This final tip is both a time-saving and a business-building tip: Every month, choose just one goal in your business, and make sure you only do things that move you towards achieving that goal.
For example, my first month's goal was to get my first paying client. Each to-do had to contribute to that goal. Otherwise, I didn't do it; it had to wait.
For my second month in business, my goal was to get my next two clients. Again, I didn't do anything that didn't help me meet that goal.
That's how I was able to create such focused momentum and growth in my business while working a demanding job. It wasn't that I had more time or had superhuman discipline. (Remember: I still set aside time to watch my top TV shows every week!)
It's not easy, but it's possible. The key is quality over quantity; using your limited time to work on fewer to-do items that made the biggest difference in growing your business.
Luisa Zhou is the creator of the Employee to Entrepreneur system, which teaches people how to leave their day job and start their own six-figure plus business working for themselves. She's been featured in Forbes, Inc, Entrepreneur, Success magazine, and more. Get her free blueprint for building a profitable online business that frees you from the 9-5.