Time Management for Sales Success: Stop Faffing and Get Sh*t Done

Time Management for Sales Success: Stop Faffing and Get Sh*t Done

Right, let’s have a wee chat about time management.

If you’re running a business, chances are you’re juggling more balls than a circus act 

You’re knee-deep in client work, drowning in emails, and somewhere in the chaos, you’re supposed to find time for sales. Aye, good luck with that, eh?

But, if you don’t make time for sales today, you’ll be sitting there tomorrow wondering where the hell all your clients went. It’s brutal, but it’s the truth. Sales is the lifeblood of your business, and it’s time to stop shoving it to the bottom of your to-do list.

So, how do you manage it all without losing your mind? You need a plan—a simple, no-nonsense approach to balancing sales and client work without working yourself into the ground.

Let’s dive in.

Why You’re Always Skint for Time

Here’s the harsh reality: you’re probably spending too much time on sh*t that doesn’t matter. Be honest with yourself—how many hours have you lost this week fiddling with your website, answering emails that could’ve waited, or scrolling LinkedIn pretending it’s “networking”?

The problem isn’t that you don’t have enough time; it’s that you’re not using it wisely. And before you start throwing things at me, hear me out - I’ve been there, in fact, I’m there pretty much every day.

The trick is to focus on the stuff that actually moves the dial.

4 Time Management Tips to Get Your Act Together

If you’re ready to stop faffing about and start smashing your sales goals, here are four strategies that’ll help you take control of your time:

1.    Focus on the Money-Makers

Not all tasks are created equal, and if you’re spending your day on admin or tweaking your logo for the 10th time (or, like me and my new obsession, refreshing google analytics every two seconds) you’re doing it wrong.

Your priority should be the stuff that brings in the cash, like! 

• Prospecting for new clients

• Following up with leads

• Closing deals

Here’s a tip: block out at least one hour a day for sales tasks. Put it in your diary, set an alarm, and treat it like an appointment with your most important client—because, spoiler alert, it is.

2- The Eisenhower Matrix: Your New Best Pal

When you’ve got a to-do list longer than the queue at Greggs on a Saturday morning, it’s hard to know where to start. That’s where the Eisenhower Matrix comes in. It’s a fancy name for a simple idea: sort your tasks into four categories. 

• Urgent & Important: Do it now (e.g. replying to a hot lead).

• Important, Not Urgent: Plan it (e.g. researching for new clients).

• Urgent, Not Important: Delegate it (e.g. admin work - get someone else to deal with it).

• Not Urgent, Not Important: Bin it (e.g. endlessly scrolling Instagram). 

If it doesn’t make you money or move your business forward, it’s probably in that last category.

Be ruthless.

The "Revenue Sandwich" Approach

Here’s a simple way to structure your day so sales don’t get shoved aside: 

• Morning: Start with sales. You’re sharpest in the morning, so use that time to prospect or follow up with leads.

• Midday: Dive into client work.

• End of Day: Wrap up with quick sales tasks and plan for tomorrow. 

It’s called the “Revenue Sandwich” because sales is the bread that holds your day together. And let’s face it, a sandwich without bread is just a sad pile of filling.

Stay Focused with the Pomodoro Technique

If you’re easily distracted (squirrel!), the Pomodoro Technique is a game changer. It’s dead simple:

• Work in 25-minute sprints.

• Take a 5-minute break after each one (and do whatever you want with it)

• After 4 sprints, take a longer break (go make a cuppa or stare out the window for a bit, check facebook etc.).

It’s a great way to stay productive without burning out. Plus, it makes tackling big tasks, especially the tasks that you find most laborious) feel less daunting. 

Common Time Management Screw-Ups (And How to Avoid Them)

Before you start feeling all smug about your new time management skills, let’s talk about a few pitfalls to watch out for:

1. Trying to Do Everything Yourself: You’re not a super hero. Delegate and outsource the stuff that doesn’t need your personal touch. If you feel you don’t have the budget, ask yourself if paying a little bit of cash now could help you win more clients in the future.

2. Skipping Sales When You’re Busy: It’s tempting to put sales on the back burner when client work piles up, but that’s how you end up in the feast-or-famine cycle. Don’t get greedy, accepting money now will mean you have less in the future if you don’t make time for income-generation

3. Overloading Your To-Do List: Be realistic. You’re not going to conquer the world in a day, so focus on a few high-impact tasks instead of trying to do it all.

Ready to Get Your Sh*t Together? 

Time management isn’t about cramming more into your day—it’s about working smarter, not harder. It’s about making space for the stuff that really matters, like growing your business and keeping your clients happy.

If you’re ready to take these strategies to the next level, check out my Time Management for Sales Success course.

It’s 20 minutes, packed with no-nonsense tips, and designed to help you balance sales and client work like a pro.

👉 Click here to learn more and start smashing your sales goals today.

Final Thoughts

To be fair, running a business is feckin’ hard, but it doesn’t have to feel like you’re constantly chasing your tail. With a bit of planning, some focus, and a whole lot of determination, you can take control of your time and start seeing real results.

So, stop faffing, get your priorities straight, and let’s make some bloody sales! 

You’ve got this!