Let's face it. Entrepreneurs of all kinds are master jugglers. At any given moment we have to shift gears from a client session we just completed to the office printer that hasn't been working to the Instagram post that didn't get posted this morning. Oh and did I buy something for dinner for tonight? And don't forget to pick up a gift for your sister's birthday tomorrow. But I need to do laundry before then because I have nothing to wear! We do it all.

It's really easy for deadlines to slip by and our brains to get overwhelmed with so many different things swirling around in there. Here are a few tips to handle it all more gracefully and save yourself some headaches.

BECOME BFFS WITH YOUR CALENDAR.

Some people prefer to have paper calendars or planners, while others prefer digital calendars. Whatever your preference, get intimately familiar with your calendar and always have it handy. I personally do a combination of paper planner and digital calendar. The digital calendar syncs between my computers, cell phone, and iPad, making it easy to add appointments while I'm on the go. The paper calendar satisfies the artist in me - I absolutely love the magic of writing something on paper. Also, it somehow helps me keep things straight in my head so I have a clearer idea of what my days look like when it's laid out on paper. A planner will also offer up space for notes, whether on blank pages or the margins. This is perfect for those little mental notes you need to give yourself! (Um, did I remember my sister's birthday gift?!).

KNOW YOUR PRIORITIES.

Family is first, so anything that involves the welfare of your family and loved ones absolutely must take top spot in your to-do list. When it comes to business obligations, though, you need to be clear on how to prioritize those tasks!

A simple rule of thumb is to tackle items in this order:

• Money-making tasks.
• Client relations and communication.
• Business-growing tasks.

Let’s break these down so it’s clear what goes into each category.

Money-making tasks:

This includes tasks that will directly result in money coming into your account.

Do you have files to deliver to a client before they pay final invoice?
Did you complete a project and need to invoice your client?
Do you have a new client that needs to receive their contract?
Are there pending invoices that need payment reminders?

All of these tasks directly result in money coming into your business. These should get taken care of first.

Client relations and communication:

These tasks are about keeping your clients happy, making sure they are getting tended to, and following up on leads.

Do you have a potential client with questions about your process?
Is one of your current clients asking for input to something work-related?
Do you need to follow up with an existing client about their next project phase?

All of these are about keeping clients happy and in the loop. You need to nurture your current client base, and maintain clear lines of communication.

Business-growing tasks:

This includes all other tasks that will feed your business but are not immediate. Things such as marketing efforts, collaborations, social media, research, bookkeeping, and office admin tasks all fall under this category. While all of these are important, they should take a back seat to the above categories.

PRIORITIZE EVEN MORE.

Maybe you're thinking, "But what about having a bunch of client deadlines to deliver files to and freaking out because they're ALL due, like, NOW!".

First, take a look at dates that files are due. Complete them in order of due date so that the ones promised sooner get done first. No time to worry about it, just get to work! Be sure to turn off all distractions as much as possible - turn off the tv, close the door, ask the husband to handle the kids for an hour so you can bust out some work… create as much of a focused space for yourself as you can.

More importantly, though, if you find yourself with loads of files promised at about the same time, that's a sign that you need to examine your client process. Are you giving yourself the appropriate amount of time for completing your end of the project? The benefit to giving yourself more time to complete a project is that you have time to deliver a higher quality product. If a client requests something done very quickly, they should either be paying a premium for that rush request or they need to understand that quality may be compromised. If deadline overload sounds like the story of your life, it's time to look at your contract and consider extending your timelines. You are human, after all.

STICK TO YOUR GUNS.

One of the hardest things solo entrepreneurs face is standing your ground when people request more of you. Having policies in place and clearly visible for clients is a great way to make sure that people ask less of you to begin with, but it also gives you something to direct them to when they ask you for more. Or sooner. Or less expensive.

These policies are in place so that you can deliver the product that they expect, so any shift from those policies compromises that. And nobody wants to get lower quality product! Remember that if you waiver from your policies and priorities, your clients will pay the price in a lower-quality final product.

Another great way to stick to your guns is to keep in mind your reason for being in business in the first place. Are you creating a business so that you can pay for your kids' college education? Are you the sole provider for your family? Are you looking to finally stop renting and buy a home of your own? Do you have kids who you want to set an example for? Did you launch this business to create a certain lifestyle for you and your family? Revisit your “Why” regularly so that you always have the motivation to keep pushing for your dream and valuing yourself properly.

Conclusion

Prioritizing your tasks really comes down to what your values are. Values in life, the value you place on your time and expertise, the perceived value that you project out into the world… You have control over all of these, and don’t you forget that!

Do you have more tips for what helps you prioritize? Please share in the comments below!

xo
Natalia