1. Keep a To-Do List
When you’re in the middle of a project, it’s easy to be distracted from a text, tweet, email or phone call. By making a to-do list the night before and setting hard deadlines for each objective, you’ll be able to accomplish more during the day. Leave that list on your desk where you can see it often, and leave a pen next to it so you can feel relief as you cross off each task.

When managing projects, follow these three easy steps: eliminate, automate, delegate.

2. Trim Meetings Down
In the breakneck pace of the on-demand digital age, physical meetings waste too much time. While it’s important to connect with coworkers and clients, too much meeting up just for the sake of it can be detrimental to your business. Try trimming all internal meetings in half. Face-to-face time with clients is important, but if the travel is too much, consider substituting some of these meetings with Skype or Facetime calls.

3. Empty Your Inbox
Letting your emails pile up only saves time in the short run. Eventually, you’re going to have to sort your inbox, so proactively delete the junk that comes in (or unsubscribe). Don’t get trapped in any email chains, either. If the message you are sending to someone doesn’t require a response, start your email by stating “no response required.”

4. Divide and Conquer
When managing projects, follow these three easy steps: eliminate, automate, delegate. Determine which tasks are the most important and block everything else out so you can finish them. Then figure out which tasks can be done faster or easier through technology or a streamlined process. Finally, divvy up the remaining tasks among others. Don’t feel like you have to carry the load alone.

5. Shuffle the Rolodex
Nobody wants to give away clients, but some aren’t worth the time and effort. Don’t let inconsistent, small-paying or nuisance clients weigh you down. Cut bait on those in order to devote more time to current and potential clients who are most profitable. Compare your clients in terms of annual sales and gross profit dollars – take a good hard look at the bottom 25% of both factors. If they’re not worth the effort, diplomatically inform them.

6. Encourage Repeat Business
Cold calling is perhaps the most time-consuming of sales activities. Once you make that initial sale, maintain communication with that client to build a relationship. You won’t have to waste time on making them comfortable, and you’ll be able to learn more about their needs and how you can help.