Over the past decade of building businesses while raising a family, I’ve learned that time management isn’t just about squeezing more into your day.
As entrepreneurs, we wear many hats. Some days it feels like we’re switching between CEO, customer service rep, creative director, and grocery shopper (and we started our day just 2 hours ago).
So how do we manage time wisely without burning out?
We’ve all heard the classics: use a calendar, set priorities, delegate more. And yes, those work. But today, I want to share some time management tips that have worked for me, and some of these you might not expect.
1. Start Your Day With “Energy Mapping,” Not a To-Do List
Most entrepreneurs begin the day with a long to-do list. I used to do the same until I realized not all hours are created equal.
Instead of just listing tasks, I “energy map” my day. I ask myself:
- When do I feel most creative?
- When do I tend to feel sluggish?
- When is my house (relatively) quiet?
Then, I match tasks to energy. Creative work like writing or strategic planning? I do it in the early morning when my mind is fresh. Admin work? That gets the post-lunch slot. The result? Fewer hours wasted forcing myself to focus at the wrong time.
I’m sure many entrepreneurs have talked about this, but the one who gave me this idea is Sunny Lenarduzzi. And the one who gave her, the idea was the author of In the Flo: Unlock Your Hormonal Advantage and Revolutionize Your Life, Alisa Vitti.
If you’re a woman, I personally recommend this book for you. I read it myself and it has helped me to recognize that I need to take back control instead of going with constructs that were initiated well before women entered the workforce.
2. Time-Block Personal Time First
This might sound counterintuitive because our instinct is to prioritize business. But here’s the truth: when I don’t carve out space for myself, everything else suffers. So now, I block personal time before anything else.
Whether it’s my morning walk, lunch with my husband, or a quiet hour with my kids after school, those go in my calendar first. It protects my energy and reminds me why I started this journey in the first place.
Bonus? It also forces me to become more efficient during my actual work hours.
3. Use the “Parking Lot” Method for Mental Clutter
You know that feeling when you’re in the middle of deep work and suddenly remember you need to order dog food or reply to an email from three days ago?
I used to chase those thoughts down rabbit holes. Now, I “park” them.
I keep a running list beside me, either digital or paper, it doesn’t matter. The moment a stray thought pops up, I jot it down in my “parking lot” and return to the task at hand. I review the list later in the day, but I don’t let it derail me in the moment.
There’s a book I read a while back called Choke by Sian Beilock, and one of my biggest takeaways from that book was that our working memory is finite and when we have thoughts unrelated to what we’re working on, they take up valuable space even if we try to ignore them.
Which is why I “park” them. Doing so acknowledges the fact that whatever I’ve just remembered is important, but I don’t have to address it right now.
4. Make Decisions Once
This one has been a game changer. As entrepreneurs, we make hundreds of decisions a day. But many of them are recurring, like what to wear, what to eat, when to check email.
The more decisions we make, the more we wear ourselves out (hello, decision fatigue). So now, I pre-decide the small stuff:
- I have a weekly meal plan I rotate.
- I wear a simplified wardrobe during workdays (think: capsule closet).
- I check email only at designated times.
By making certain decisions once, I free up mental energy for what really matters (and remember that working memory that I just mentioned? That applies here too).
5. Schedule “Thinking Time” (Yes, Literally)
Here’s one you may have never heard before: I schedule time just to think.
No meetings, no emails, no multitasking. Just me, a notebook, and some quiet. Sometimes it’s 15 minutes. Sometimes it’s a full hour. This is when I reflect, problem-solve, and come up with some of my best ideas.
We often underestimate the power of stillness in a world obsessed with doing. But I’ve found that intentional thinking time creates more clarity and focus than a week of reactive work.
Even better, is if you also allow your mind space to wander before or after you engage in more focused thinking. Let it think about anything it wants. Our minds need a break from regimen and structure too.
6. Create a “Stop Doing” List
Every year, I create a fresh “to-stop-doing” list. These are the habits, tasks, or mindsets that no longer serve me or the business.
One year, it was checking my phone first thing in the morning. Another year, it was saying “yes” to every meeting invitation. Removing the unnecessary gives me time and space for what actually moves the needle.
Final Thoughts: Time Management Is Really Energy Management
At the end of the day, time management isn’t just about hours, it’s about energy, focus, and intention. And as entrepreneurs, we have to protect those like our most precious assets because they are.
So as you build your business and navigate your day-to-day, I encourage you to experiment with these tips. Try what feels aligned, toss what doesn’t, and always come back to this question:
What truly deserves my time today?
