost my productivity.
Daniel Pfeffer, CEO, Scrape Network
Identify and Utilize Peak Performance Time
One of my best strategies for time management is recognizing and utilizing my peak performance time. This involves identifying when I’m naturally most productive and then scheduling my day to match.
For me, I’ve discovered that I’m most productive early in the day, from about 5 a.m. to 11 a.m. That’s when my focus is sharp, and I can dive deep into more complex tasks. After that, my energy levels may not be quite as high, but I still have plenty of drive for my work.
In the afternoon, I tend to book calls. I find these to be easier and more relaxed, so they’re a great fit for when I’m past my peak productivity hours but still engaged and active.
By following this approach, I align my work with my natural rhythms rather than pushing against them. This strategy has proven to be quite effective in boosting my productivity and overall work performance.
Amar Ghose, CEO, ZenMaid
Practice the 2-Minute Rule
Time management is paramount for success, especially for a tech company CEO. One powerful hack is the “2-Minute Rule.” The principle is simple; if a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately. This could be replying to a quick email or making a small decision.
Tackling these micro-tasks instantly prevents them from piling up. This small yet compelling change cultivates a sense of accomplishment and streamlines workflow, creating a productivity snowball effect. Embracing the 2-Minute Rule empowers you and your team to stay focused on high-priority projects, optimize daily operations, and foster a culture of efficiency. Seize those brief moments to achieve big outcomes, and watch your tech empire flourish!
Vikas Kaushik, CEO, TechAhead
