3 Time-Management Ideas for Sign Company Managers

THOSE OF US WHO seem to survive in this sign industry have a core strength in common: a natural ability to triage work and prioritize our daily activities. When I interview employees and they tell me they love a well-organized workplace where they can tick off a to-do list, or process orders consistently without a fuss, I tell them they need to look somewhere else. The sign industry is one where a crisis (real or imagined) is around every corner, and we know what we won’t get things done each day by making a to-do list the night before; I don’t know what I will get done, but it won’t be what is on that list!

Here are some ways I’ve reconfigured my calendar to better manage my time as my company has changed and grown over the years. Hopefully one of these techniques will help you!

1. Turn off your email notifications. Sitting and working at my desk I found that I could focus better when I let emails quietly gather in the background rather than respond to every one of them like a “sign emergency.” When you have decided to have some desk focus time to review a project, write an estimate or even answer old emails, this will keep you from being distracted and pulled into a new conversation. The emails will be there when you get there. If you are busy that day or out of the office, set up an automated email with timing expectations, or even an alternate way to get help, whether via your cell phone or a colleague’s email address.
2. Time blocking, in any version, can help you limit overwhelm! Time blocking is arranging time in your calendar for scheduling certain activities. The extreme version involves color blocks in your calendar that you reference all day, every day, to guide your activities! The more relaxed version is something like “No appointments after 1 p.m.” or “Email answering from 8-10 a.m.” I started time blocking in 2023 and it has helped me be more successful in tackling tasks. Because my primary role is business development, I have several blocks a week for “coffee meetings” or “Zoom calls.” Once those blocks are full in a particular week, I push new appointments to the following week. If I find I’m scheduling meetings too far out, I know I need to look at delegating work. Time blocking also helps me remember my energy levels for certain work. I’m a morning person, so my highest value work is done before lunch, whether that’s drafting ideas for a client project or team meetings with employees.
3. Use your calendar to push yourself into new habits. When I knew I needed to refocus more on my internal team, I redesigned my calendar to help me form those habits. I dedicate my Mondays to team meetings, and I have a “walk around” built into a couple days a week so I can see team members in their work area and check in on them. If you know you need to get out of the office for marketing, schedule it! Stick to it like it is an appointment with your best client — because it very well might be just that! If you know you’re getting burned out, schedule yourself a late-morning arrival each week to give yourself a breather.

There are lots of great ideas for managing time — just ask Google if you need more! Setting reminders, AI technology, communication apps like Slack and Teams — there are countless ways to streamline parts of your business. Maybe by simply trying new habits you will unlock new behaviors.

Many entrepreneurs feel they don’t work on their business, but in the business. No one can change that for you except you. Don’t be afraid to break old habits and let your technology help you do it!