Time management is the key to promo products professionals feeling more productive and having more energy, less stressed and more time. Follow our tips and you’ll take more things off your plate and accomplish your goals. It’s all in a day’s work!

#1 Set Priorities & Manage a Daily To-Do List.

Outline what you want to accomplish, including long- and short-term goals. Break down long-term goals into smaller tasks or stepping stones and set due dates. Then, add in daily to-dos and things you must accomplish into a checklist you can follow each day. Make sure you prioritize your days with the most important things first to make sure they’re completed – plus, if you need more time, it’s easier to shuffle your tasks around in the beginning rather than at the end of the day when you’re almost out of time.

If you tend to overthink or spend too much on certain tasks, assign a timeframe for each item on your list. Get in the habit of checking the clock every now and then to make sure you stay on target. Some people find it easier to do a morning to-do list and a separate afternoon to-do list. Don’t be afraid to try different things and find out what works best for your personality type and work style.

#2 Delegate.

Don’t be afraid to ask others for their ideas and to lend their experience. If you have a team, use their strengths to make up for your weaknesses (that’s one of the best aspects to having a team!). You’ll be much less stressed if you divide and conquer, especially when you allow others to focus on tasks that may be harder for you.

When you have large projects or short turnaround times, give each person a portion of the work and set an end time. This is the best way to tackle anything that feels overwhelming.

For a one-person band, look for small ways you can delegate using technology, which brings us to our third tip.

#3 Use a Planning Tool.

Everyone is different. While some people need a physical list or sticky notes, others want a color-coded schedule in their email client. Although those basic tools can be helpful, technology is advancing so much, that there are now even better options to help us all manage our days. For the promo products industry, there’s no better time management tool than ASI’s new technology platform ESP+.

Much more than just a product search tool, ESP+ helps you organize and simplify your tasks and communications with clients and suppliers into a single interface that automatically updates order statuses. Plus, ESP+ has three unique features you won’t find in any other industry solution – Client Portal, Project Management and Orders & Production.

ESP+ can help you stay organized and on task, as well as share info with everyone at your company and your customers.

#4 Limit multitasking.

Although multitasking sounds like a great asset, it can really be a hinderance, mostly because it’s technically impossible for our brains to complete more than one thing at a time. Your time will be much better spent if you focus. As opposed to hopping from item to item on your to-do list, do one thing at a time or set time limits for how long you’ll work on something. If you find yourself constantly distracted by email, text and social media notifications, turn them off. You’ll find your focused efforts will result in better outcomes than when you’re being pulled in a million directions.

#5 Take short, frequent breaks.

Get up. Get a drink of water. Take a walk around the block. Grab a snack. Play fetch with your dog. Fill up your car with gas. Get away from your screen and give yourself time to reset before you dive back in again. Breaks will help you be better focused when you’re working, and you’ll accomplish tasks much more quickly.

What are some of your time management tips? Share with us on our members-only Facebook Page.