As business owners, we all lead pretty busy lives, and more and more demands seem to be placed on us as we push our respective businesses forward, look after customers, try and get new ones, and then deal with the paperwork.
I've been to networking meetings where I've seen time management coaches! Then there are a multitude of applications and software programs that supposedly make your life easy.
No doubt some are really worthwhile, but some I've looked at or trialled have been so complicated, it would just make my life harder not easier trying to work it out 
So what's the secret, or is there one?
Personally my number 1 favourite tool is an old fashioned Black N Red A4 notepad for a daily to-do list and scribble brain dump 
Cheap cheerful and 100% effective!
Then I like to keep my email inbox up to date and filed, so anything left in there is pending. (I even email myself if I remember I need to do something, or have an idea, nice quick and simple). For anything important reminder wise, I live in my outlook calender, which I can see on all my internet devices.
Then I think the best thing I learnt to do time management wise was learning the art of delegation! I keep a high level view of our accounts, but couldn't cope with day to day bookkeeping or accounts queries. If you're not in a position to hire someone, then outsource it. If you work out the time saved and being better spent elsewhere, offloading administration becomes an obvious route to being more productive.
Unless you enjoy wading through receipts and accounts stuff in the evening!
Anyone else got any hints or tips on time management, or favourite programs?
How does everyone deal with the day to day demands of running a business, and do you have any favourite applications, tips or tricks you can share?
Must admit, since getting the ipad I've done away with bits of paper being left all over the place...
