AMZ Seller Financing   •   October 1, 2018

When you’re an Amazon seller, it’s often hard to manage your time in the most productive way. There are so many things to pay attention to, and you can easily get overwhelmed.

This is why it’s extremely important to make sure that you’re in charge of your time. Here are 7 tips that will help you improve your time management and make the best of your day.

Time Management Tips for E-Commerce Sellers

1. Put an End to Multitasking

Multitasking can often seem like a cool thing to do, especially when you’re working from the comfort of your home. However, it’s not very productive.

The problem with multitasking is that it gives you the illusion of being productive – but, in fact, you’re not. It simply appears that you’re getting ahead. In reality, multitasking leaves almost all projects half-finished. It’s very stressful. And it isn’t actually possible.

Therefore, you shouldn’t try to multitask, because it will eventually backfire on you. Schedule every single task you want to accomplish and execute accordingly.

2. Organize Tasks in Batches

If you truly want to be productive, the best thing to do is to group your tasks in batches and start working on them, one by one. Put the most difficult or the most time-consuming task at the beginning of your working day. This will actually save you a lot of time.

People tend to slow down once they face a difficult task, especially towards the end of the working day. That’s why it’s important that you start grinding on the most complicated tasks right away, so that you finish them in due time.

This practice is also closely connected to procrastinating. When we procrastinate, we tend to do small, irrelevant tasks immediately, while leaving all the real hard work for later. But if you reverse it, you will definitely save time and be more productive.

3. Use a Time Tracker

Using a time tracker will help you organize your time much better. When it comes to time tracking, we tend to think that we can do it on our own, without any outside help. But this is not true.

When using a time tracker, you will be able to see exactly how much time you’re spending on all tasks, and schedule accordingly. There are many time tracking tools available online. Some of the most popular are Timely, Toggl, Clockify, and Everhour. Check them out and make your pick.

4. Outsource as Much as You Can

Being an Amazon seller, in charge of your own store – doesn’t mean that you have to do everything by yourself. In fact, it’s perfectly normal (and even necessary) to outsource tasks that are taking up too much of your time. Think about the tasks that are extremely time-consuming, and find someone to do them for you.

Of course, outsourcing means that you will need to pay someone to work for you. For so many Amazon sellers, this can be a problem because of the cash flow. But think of it this way: you will spend much more, and even risk closing your online store…if you do not outsource.

You won’t be able to cover everything on your own, so be sure to outsource those critical tasks and help your business in the long run.

5. Turn Off all Distractions

It’s very easy to get distracted. We’ve all been there. You phone may ring, or there’s an email notification, or some outside noise, etc. And let’s not even mention social media! But it’s very important that you prevent these things from affecting you. While you’re working, your concentration should be “immune” to all distractions.

Don’t answer phone calls (unless you really, really have to), don’t answer emails and give your best to stay focused on the current task. You will be amazed at how much time can be saved when the distractions are kept at bay.

6. Plan, Plan, Plan

Without planning, time management is complicated. Plans can fail you (and often will) but planning will never let you down.

So, at the beginning of every work week, plan every single one of your business activities and place it in a time slot. Be sure to allot enough time, so that you can accomplish each and every tasks “down to a tee”.

Even if all tasks stay the same, week after week – be sure to revisit them regularly and make your schedule even more effective. There’s always some room for improvement.

7. Take a Break Now and Then

If you work all the time, without taking a break, you will burn out before you know it. Therefore, be sure to have enough sleep and take a break when you need one. Remember, it’s perfectly normal to take a break. You will be able to recharge and face new tasks with more energy and focus.

When planning your activities, leave enough “breathing room” so that you can stay productive throughout the year.

Time tracking apps also allow you to set periods of work that alternate with periods of rest. Pomodoro Timer Apps are an example of that.

Make sure you spend your break time well. Don’t simply check your emails or social media and get back to work. Stand up, walk around, stretch, or simply fetch a glass or water.