Running your own business is no easy feat and it can be easy to get caught up in the grind. But working smarter—not harder—means finding ways to make your time and energy go further. We’ve shared six tried and tested tips to help you streamline your workflow, stay productive, and still have time for the things you love (we promise it is possible!)
1. Take breaks and get moving
Feeling stuck? It happens to everyone. Sometimes the best thing you can do is step away and move. Whether it’s a quick walk around the block or a yoga session, a bit of exercise can reset your mind, spark creativity, and give you that boost you need to get back on track.
Taking regular breaks isn’t slacking—it’s smart. When you come back, you’ll be sharper, more energised, and ready to tackle your next task.
2. Stick to a routine
Without structure, things can quickly go off the rails. Invoices get forgotten, deadlines creep up, and you end up playing catch-up. Having a routine keeps things steady.
Look, life isn’t always predictable (in fact, it rarely is), but if you have a plan and get back on track when things go sideways, you’ll stay productive. And while you’re at it, build some exercise into your routine—you’ll thank yourself later.
3. Use the 80/20 rule
The 80/20 rule (aka the Pareto Principle) is a simple way to focus on what matters. The idea? 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts.
Figure out which tasks drive your business forward and which are just time-wasters. For example, invoicing is essential, but it shouldn’t take up your whole day. That’s where Payment Bear can help—automating invoices and follow-ups so you can focus on the work that really counts.
4. Plan for what’s ahead
You can’t predict everything, but some things are a given—bills, taxes, invoices. If you prepare for these ahead of time, you’ll avoid the last-minute stress.
Keeping your finances in order throughout the year is a game-changer. Don’t wait until tax season to organise your receipts. And if you use tools like Payment Bear, you can automate a lot of these processes, giving you one less thing to worry about.
5. Automate the boring stuff
Some tasks just don’t deserve your time. Scheduling meetings, tracking expenses, and chasing payments are all things you can automate.
Payment Bear makes invoicing painless, so you get paid on time without lifting a finger. Plus, it connects with other apps to streamline your workflow even more. Automating the small stuff frees you up to focus on the bigger picture.
6. Make the most of your content
If you’re creating content to market your business, don’t just let it sit in one place. Repurpose it!
That blog post you wrote? Break it into a series of social media posts. Use it as a script for a video. Turn it into an infographic. Reworking what you already have saves time and helps you reach a wider audience without doubling your effort.
Make work easier with Payment Bear
The secret to working smarter is finding ways to cut out the noise. Build good habits, focus on the tasks that matter, and let tools like Payment Bear handle the admin. You’ll spend less time on the busy work and more time doing what you’re passionate about.
Ready to simplify your business? Try Payment Bear today.
