11 Effective Time Management Strategies Every Solopreneur Needs to Know

I was catching up with my cousin recently — she’s a solopreneur, navigating the ups and downs of building her own business while also holding down a 9-to-5 job.

She was telling me how overwhelming it can be to manage everything — work, life, and that ever-growing list of things that need her attention.

And I totally get it. Being a solopreneur is no small feat. Life can get pretty packed and, let’s be honest, downright insane.

It’s easy to feel like there just aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. But here’s what I wish someone had told me (and her) sooner: you don’t need a ton of time to make real progress.

In fact, you can accomplish a lot with just ONE HOUR a day. Time is your most valuable resource, and when you plan wisely, that one hour can make all the difference.

But here’s the thing — it’s not just about managing your time better; sometimes, it’s about taking some of that heavy lifting off your plate with some help and support.

At doola, I’ve seen how solopreneurs like my cousin often get bogged down by the tedious but necessary parts of running a business — things like creating a business bank account to formation, tax filing, and bookkeeping.

It’s the stuff nobody really loves but has to get done. 

That’s where doola steps in to save the day and make that precious one-hour count.

Our team takes care of those time-sucking tasks, so you can focus on what really matters: growing your business.

So, let’s explore some ways to save time as a solopreneur and keep your business moving forward.

#1 Time Blocking: Your Secret Weapon

One of the most powerful tools in your time management arsenal is time blocking.

If you’re not familiar with the concept, time blocking is about scheduling specific blocks of time for certain tasks. 

It’s like setting appointments with yourself, and just like you wouldn’t skip a meeting with a client, you shouldn’t skip these either.

Here’s how it works: 

Let’s say you’re dedicating the first hour of your evening to your side hustle. During that time, you’re focused solely on your business — no distractions, no interruptions. 

You can even break down that hour into smaller blocks if you have multiple tasks to tackle. 

For example, 30 minutes for brainstorming, 20 minutes for working on your website, and 10 minutes for responding to emails.

The beauty of time blocking is that it helps you prioritize your tasks and ensures that you’re consistently making progress, even if it’s just in small steps. 

Plus, it’s also incredibly satisfying to see your tasks getting checked off, one block at a time.

#2 The Pomodoro Technique: Work in Short, Focused Bursts

If you find it challenging to stay focused for long periods, the Pomodoro Technique might be just what you need.

Named after the tomato-shaped kitchen timer, the Pomodoro Technique involves working in short, intense bursts — 25 minutes of focused work, followed by a 5-minute break. 

After four “Pomodoros,” you take a longer break, say 15-30 minutes. Easy, right?

Now, why does this work so well?

For one, it breaks your work into manageable chunks, which makes it easier to stay engaged. Plus, those regular breaks help prevent burnout and keep your mind fresh. 

Think of it as sprinting in intervals instead of trying to run a marathon at a steady pace. 

To put it into perspective, imagine you’re working on a big project. Instead of trying to tackle it all in one go, break it down into Pomodoros. 

You’ll find that by the end of the day, you’ve made significant progress without feeling overwhelmed.

Learn more: 15 Innovative Solopreneur Ideas to Start a One-Person Business

#3 Productivity Tools: Work Smarter, Not Harder

If you’re running a small business, you’re probably familiar with the feeling of trying to do a hundred things at once. 

You’ve got deadlines to meet, clients to keep happy, and a to-do list that seems to stretch on forever. 

The reality is that our minds aren’t designed to keep track of every single detail, especially when you’re handling everything on your own.

Trying to juggle all those responsibilities without some assistance is a surefire way to feel burnt out. 

This is where productivity tools come in. They help you manage the chaos, turning what could be an overwhelming workload into something you can actually handle. 

With the right tools at your disposal, you can streamline your tasks, clear the mental clutter, and even carve out some time for yourself.

Here are a few must-have productivity tools that can really change the way you work:

⏰ Project Management Tools

Instead of relying on scattered notes or a mental checklist that’s easy to forget, tools like Trello, Asana, and Notion allow you to organize your tasks in a way that’s clear and manageable.

They give you a visual overview of what needs to be done, what’s in progress, and what’s completed.

⏰ Communication Tools

When you’re working with clients, freelancers, or even just organizing your own thoughts, keeping communication clear and organized is key.

Communication tools like Slack and Zoom are essential for streamlining your workflow by centralizing conversations and making them more accessible. 

Slack allows you to organize discussions into dedicated channels for different projects or teams, ensuring that all relevant information is easy to find and reducing the need to sift through cluttered inboxes. 

Meanwhile, Zoom offers a reliable platform for virtual meetings, enabling clear and direct communication with clients or team members, no matter where they are. 

Together, these tools help you stay organized, respond quickly, and maintain seamless collaboration across your business.

⏰ Time Tracking Tools

Time tracking tools like Toggl and RescueTime give you a clear picture of how you’re actually spending your time, which can be incredibly revealing. 

By tracking your activities throughout the day, these tools highlight where your hours are going, helping you identify time-wasting habits or tasks that take longer than expected. 

For instance, you might think you’re only spending 30 minutes a day on social media, but when you check RescueTime, you realize it’s closer to two hours.

With that kind of insight, you can set limits, adjust your habits, and refocus your energy on more productive tasks.

⏰ Automation Tools

Let’s talk about automation — the ultimate time-saver. Tools like Zapier are like having an extra set of hands that never gets tired.

They connect different apps and automate repetitive tasks, freeing you up to focus on the bigger picture. 

So, every time someone submits an inquiry through your website, Zapier automatically creates a Trello card for it, sends you a notification in Slack, and even adds the contact to your email list. 

It’s these little automated workflows that save you from having to do everything manually. 

Recommended read: 19 Tools To Manage Your Remote Business

#4 Automate, Delegate, or Eliminate: The ADE Formula

The well-known ADE Formula works because it directly addresses the common bottlenecks that solopreneurs face: too many tasks, not enough time, and the mental load of juggling everything solo.

 Here’s how you should put this formula into practice.

👉 Automate the repetitive tasks that eat up your day, like sending invoices or posting to social media, by using tools that do it for you (think Zapier or HubSpot).

👉 Delegate the tasks that don’t need your personal touch—like bookkeeping or graphic design — to freelancers, agencies and AI-powered virtual assistants. In fact, one study by the HBR found that CEOs and entrepreneurs who delegate effectively generate 33% more revenue than those who try to do everything themselves.

👉 Eliminate anything that doesn’t add value or align with your goals.For example, if you’re spending hours every week on a task that doesn’t bring in results, it might be time to eliminate it. 

This could be anything from a marketing strategy that’s not working to a side project that’s taking up too much time. Be ruthless — your time is precious, and it should be spent on activities that drive your business forward. 

Pareto’s Principle, or the 80/20 rule, is a widely recognized concept that suggests 80% of your results come from 20% of your efforts. 

By eliminating the 80% of tasks that don’t contribute significantly to your goals, solopreneurs can drastically improve their focus and productivity.

Keep in mind that the ADE Formula isn’t just a theory; it’s a practical approach that has proven to help solopreneurs streamline their workloads and focus on what really matters.

#5 Focus on One Thing at a Time

Let’s bust a big myth right now: multitasking is not your friend. We’ve all been there — trying to juggle multiple tasks at once, thinking we’re being super productive. 

But the truth is, that multitasking often leads to mistakes, slower progress, and a whole lot of frustration.

So focus on one task at a time. When you’re working on your business, give it your full attention. Not only will you do a better job, but you’ll also find that you complete tasks faster and with less stress.

For instance, if you’re writing content for your website, close all those extra tabs, turn off your phone and just write. You’ll be amazed at how much more you can accomplish when you’re not constantly switching gears.

#6 Learn to Say No

This one might be tough, but it’s VERY VERY IMPORTANT!

As a solopreneur, every time you say yes to something that doesn’t serve your goals, you’re saying no to something that does.

Let’s say you’re running an online marketing business. You’ve identified that creating a series of webinars could really boost your client base and bring in more revenue.

You’ve planned to dedicate your weekend to developing the content and setting up the platform.

But then, a client asks if you can take on an extra project — a rush job that’s outside the scope of what you usually do.

It’s not aligned with your long-term strategy, but you say yes because you don’t want to disappoint the client.

Now, instead of working on your webinars, which could potentially attract dozens of new clients, you’re spending your time on a one-off project that, while it pays the bills, doesn’t move you closer to your bigger goals. 

By saying yes to the extra project, you’ve said no to your webinar series, delaying its launch and the growth it could bring to your business.

Remember, It’s totally okay and professional to turn down requests, even if it feels uncomfortable at first.

Whether it’s a social event, a new project that doesn’t align with your business, or anything else that distracts you from your goals — be firm yet polite.

#7 Let the Experts Handle It

As a solopreneur, you’re wearing a lot of hats, but sometimes it’s worth hiring a professional to handle the complex tasks you’re not an expert in.

Bringing in an accountant or tax professional might seem like an added expense, but think of it as an investment in your peace of mind. 

They know the ins and outs of the tax code and can help you navigate deductions, credits, and other financial strategies that you might not even be aware of. 

Plus, they can also assist with bookkeeping, opening a business account, payroll, and financial planning, ensuring that your finances are in order year-round.

Besides, you wouldn’t try to fix your own plumbing if you’re not a plumber, right? So why try to do your own taxes if you’re not a tax pro?

#8 Focus On Progress Over Perfection

As solopreneurs, you might often feel like everything has to be perfect before you can put it out into the world. But here’s the thing: progress is ALWAYS better than perfection.

Every step you take, no matter how small, is a step toward your goal. 

So, if you find yourself spending hours tweaking your website or rewriting an email for the tenth time, stop. Ask yourself, “Is this good enough to get the job done?” If the answer is yes, then move on.

Your time is too valuable to waste chasing perfection.

For example, let’s say you’re launching a new product. Instead of waiting until every detail is flawless, get it out there and start gathering feedback.

You can always refine and improve it later, but the important thing is to keep moving forward.

#9 Batching Similar Tasks

Here’s a strategy that’s as old as time management itself: batching. Batching is about grouping similar tasks together so you can knock them out in one go.

Think of it like doing laundry — you wouldn’t wash one sock at a time, right?

Apply this logic to your work.

Set aside time for all your social media posts, handle all your client calls in one afternoon, or do all your invoicing at once. This way, you preserve a lot of your mental energy. 

Another relatable example for you: if you’re managing social media for your business, set aside an hour on Monday to plan and schedule all your posts for the week.

By batching these tasks, you free up the rest of the week to focus on other aspects of your business.

#10 Celebrate Small Wins and Acknowledge Your Progress

Running a business on your own is tough, and it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle without stopping to recognize how far you’ve come.

So, take a moment to celebrate your victories, no matter how small. Whether it’s landing a new client, launching a website, or simply getting through a particularly tough week, give yourself credit where it’s due.

These moments of recognition will keep you motivated and remind you why you started this journey in the first place.

Celebrating small wins is about building momentum.

It’s the little things that add up over time, and by acknowledging them, you’re reinforcing positive habits that will keep you moving forward.

Bonus Tip From doola and Your Tip Number 11: Give Yourself Permission to Be Human

Now, here’s a little something extra — call it a bonus tip if you like: give yourself permission to be human. Yes, your business is important, and yes, it needs to be a top priority.

But here’s the thing: it doesn’t have to be a top priority 24/7.

Life happens.

Sometimes you’re just buried under a mountain of tasks, or maybe you just need a breather. And that’s not only okay — it’s essential. 

Taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. So, when the pressure starts to feel like too much, remember this: it’s perfectly fine to let a few things slide, take a step back, and focus on self-care.

You’re building a business, yes, but you’re also human.

And humans need rest, too. Your business will still be there tomorrow, and you’ll be better equipped to tackle it after a little break.

How doola Helps Solopreneurs Reclaim Time and Freedom

If you’re a solopreneur, time and freedom are probably at the top of your wish list.

You want more hours to focus on the parts of your business you’re passionate about and the freedom to actually enjoy the life you’re working so hard to create. 

That’s where doola comes in. We’re here to take those messy but essential tasks — like business formation, tax filing, and bookkeeping — off your plate.

Even better?

We help you clear all kinds of paperwork clutter, so you can get back to what you love most, whether that’s growing your business, spending time with loved ones, or just taking a moment to breathe.

Why not book a free consultation and see how we can help you strengthen your business while staying compliant?