5 Ways Timaru Business Owners Waste Time – and What to Do Instead
Most business owners I meet in South Canterbury aren’t lazy – they’re flat out. The problem isn’t a lack of effort. It’s that a lot of the effort is going into the wrong places.
If your days are disappearing and you’re still not getting the results you want, here are five common time-wasters I see again and again – and some better options.
1. Doing everything yourself
Just because you can do it, doesn’t mean you should. That includes things like bookkeeping, social media, chasing quotes, and updating your website. Outsourcing doesn’t have to mean hiring staff – there are smart ways to delegate without adding to your wage bill.
2. Putting out fires instead of fixing the source
Are you dealing with the same issues over and over? Missed deadlines, team confusion, unhappy customers? You’re not alone. But if you’re always reacting instead of fixing the cause, you’ll never get ahead. The solution often lies in better systems – not more hustle.
3. Starting things and never finishing
This one’s a killer. A half-finished marketing campaign, a website that’s “almost done”, a customer follow-up system that never got launched – they all drain your time without delivering results. Better to finish one thing properly than juggle five half-done ones.
4. Sitting on decisions
I get it – some choices feel too big. But staying in indecision mode is exhausting and time-consuming. You look at the same issue over and over, but nothing moves forward. A consultant (yes, like me) can help you assess the options, make a call, and keep things moving.
5. Letting your day get hijacked
Emails, texts, staff questions, courier issues – your day disappears before lunch. Without a plan and some boundaries, it’s impossible to get real work done. I help clients set up structures that protect their time so they can focus on the things that really matter.
Need a hand?
If any of this sounds familiar, don’t feel bad – it’s extremely common. Most of us weren’t taught how to run a business efficiently. But it’s never too late to change how things work. I’m a local business consultant based in Timaru, and I help business owners across South Canterbury get more from their time and effort. Let’s talk.
