The Three Biggest Time Wasters By Small Business Owners

Discover the top 3-time wasters for small business owners and learn practical, proven strategies to eliminate them. Reclaim your time, boost productivity, and grow your business smarter.

Administrative Overload

The Problem:
From data entry and invoicing to customer follow-ups and scheduling, administrative tasks are the hidden sinkholes of a business owner’s day. These tasks are necessary but often repetitive, time-consuming, and don’t directly contribute to revenue.

According to a survey by The Alternative Board, small business owners spend nearly 25% of their time on administrative duties. That’s over 10 hours per week not spent on growing the business.

How to Avoid It:
– Automate Repetitive Tasks: Use automation tools 

– Hire a Virtual Assistant: A VA can handle emails, data entry, customer service, etc.
– Implement Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs): SOPs streamline delegation and ensure consistency.

Unproductive Meetings and Poor Communication

The Problem:
Meetings are essential—but only when they’re structured, purposeful, and brief. Many small business owners fall into the trap of over-communicating or miscommunicating, wasting time in the process.

A study by Harvard Business Review found that 71% of meetings are unproductive and cost U.S. businesses billions in lost hours annually.

How to Avoid It:
– Adopt a Meeting Policy: Limit meetings and use models like the 15-minute stand-up.
– Use Asynchronous Communication: Use Slack, Trello, or Notion for collaboration.
– Set Communication Guidelines: Establish when and how to communicate effectively.

Wearing Too Many Hats

The Problem:
Trying to do everything—marketing, sales, HR, IT—leads to burnout and costly mistakes.

How to Avoid It:
– Know Your Zone of Genius: Focus on tasks only you can do.
– Outsource Specialized Tasks: Use freelancers or agencies.
– Use the 80/20 Rule: Focus on the 20% of tasks that produce 80% of results.
– Build a Scalable Team: Start small, but think long-term.

Bonus Tips: How to Take Control of Your Time

– Time Blocking: Schedule your day in focused time blocks.
– Use a Project Management Tool

– Regular Time Audits: Identify and eliminate low-value tasks.
– Mind Your Mindset: Prioritize efficiency over busyness.

Final Thoughts

The ultimate goal for any small business owner should be to spend more time working on the business rather than drowning in the day-to-day minutiae. Eliminating these top three time wasters will free up your mental bandwidth and calendar.

You’ll not only be more productive but also create the space you need to lead, scale, and thrive.

Need a small business consultation? Contact the Corporate & Business Department of the Law Firm of Figeroux & Associates. Call 855-786-8845 or visit www.askthelawyer.us to schedule an appointment.