Online Business Archives

How to Value Your Time As A Small Business Owner

by Michele | Online Business, Planning-Organization-Productivity

Michele Duwe from Miss Task | The Power of Valuing Your Time: Strategies for Small Business Owners

Several years ago, sitting in the bleachers at a basketball game, surrounded by the usual chatter and cheers, I overheard something unexpected—a teenager’s profound words: “If you do not value your time, no one will.”

These simple yet powerful words immediately caught my attention. Who was offering such insightful advice, and to whom? It turned out to be one teenager chatting casually with a friend. I couldn’t believe it! You’d expect to hear these words from business leaders or successful business owners, not at all from a high school student at a basketball game. To have such a realization at a young age, I'm only guessing she has a good leader as a parent who understands the value of time.

I quickly jotted the phrase down on my phone as a content idea. As a small business owner, those words carried immense weight. In this digital age, where distractions are endless and time management skills are one of the most important things for a business owner to master, this was the reminder I didn’t know I needed.

Why the Value of Your Time Matters

I’ve spent a lot of time reflecting on that moment. Why did this one sentence resonate with me so much? I realized it’s because I’ve struggled to practice what I preach: valuing my time.

Growing up, my mom instilled in me core values like putting others first and being considerate of other people’s time. These lessons were a blessing in my personal life but a challenge in my business. Like many new business owners, I often found myself putting client needs, my team members, and day-to-day tasks ahead of my own goals.

But here’s the truth: If you don’t prioritize important tasks that move your business forward, your business growth will suffer in the long run. Without proper strategic planning or focus on revenue-generating activities, it’s easy to fall into the trap of poor time management.

The First Step: Conducting a Time Audit

One of the best ways to regain control of your schedule is by conducting a time audit. This process helps you understand exactly how you’re spending your working day. Here’s how to start:

Track Your Time: Write down every activity you do over a week. Include everything—from answering emails and handling customer service to personal errands and social media scrolling. I know, right? Not the most fun activity, but at the end of the day, it will provide valuable insight into where you are spending time.
Categorize Tasks: Separate your tasks into strategic activities, day-to-day operations, and where you waste time.
Evaluate Your ROI: Ask yourself, “Is this worth the dollar value of my time for each task?” Use your hourly rate as a benchmark to assess whether a task is worth doing yourself or should be delegated.

Strategic Delegation: The Easiest Way to Save Time

Once you’ve completed your time audit, the next step is to determine which tasks to delegate. Successful business owners know that their valuable assets include not only their expertise but also their ability to focus on long-term goals and business success.

Virtual assistants can handle routine tasks like managing your to-do list or scheduling social media posts.
Automating repetitive tasks with tools like project management software is another good time management technique that frees up additional time.
When I did this activity, I took the number of hours I was spending on tasks and gave them all a dollar value. The bottom line is that it was eye-opening to see how much money I was potentially leaving on the table.

These strategies allow you to focus on the most important things: growing your client base, creating a healthy work-life balance, and building a successful business.

How to Identify Tasks for Delegation

One of the best tools I’ve used for this is the Eisenhower Matrix, a simple framework that categorizes tasks based on urgency and importance. Here’s how it works:

Urgent and Important: Do these yourself immediately.
Important but Not Urgent: Schedule these for later.
Urgent but Not Important: Delegate these tasks to someone else.
Not Urgent and Not Important: Eliminate these tasks altogether.

When I started using this tool, I realized I was spending a lot of time on tasks that were necessary but not impactful, like creating graphics, uploading my podcast, and publishing blog posts. At first, I thought, “I can’t afford to hire help.” But the truth was, if I stayed buried in these tasks, I wouldn’t have the time to focus on the work that truly made a difference for my clients.

That’s when I decided to hire a Content VA to handle those routine tasks. This decision freed me to focus on what I do best: helping solopreneurs take back their valuable time by creating strategies that prioritize revenue-generating activities.

If you’re not ready to hire help yet, that’s okay. Start by identifying the tasks you could delegate in the future. Then, when you’re ready, you’ll have a clear plan for what to offload.

Strategic Delegation: A Game-Changer for Small Business Owners

Delegating isn’t just about lightening your workload—it’s about using your time more strategically. Tasks like managing your to-do list, scheduling social media posts, or creating graphics can often be handled by virtual assistants or automated with tools like project management software.

For instance, content creation is a time-consuming but essential part of running a successful business. That’s why I offer content repurposing services to help small business owners maximize the value of their existing content. Whether it’s transforming your podcast into a blog post, turning blog content into social media posts, or creating an email series from your top-performing episodes, I specialize in helping you get the most out of the content you’ve already created.

These strategies allow you to focus on the most important things: growing your client base, achieving your long-term goals, and building a healthy work-life balance.

It’s a Good Idea to Plan Your Week

After completing a time audit, it’s time to put those insights to work. One of the best ways to gain clarity on how to manage your time effectively is by creating a time bank.

For me, using a simple spreadsheet to map out my 24-hour day was a huge eye-opener. I blocked every hour of the day and color-coded the time based on how it was spent—daily tasks, family time, personal activities, and even downtime. Seeing my time blocks visually made it clear where I was overspending time and where I had room to improve.

This method is a great way to incorporate time management tools into your routine without overcomplicating things. It helps you visualize your schedule and make adjustments to reclaim your day.

Key Questions to Ask Yourself

Where Are You Giving Too Much Time? Are there activities that eat up more time than they should? For example, are you spending too much time on email or perfecting small details that don’t significantly impact your business? Recognizing these areas can help you free up time for revenue-generating activities and tasks that maximize productivity.
Are You Avoiding Tasks You Don’t Like? Be honest: Do you find yourself gravitating toward tasks you enjoy while procrastinating on the ones you dislike? While it’s natural to want to spend time on things you love, effective time management means balancing enjoyable tasks with the essentials, even if they aren’t your favorite.
How Can You Cut Down and Refocus?
Once you’ve identified where your time is going, use this insight to make changes. Look for opportunities to streamline or delegate tasks that aren’t worth your time. By doing this, you can create a realistic weekly plan that aligns with your priorities and allows you to focus on important tasks.

The Power of Planning Your Week

When you use your time bank as a foundation for planning, you’ll find it easier to set realistic goals and stick to them. Combine this approach with productivity tips like batching similar tasks, using a project management tool, or setting time limits for specific activities.

As a former Online Business Manager, I've worked with several small businesses to understand the power of planning your week. Like you, they started a business for freedom of time, and planning a week made them feel as if that freedom was taken away.

These strategies not only boost effective time management but also reduce the mental load of constantly deciding what to do next.

Planning your week doesn’t just help you get more done—it gives you the freedom to enjoy your downtime without guilt because you’ve taken control of your schedule.

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A Personal Takeaway

Hearing those words from a teenager reminded me to take small steps toward valuing my time. Since then, I’ve prioritized my most productive time for strategic planning and creative work while delegating tasks that don’t require my direct input.

The result? Not only am I spending more quality time with clients and team members, but I’ve also lowered my stress levels and found more free time to enjoy the things that matter most in my personal life.

Time to Wrap This Up

If you’ve ever felt like there aren’t enough hours in the day, it’s time to take control. Conduct a time audit, delegate effectively, and embrace good time management strategies. As the teenager’s wise words taught me: If you don’t value your time, no one else will. Thank you so much for your value time. I appreciate you and hope you make it a wonderful week.

Header Photo by Rachael Crowe on Unsplash

How to Succeed With Your Small Business Resolutions

by Michele | Online Business

Michele Duwe from Miss Task | Want to Succeed With Your Resolutions? Start Doing This.

How to Succeed With Your Business Resolutions

Succeed with your business resolutions this year by setting standards that stick. You're not alone if you’re tired of starting strong in January only to feel overwhelmed and off-track by February. Research shows that most people abandon their resolutions within just seven days. Why? Decision fatigue, unclear goals, and a lack of practical systems often sabotage the best intentions. But what if this next year could be different? By redefining your approach and focusing on small, consistent changes, you can turn your New Year's resolutions into lasting habits that drive real results in your business growth.

Why Do Resolutions Fail?

Looking back to your previous New Year's business resolutions, how many of them did you set realistic goals. Often, small business owners will use the start of a new year to set business goals that may not have a simple plan that sets them up in the long run for success.

Why can it be so easy to quit? We get down on ourselves and throw up our hands in defeat because sometimes going after our dreams is hard work. I'm sure I'm not alone when I say running small businesses takes up so much energy. It is easy to put ourselves on an island and forget that we need support.

Giving up on business goals and New Year's resolutions is a struggle that many people have, don't feel like you're the only one. In fact, studies show that most people give up on their resolutions after just seven days. Seven days! Why is that?

The thought of how will I reach this goal gets in the way, and after a few short days, we stop trying.

When the hard work starts and the excitement has passed, our minds begin the negative chatter. If you’ve not been successful with your small business resolutions in the past, well, you’re not alone.

New goals open up new opportunities for us to change. If we do not have a strong enough reason for the change, it will be difficult to want to keep after it when overwhelmed and decision fatigue sets in.

The Solution – Set a New Standard for Your Life

Want to succeed with your business resolutions? Start by making it a new standard for your life. But what is a new standard? Well, standard means It’s just normal for you.

What will your new standard be? Do you want to become a person who gets up early and incorporates in a mindful morning practice?

Maybe you want financial stability in your business endeavors. Do you want a peek inside my upcoming year goal setting? I'll put a link to my free resource, which is a Quarterly Planner.

Each new quarter is a fresh start to set goals. This was cemented in my brain after reading The 12 Week Year: Get More Done in 12 Weeks than Others Do in 12 Months by Brian Moran. He says, “We mistakenly believe that there is a lot of time left in the year, and we act accordingly. We lack a sense of urgency, not realizing that every week is important, every day is important, every moment is important. Ultimately, effective execution happens daily and weekly!”

What can you do to make that standard happen? What guidelines can you make to set yourself up for success? What guidelines will you follow to be successful?

Making lasting change takes commitment, accountability, and maybe post-it notes around the house to remind you of your commitment and new standards. AND more importantly, on those post-it notes around your home, why was this resolution important to you when you set it at the end of the year?

The Role of Your Future Self

If you’ve been around me for any length of time, you’ll hear me talk about my future self and how I want to feel. This has become my gage. It wasn’t always in the past, but it gave me a different perspective when I began to look at decision-making through the lens of my future self.

This is my personal experience; I’m not a fake it until you make it kind of person. I know integrity is the best way to achieve my goals and commitments. This is where the future self comes into play; when making decisions in my business and life, as much as possible, I look at them as if my future self would thank me for this decision or will she be disappointed. Will she think it necessary to move towards my end goal and my commitment to myself, or did the decision or action set me back?

Small Shifts Lead to Big Results

Have you read the book Atomic Habits? The book is full of amazing points from James Clear. To make the change, you need to do it with a small 1% change every day.

In our instant gratification minds, we want everything in less time. This causes us to try to change who we are overnight. All from the feeling of excitement of new beginnings, who we will become once we succeed with our resolution.

We need to look at the new standard we set for ourselves and create sustainable practices. If you want to get more sleep. Go to bed 5 minutes earlier.

If the goal is a business success as rising entrepreneurs, get clear on how you help your potential clients.

Circling back to Atomic Habits, if you’ve not read the book, ask Perplexity to give you a summary and the high points, here is the summary that I received.

Ask yourself, “What is one thing specifically I can do today that will move me in the right direction?” This one thing needs to feel like it can be done. Do that until it’s routine, you know your new normal, and change something else.

Big commitments and changes are made one little step at a time. Clear also says to Focus on

Systems Over Goals; you know I love this advice. Set up business operations with systems to support your new direction if you want achievable goals.

Here is a quick video to go along with this post. https://youtu.be/r68s8swwM2M

Do we need a new year to set new standards for ourselves? I don’t think so. Every day is the perfect time to set a new standard for yourself. Every day is a good day to believe that you can. If we do not have a belief in ourselves, who does?

We have to want to make the shift more than anything. We have to want it for ourselves, or it will not stick. We must know why we want to change and why it is important to us. Why we are creating a different today. If we are doing it for someone else, it won’t work. We have to want it more. We have to see ourselves changing. Holding ourselves accountable for the positive impact we are willing to create. Do it for you.

Little Side Note: Want to succeed with your resolutions? Create a win jar. Every single time you stick to your commitment, give yourself a win. Write down your win on scrap paper, colored paper, or whatever paper makes you smile – and collect them. When you fall off track, read your wins, read your why. Know you can do it for you.

How to Succeed With Clear Goals

Here are the key points to succeed in setting clear, achievable goals.

Give yourself grace on the hard days.
One bad day does not equal failure; it provides valuable insights into areas to develop new skills and work through the setbacks.
A new standard will become your new normal.
Look through the lens of your future self when making decisions.
One small change daily will gain you more confidence in your new standard way of life.
What is one thing, not twenty, that will help keep you moving through change?
Create a win jar and celebrate every single success when you feel like giving up.
Every day is a good day to start a new standard for yourself.

Time To Wrap This Up: Succeed With Your Business Resolutions

It does not matter if you refer to them as New Year resolutions or smart goals; both are most successful when you take action on a regular basis. When you put together a list of top reasons you think making this personal life change is a good idea. When you take a closer look at why you have not been able to succeed with your resolutions in previous years from a place of curiosity instead of judgment, that is a great way to help history not repeat itself. I hope that you find this valuable. Thank you for spending time with me. I appreciate you, and I hope you make it a wonderful week.

← Overplanning Crushing Your Dreams? How to Value Your Time As A Small Business Owner →

Overplanning Crushing Your Dreams?

by Michele | Online Business, Planning-Organization-Productivity

You’ve got big dreams, a vision board full of inspiring ideas, and the determination to make it happen. But here’s the hard truth: if you spend too much time crafting the “perfect plan” and not taking action, overplanning might be holding you back and crushing your dreams. Successful people know this: the first step toward achieving your goals isn’t about creating a flawless strategy—it’s about taking action, even if it’s imperfect.

So, let me ask: Are you stuck perfecting the plan, or are you moving toward your dream life? Let’s talk about how overplanning could be crushing your progress and how to get out of your way finally.

Hello, friend. Let’s talk about something I see too often among small business owners and entrepreneurs: overplanning. It’s a habit that can feel like a great place to start, but without the action, it turns into a dream crusher, keeping you stuck instead of moving forward.

Overplanning Crushing Your Dreams: A Cautionary Tale

When the new year rolls around, we often set ambitious yearly goals. We’re full of energy, ready to tackle our big dreams, and we create a solid plan to achieve them. But here’s the cautionary tale: if you spend too much time perfecting your action plan, you might never get to the first step.

Successful people understand that the best thing you can do is take consistent, imperfect action.

Overplanning waters down your progress. Instead of focusing on one area of your life, you end up spreading yourself too thin. And the good news? There’s a powerful way to break this cycle and achieve your dreams on your own terms.

The Fear of Failure and the Cycle of Overplanning

Why do we over-plan? Often, it originates from a fear of failure. Our brain tricks us to keep us safe from the unknown; it is the best way to keep us in our comfort zone. We think we'll avoid mistakes if we create a foolproof plan. But in real life, overplanning keeps us stuck in the same place. Becoming our dream crushers.

Instead of taking the next step, we spend a lot of time running through “what if” scenarios in our heads. Attempting to work out every little bit.

Let me tell you: the first step to breaking free is recognizing that overplanning won’t get you to your long term goals. The key is to take action. Even small, daily actions can help you build momentum and accomplish amazing things over time.

The Impact of Overplanning on Your Dream Life

Overplanning doesn’t just slow you down; it can crush your dreams entirely. Imagine you’re trying to build a small business or accomplish a long time goal. You have a vision board filled with inspiring ideas and a sense of purpose guiding you. But instead of taking important steps, you’re stuck refining your plan.

The result? You’re no closer to your goals than when you started. You may feel further away.

I’ve lived through it, and I’ve learned that the best thing you can do is take the next step, even if it’s not perfect. I still have the mantra on my chalkboard in my office: business goals are achieved with messy, imperfect action.

When you're learning to transition from employee to business owner on a mission to find your true purpose, you have a big dream. It can feel daunting when it feels like the finish line keeps moving.

I've described this as building too many bridges. Another way that I see overplanning too many important goals is trying to run more than one race at a time. Think about this again: you would not attempt to run two or three marathons simultaneously. Think of your goals as marathons. You have a training plan before you start and do the daily hard work to run the race and reach your finish line.

How to Stop Overplanning and Take Action

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to let overplanning crush your dreams. The first place to start is by narrowing your focus. Pick one big goal and break it down into actionable steps. Think about what you can realistically accomplish in the next week. Then, block out time on your calendar to work on those tasks.

If you’re juggling multiple responsibilities in your current situation, consider aligning your projects with your mental bandwidth. For example, if you’re tackling a big project in your personal life, like remodeling your house, choose a smaller, more manageable project for your business. This balance is key to staying on track. Because, friend, decision fatigue is a real thing. Be sure to look at your whole life when deciding to tackle goals.

Building Accountability and Staying Consistent

One powerful way to stay consistent is to bring in an accountability partner. Whether it’s a great friend or a coach, having someone to check in with can help you stay focused. Remember, successful people don’t go it alone. They create systems and find support to help them stay on course.

Another helpful tool is to create a project parking lot. This is a place to store your new goals and big ideas so they don’t distract you from your current priorities. You’ll get to them in time, but for now, keep your focus on one goal at a time.

Overplanning vs. Taking the Next Step

Overplanning often comes from wanting to reach your full potential. But here’s the truth: you can’t get to mile two without completing mile one. Taking the next step—no matter how small—is the most important thing you can do to move forward.

Think of it this way: every small victory you achieve fuels your journey. Celebrating these wins builds momentum, giving you the energy and motivation to keep going.

Practical Tips for Achieving Your Goals

If you’re ready to stop overplanning and start achieving, here’s what I recommend:

1. Do a Mind Sweep: Write down everything you need to accomplish your goal. Get it all out of your head and onto paper.

2. Prioritize Your Tasks: Decide what’s most important and focus on that first.

3. Create an Action Plan: Block time on your calendar for each task. Remember, your timeline may take longer than expected, so give yourself grace.

4. Stay Accountable: Share your goals with a trusted accountability partner.

5. Focus on Daily Action: Consistent, small steps lead to big results.

Book A 1-Hour Virtual Session

Discover the Secret to Effortless Content Creation –

From Overwhelmed to Thriving: Your Content Creation Simplified Journey Starts Here!

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Your Dream Life Is Within Reach

Friend, you have everything you need to achieve every new dream your heart desires. Don’t let overplanning hold you back in your own life. Take the first step, focus on what matters, and watch your big goals become real-life accomplishments. Remember, your dream life is built one step at a time—on your own terms and in your own way.

← Guide to New Year Business Planning for Entrepreneurs How to Succeed With Your Small Business Resolutions →