Feeling Overwhelmed? Here are Five Ways to Work Smarter, Not Harder

Running a business gives you a lot to juggle all at once. You have to deal with emails, clients, marketing, and bookkeeping, all while being this amazing visionary.

Do you ever end your days wondering if you actually got anything done?

Let me give you five ways to ease your stress and find some peace.

1. Start With Your “One Thing”

I get it. Sometimes, it seems like everything on your to-do list is urgent. But try coming at it with a new mindset.

Try starting each day by picking your “one thing” from your list. This one task should be something that makes a big impact (it’s up to you what that looks like).

Maybe it’s following up with a potential client, finishing an article, or sending a proposal. Choose your thing, block off time for it, and get it done.

Regardless of how the rest of the day goes, you’ll know you did at least one meaningful thing. That can make all the difference.

2. Batch Similar Tasks

I talk about this all the time. Jumping back and forth between tasks makes you lose focus and time. You see it as multitasking, but it’s making everything harder.

Instead, batch similar tasks together:

• Pick one or two times each day to reply to emails.

• Block off time to schedule a week of social media posts.

• Update reports, invoices, and other paperwork during a set time.

When you only have to focus on one thing at a time, you work faster and don’t feel so stressed.

3. Use Templates for Anything You Repeat

If you realize you’re writing the same types of messages or documents more than once, you need templates.

You might want templates for:

• Onboarding emails

• Follow-ups

• Reports or proposals

• Social media captions

You’re not cutting corners or being lazy. You’re freeing up mental space for the things that actually need your creativity.

4. Automate the Small Stuff

You don’t need complicated systems to make automation work for you. A few tools can handle routine tasks and give you back so much time each week.

Try:

• A scheduling link instead of endless back-and-forths

• Recurring invoices for ongoing clients

• Email workflows that deliver guides or freebies automatically

Automation keeps things moving, even when you’re done working.

5. Delegate Before You Burn Out

If your days are filled with small tasks that keep you busy but not productive, it might be time to bring in support.

Delegating isn’t a luxury. It’s a strategy. A virtual assistant can manage your inbox, update content, handle admin work, and keep your systems running smoothly so you can focus on what actually grows your business.

Moving Forward

Productivity isn’t about pushing yourself harder. It’s about creating space to work with more purpose and less pressure. It’s not worth it if it’s causing you more stress.

Start with one of these shifts and see how it changes your week. And if you’re ready to hand off some of the behind-the-scenes tasks so you can run your business better, let's talk!