By Rae Steinbach

Time management is key to the success of any entrepreneur. However, it’s even more important for those working solo. As a solopreneur, you don’t have the option of delegating tasks to employees. You need to maximize productivity without the help of a staff. While things like working out of an all-in-one coworking space can help you be more efficient, solopreneurs can always find ways to be more productive.

These strategies will make achieving this goal much easier. To use your time as wisely as possible, keep the following tips in mind.

Avoid multitasking

Neuroscience experts frequently remind us that effective multitasking isn’t really possible for the average person. Our new tools haven’t changed the way our minds work.

It can be tempting to try and complete several tasks at once as a solopreneur. That said, you’re better off focusing closely on one task at a time.

Actually take breaks

You probably know that breaks are important. Maybe you even schedule them. That doesn’t mean you actually take them as often as you should. Surveys indicate more than half of American workers routinely skip lunch breaks. The urge to avoid breaks can be even greater for someone growing a business on their own.

Don’t fall into the trap of working all day without taking breaks. If you don’t take breaks, you won’t have enough energy to be productive. In fact, studies indicate 90% workers who do take lunch breaks are more productive as a result. Actually making a point of stepping away from work will help you complete tasks more efficiently when your break is over.

Prioritize your to-do list

Making a to-do list every day (and week, and month) is key to getting work done as a solopreneur. However, creating the list alone is just one step. Once you’ve decided which tasks need to be completed, you must also go through your list to determine which are high priority. Completing a dozen tasks before noon isn’t a smart use of your time if those tasks are relatively low-value.

Don’t indulge unnecessary interactions

If you’re a solopreneur, odds are good you’ll get frequent emails and calls from B2B marketers pitching their services. Engaging with them is usually a waste of your time. You’re better off researching which services and tools you need on your own. If a marketer reaches out to you, end the conversation early.

Focus on wellness

It’s important to take care of yourself when growing a business. Although you may feel guilty over not using every waking hour to work, you shouldn’t.

For example, every solopreneur should make a point of staying fit and exercising daily. Working out doesn’t take away from growing your business. Instead, it’s been shown to promote healthy sleep habits. The more sleep you get, the more productive you’ll be during the day.

It’s also necessary to reduce stress in your life. Solopreneurs who let tension get the better of them are simply less effective at work. Although exercise can definitely help reduce stress levels, you might also benefit from taking up a hobby or practicing regular meditation.

The main point to take away from all of this is simple: using your time wisely doesn’t mean using every single moment in your day to focus on work. You instead need to learn how to be more productive when completing work-related tasks. These tips will help you do so.

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Rae Steinbach is a graduate of Tufts University with a combined International Relations and Chinese degree. After spending time living and working abroad in China, she returned to NYC to pursue her career and continue curating quality content. Rae is passionate about travel, food, and writing, of course. Twitter: @araesininthesun