All too often, business owners put off until tomorrow what could be done today. They run from one crisis to another.

By careful planning, you can reduce wasted time and avoid crisis management.

Here is a list to help you start to manage your time more efficiently. Take five minutes to implement these ideas today in your business.

• Set clear goals and priorities.

• Use a diary system — either paper-based or electronic (try using a PDA or MS-Outlook) — to organise your time.

• Keep clear lists — once a task is on the list, you won’t forget it.

• Do the hardest tasks first. That way, the easier ones will take no time to complete.

• Break down big jobs into small chunks and do them one step at a time.

• Focus on important things, even if they are not immediately urgent.

Support yourself with systems to organise your work. If you are not sure about systems, then speak with someone who can help you to create a system that will work for you