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How can an entrepreneur reduce his working hours without affecting his business?

A self-employed person is always very committed. His business is his baby. They go for it, often with their heads down, motivated and passionate to the point where they can't think of anything else, especially in the early days. However, he sometimes works 50 hours a week, if not 60 or even more. So much time spent devoting oneself to one's activity is detrimental. You have to know how to balance things out and let go. It's not just a question of your health, but also of your company's future. So how can you reduce your working hours without affecting your business? Follow our advice.

Identify priorities

Everything may seem important to you. That may be true, but some things are more important than others. Learn to postpone or even eliminate some secondary tasks. Set priorities. Eliminate as much as possible work that has little or no impact on the smooth running of your business, and keep only the essentials, the things that really add value.

Discipline yourself

From the outset, force yourself to work at a regular pace. Set a schedule, even a rough one, and take a lunch break. Working long hours is tiring in the long run, especially if you're under constant pressure. Don't think that productivity is synonymous with working long hours. The more rested and relaxed you are, the more productive you'll be. You'll see that you'll be able to do the same job in the same time.

Get organized

It's all a question of organization. Allocate a time slot for each task. Some times of day are better than others.

Don't let paperwork pile up. Sort and file all letters and e-mails as you go along. Remove superfluous mail immediately. Create automatic response templates and standard letters.

List the things you need to do, plan the next day the night before, set up a routine that doesn't get boring.

It's better to do just a few tasks in a day, and do them well, than to botch many tasks.

Choose the right customers

It's a good idea to turn down certain unprofitable jobs. A customer with limited means is just as demanding as a customer who pays well. You'll spend just as much time and effort to earn less money.

So, if possible, aim for a more affluent target, and simpler, faster jobs, or jobs you're better at. The more qualified you are, the more you'll be able to raise your rates for the same work.

Automate

These days, there are thousands of applications and software packages on the Internet, often free of charge, designed to automate as many time-consuming tasks as possible. Mainly administrative and accounting tasks: invoicing, collection, reminders, management of schedules and diaries, creation of forms... There's bound to be a tool that can do some of the work for you.

Time management software allows you to centralize all your company's time and attendance management by linking to a single database. In this way, you can automate all internal processes.

What's more, computers make it much easier to create, transmit, save and file documents. If there are still any holdouts, don't delay.

Delegate

That's what few sole traders manage to do: delegate! And yet, it's the only way to avoid becoming overwhelmed, and to avoid slowing down your development. An entrepreneur who doesn't know how to delegate will never grow his business.

Low value-added tasks can easily be entrusted to someone else. Call on professionals for things you're not good at or don't like doing (accountants, freelance secretaries, window cleaners, advertising agencies...).

If you need to hire, recruit people with skills and qualities you don't have.

Learn to trust, because delegation is essential. Clearly define what needs to be done and the results you expect, give your employees a sense of responsibility, and review the situation regularly.

Focus on your quality of life

Of course your job is important, but it's not the most important thing. What matters is your life. Don't sacrifice it for a job. So optimize your time while remaining as efficient as possible. Learn to free yourself gradually.

If you love your job, you don't think you're working. However, the people around them don't necessarily share this view. So think about those close to you.