How time management techniques help you use your time effectively

Time is an important asset for tradespeople, especially sole traders. That’s why time management techniques can be used in your business plan, to plot ahead and boost your profits.

Knowing how to plan and use your time effectively is an important skill. After all, a trade business isn’t always busy all year round.

Having a time management plan in place means you won’t waste precious hours. With some simple planning, you’ll have time on your side.

What goes into a time management plan?

Use your time well by being prepared. That way, you’ll have something lined up even when you unexpectedly have time available.

Here are some tips to get you going:

• Divide larger projects up into manageable sizes to plan your time better
• Look ahead to spot possible downtime periods
• Review how things went on projects so you can use our time better in future
• Don’t dither or waste time – be decisive in your actions
• Set deadlines for jobs to reduce the risk of downtime

A time management action plan needs to focus on when you’re busy and when you’re not. Not all trade types are busy all year round. Some jobs are seasonal, such as boiler repairs, tree surgery and landscape gardening. This can impact your business cash flow.

While that’s frustrating, it can also be an opportunity. Making a time business plan to use your time effectively is an important skill.

Not sure what to include? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.

Setting a time management action plan for your downtime

So, what do you do when the work is quiet? Did you know many options can help you plan ahead? Want to get better equipped? Want to improve your work/life balance?

Let’s look at some of the best ways to keep you busy, even in those quieter periods:

Plan your future with lists

While you’re effectively grounded, simple time management techniques are a great way to stay motivated. What upcoming jobs do you have? Is there anything you need to prepare in advance?

Consider writing a to-do list in order of priority for your time management plan. Then work your way down from the top. It’s a good time to start visualising what direction your career is heading.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

• What seasonal jobs could be coming up?
• Have you checked in with previous customers?
• Where do you want to be in the next few years?
• What do you want to achieve with your business?

There’s nothing more satisfying than ticking items off a list. If you use the time, business planning can become almost second nature.

Sort out your admin

Quiet periods are a great time to get your paperwork up to date. Make sure your time management action plan includes periods for catching up on admin.

Whether you use a business app or you’re old-school and use a paper diary, don’t put it off.

Here are some tasks you could undertake:

• Get those invoices sent, chased and/or paid
• Update your work logs
• Check-in with your accountant
• Add any new work experience to your portfolio
• Review your Checkatrade profile
• Contact customers to ask them for reviews
• Check certifications and qualifications have not expired

No one really likes admin. It tends to get put off for a rainy day. So if you’re a tradesperson that works outside, like a roofer, gardener or bricklayer, why not make use of those actual rainy days?

Update your website and social media profiles

Your development plan for time management should also cover your online presence.

Your website is the ‘shop window’ of your business and brand. During quiet patches, make sure it’s up to date to stay professional, relevant and in demand.

Similarly, your social media is important for building a relationship with potential customers. Keep them updated with the latest information, photos, news and insights. Updating these sites is a great use of time during quieter periods.

Here are some top digital tips:

• Check your profile text is still correct and reflects any recent changes – has your work changed slightly?

• Make yourself look more professional. Could you use this time to create brand pictures?
• Do you need a new logo?
• Do your Checkatrade web categories need updating?
• Have you got some pictures you were meaning to upload?
• Will you be covering a larger area and therefore need to increase your work radius?
• Link your website and social media together to make navigating between them easier for potential customers

Listen to helpful podcasts

Time management techniques are all about filling unexpected (or planned) gaps in your day. Fill that space with finding out useful information that can boost your business in the long run.

Podcasts are a great way to catch up on news and find out new things. You can even listen and work on other things at the same time.

One way to stay ahead of the curve is to listen to specialist trade podcasts. Here are some channels from around the world that we think are worth a listen:

• The Tradesman Experience
• Trench Talk
• Six-Figure Tradesman
• The Site Shed

Choose from plenty more tradesperson podcasts for handy hints – and if you can find some in your particular area of expertise – even better!

Tune in to trade radio

Another strand in a time management plan focuses on infotainment. It’s a listen-and-learn experience.

Try listening to a radio station that focuses on trade business. Fix Radio is the UK’s first and only radio station dedicated to tradespeople.

Pick up handy hints from shows dedicated to carpentry, electricians, plumbing, decorating and plastering.

Catch up with trade news online

Many aspects of business life are enacted online. Make sure your time management plan includes ways to do this.

Here are some examples of techniques to consider for your time management plan:

• Chat with other tradespeople in online forums
• Join social media groups that are relevant to your trade
• Share hints and tips with like-minded people
• Find work by networking online
• Talk about the latest trends in your trade

Typical topics include how to deal with work peaks and troughs, plus handling seasonal trends.

Get a virtual assistant

Getting someone else to organise your time efficiently saves you hassle.

Virtual assistants are popular for a good reason. They help you prioritise your workload – even if you’re a sole trader.

Getting an extra pair of hands when quiet might seem counter intuitive, but it will really help you streamline processes once you’re busy again.

Learn a new skill

You should never stop learning. A well-established time management technique is to improve yourself, maybe by learning a new trade entirely.

Even if you’re already highly skilled in your trade, taking on a new skill is a great way to win new business.

• It could be a new technique in your trade or a new area for you
• Alternatively, take a course on something entirely unrelated

Keeping your mind busy is an excellent use of your time. If you develop more skills when you have some spare time, it can only help your business succeed in the longer term as you can widen your audience.

Taking the time to plan how to grow your business

Spend your free time building up your business and you won’t regret it. If your time is best used finding leads and making new contacts, then we can help.

The best place to start if you haven’t already is getting yourself a Checkatrade membership. Our members receive our help with new enquiries. There are lots of other benefits of Checkatrade membership too.

They include:

• Dedicated membership advice team
• Work guarantee up to £1,000
• Exclusive offers and discounts
• Up to 20% off Public Liability Insurance
• Reduced cost of workwear and branding
• Savings on other business essentials such as vans, fuel and materials

Key takeaways

• Knowing how to plan and use your time effectively is an important business skill
• Using time management techniques that suit how you run your business and the trade you are in will make the best use of downtime
• Being better organised saves you time and helps you to keep on top of things
• Learning new skills can boost your business and profits
• Staying ahead of the curve by listening to a podcast is a great use of your time
• Tuning into a trade-focused radio station can be educational and relaxing – you can even listen in while doing other tasks

Content disclaimer: This content has been created for general information purposes and should not be taken as formal advice. Read our full disclaimer here.