As women entrepreneurs, we’re constantly juggling a million tasks—managing clients, balancing family responsibilities, and finding time for personal growth. We all want to be more efficient with our time, but it’s easier said than done. If you’re like me, you might have struggled with staying on top of things in your business.
My Journey to Better Time Management
When I first relaunched my business, I found it challenging to keep track of everything. Between working as an IT consultant full-time and raising two small children, my schedule was chaotic, and I didn’t have much time to spare. I realized that I needed to streamline my workflow if I wanted to maintain some sanity and grow my business.
That’s when I decided to explore time management tech tools to help me stay organized. By using the right software, I’ve been able to save hours each week and finally have a clear, repeatable system that allows me to get the right work done at the right time.
Here’s a look at some of my favorite tools and how they can help you.
1. Project Management: Trello
Trello is a visual project management tool that uses boards and cards to help you organize your tasks.
- Features: Drag-and-drop interface, checklists, due dates, and integrations.
- Best For: Breaking down big projects into smaller, manageable tasks.
Quick Tip: Create a “Done” list to move completed tasks into—it’s satisfying to see your progress!
2. Time Tracking: Toggl
Toggl is a time-tracking tool that helps you understand where your hours are going.
- Features: One-click time tracking, detailed reports, and project-based tracking.
- Best For: Service-based businesses or freelancers who need to bill clients by the hour.
Quick Tip: Analyze your reports to identify time-wasting activities you can minimize or delegate.
3. Scheduling: TidyCal
TidyCal is a simple yet effective tool for scheduling appointments and meetings.
- Features: Syncs with your calendar, offers multiple meeting types, and automatic reminders.
- Best For: Scheduling client calls, discovery sessions, and internal team meetings.
Quick Tip: Set up buffer times between meetings to give yourself breathing room.
4. Note-Taking: Notion
Notion is an all-in-one workspace for notes, databases, and collaboration.
- Features: Customizable templates, kanban boards, and a rich text editor.
- Best For: Centralizing all your notes, research, and project ideas in one place.
Quick Tip: Create a “Quick Notes” page for capturing random thoughts throughout the day.
5. Automation: Zapier
Zapier automates workflows between different apps to save you time on repetitive tasks.
- Features: Pre-built workflows, multi-step automations, and customizable triggers.
- Best For: Connecting apps like Gmail, Slack, Trello, and Google Sheets.
Quick Tip: Start with simple automations like saving new email attachments to Google Drive.
To wrap it up
Time management doesn’t have to be a struggle. With the right tech tools, you can streamline your workflow, save hours each week, and focus on what really matters. Start by picking one or two tools that align with your needs and gradually build a system that helps you thrive.