📈 Mastering Your Time as an Entrepreneur

Is your inbox full of:

“Urgent!”

“Needs Your Attention”

“Please Respond”

That’s the life of an entrepreneur.

Your to-do list is never-ending, and somehow everything is urgent.

If you don’t take control of your time, it will control you.

Time management becomes a survival skill for entrepreneurs.

I started Greenbox Storage as a junior at Dartmouth College.

I was juggling classes, playing Div. 1 hockey, AND running my business.

To get through it all, I developed THIS time management system:

1. The 80/20 Rule

The 80/20 rule says 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts.

Translation: Focus on what actually moves the needle.

Take a hard look at your tasks.

Which ones drive revenue, build relationships, or grow your business?

Those are your priorities. 

Everything else? Delegate, automate, or delete.

2. Plan Your Day Like a Pro

Start every day with a game plan.

Prioritize 3–5 key tasks you absolutely must accomplish.

Write them down, block time on your calendar, and commit to getting them done.

Bonus Tip: Handle your most important task first thing in the morning.

That’s when your energy and focus are at their peak.

Plus, knocking it out early gives you a win before noon.

3. Say No More Often

Every “yes” to a low-priority task is a “no” to something that matters.

By default, becoming a business owner is a one-way path to burnout.

You HAVE to take control by carving a better path.

Saying no doesn’t make you a bad person, it makes you an effective leader.

Protecting your time is protecting your business.

4. Batch, Don’t Bounce

Switching between tasks constantly is a productivity killer.

Instead, batch similar tasks together. For example:

• Answer emails at set times, instead of all day long.

• Schedule all your meetings on the same day.

• Dedicate a block of time for creative work like planning or content creation.

Batching keeps your brain in one mode, so you’re more efficient and less mentally fried.

5. Use Tools, Not Just Grit

There’s no shame in getting a little help.

Use tools to manage your time and keep you organized.

Apps like Asana or Notion can streamline your workflow and help you stay on track.

Automate repetitive tasks wherever possible.

From scheduling social media posts to sending invoices, automation frees up precious hours for what matters most.

The Takeaway

Time is the one thing you can’t make more of, but you can make the most of it.

By focusing on priorities, planning your day, saying no, batching tasks, and leveraging tools, you can take control of your schedule and your business.

No one starts a business to feel like they’re drowning in to-dos. 

The goal is to work smarter.

Business Blitz Podcast

Brian O’Connor built a powerhouse network of over 85,000 social media followers.

Last week, I sat down with Brian on the Business Blitz Podcast to discuss his journey in entrepreneurship, learning how to speak to the internet, and the leverage social media can offer.

Watch:

Whenever you’re ready, there are 4 ways I can help you:

1. FounderBrands: Drive leads to your business from Twitter / X. Grow your online brand in only one hour per month.

2. Hire me as a consultant to take your business to the next level.

3. Offshore Hiring Guide: Learn how to hire inexpensive ($6 / hour) offshore talent in 3 weeks or less.

4. Promote your business to 1,800+ subscribers by sponsoring my newsletter.

Cheers,

Collin Rutherford

PS. You know it’s the holidays when…