Five time management strategies for busy solopreneurs
Time is precious, and as solopreneurs, we often feel like there’s just not enough of it. If your schedule has been feeling more chaotic than calm lately, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Here are five time management strategies you can start using today to reclaim your time and focus on what really matters.
Get clear on your core values and your future vision
Before you dive into to-do lists and schedules, pause for a moment. What’s your “why”? What’s the bigger picture for your life and business? Your core values act as your compass, while your vision provides the destination.
Start with this reflective question: “If I imagine my ideal life five years from now, what steps can I take today to move closer to it?”
Map out your goals
It’s really important to know that your goals—which will ultimately translate into your daily habits and the tasks that will wind up on your schedule—are actually going to take you where you want to go.
James Clear shared in Atomic Habits that if a plane taking off from Los Angeles were headed to New York but adjusted its heading by just 3.5 degrees south, it would end up in Washington, D.C. instead—a distance of nearly 225 miles from the intended destination. The change in direction is imperceptible at the start, but over the course of the journey, it leads to a vastly different outcome.
Starting with clarity about your "true north" and your goals ensures that minor adjustments don’t steer you off course.
Choose a task management system
Not all task management tools are created equal. What matters is finding one that aligns with how you work best.
My favourite is Asana—it’s free, intuitive, and makes juggling personal and professional tasks feel easeful.
Break down larger goals into smaller, manageable tasks, and allocate specific time blocks to work on each task. This helps maintain focus and ensures steady progress toward your objectives.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by where to start, I’ve created a masterclass that walks you through setting up your Asana workspace. (Psst...if you’d rather hand this off, I offer a done-for-you setup service, too!)
Prioritise your to-do list
Even a simple, for now vs not for now, can be helpful if prioritisation is new to you. Once you’re comfortable with that, you can level up to tools like the Eisenhower Matrix, which helps you categorise tasks by urgency and importance.
Rest
I can’t stress this enough - it’s crucial that you take some time for yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup. I’ve learned the hard way that rest is as important as any item on my to-do list. These days, I block time for rest in my calendar before scheduling work tasks. Try it—it’s a game-changer.
Reflective journaling prompts
Here are some journal prompts to help you explore your time management further:
Values: What are my core values, and how can I reflect them in my goals this year?
Vision: If I imagine my ideal life or business in five years, what steps can I take this year to move closer to that vision?
Priorities: Which of my current commitments truly align with my goals? Are there any I need to let go of?
Alignment: How do I want to feel on a daily basis? What habits or tasks would help me create those feelings?
Flexibility: How will I know if I need to adjust my goals? What signs or feedback will help me course-correct if necessary?
These strategies are just the beginning. Time management isn’t about perfection—it’s about creating a life that feels aligned, intentional, and joyful.
What’s one strategy you’re excited to experiment with this week? Let me know in the comments!
If you’d like some one-to-one tailored support, I offer a mentoring service for solopreneurs and small business owners. Have a look at my website here for more information.
