10 ways to manage your time as a bag maker and boost your sales

As a Bag maker, you know how easy it is to lose track of time, leading to low inventory , unfulfilled orders, and stalled projects. If not managed properly time can be the bane of your crafting business. Here are ten effective strategies to help you manage your creative hours more efficiently.

1.“Eat that frog first”

This means tackle the hardest most dreaded task first thing in the day,(for me its production sewing and editing video content ,what’s yours?) By getting it out of the way early you will feel a huge sense of accomplishment and the rest of your tasks will seem much more manageable. Whatever it is tackle it head-on and enjoy ticking it off your list.

This book “Eat That Frog” written by Brian Tracy, focuses on time management and productivity strategies to help readers prioritize their tasks and accomplish their goals more effectively ,try it out for more clarity and let me know what you think.

2.Set clear goals:

Setting clear goals provides direction and focus, making it easier to prioritize tasks and track progress. Define what you want to achieve each month then break down larger projects into manageable tasks per week then days.

Example: Instead of aiming to “finish more projects”, set a specific goal like” complete five new handbags by the end of the month.”

If you’re struggling with setting goals in your handmade business and don’t know which projects you want to tackle then, I highly recommend journaling. It really helped me narrow down to what I actually wanted from my Bag making business.

Using guided journaling and free writing exercises has helped me figure  out my priorities making goal setting easier.  

3.Batch similar tasks

Group similar tasks together and dedicate specific time slots for them, tasks like cutting fabrics, sewing or packaging products. When am sewing bags for sell I don’t sew one piece at a time ,I usually cut out multiples from a single pattern and use different fabrics and hardware for each bag, I then cut and interface pieces in one day or two depending on the number of bags am making and the number of pattern pieces am working with, doing this will help you work faster and more efficiently.

4.Limit distractions:

Create a dedicated workspace. Turn off notifications on your phone or computer while working if that helps. Some people like quiet spaces to work in others work better with background noise like music .

If your craft space is the kitchen table ,or living room area, I would suggest using the hours were your kids are away for school or in bed at night so you can use that time to focus on your work with no distractions.

It takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to return to a task after interruption according to a study by Gloria Mark at the university of California, Irvine .This significant loss of time can impact productivity.

5. Use tools and technology:

Utilize project management tools like Trello, Todoist or google keep notes to keep track of your tasks and deadlines. I have used all the tools mentioned above but I stuck with google keep notes because it suited my needs, I use it to create lists for my bag projects and business .

You can use the stopwatch or timer on your phone. Find tools and technology that you can easily integrate into your work-life. Check out the play store or app store for time tracking apps to monitor how long tasks take and identify areas for improvement.

6.Delegate when possible

If you have a team or are able to outsource certain tasks then do so.  This will free you up so you can focus on high priority tasks . Utilize team members’ strength to improve on productivity.

Some one else can help you with batch production after you have created a specific pattern or design,but your marketing ,sales and branding is something I believe you should take an active role in .

Differentiate between the busy work and the work that will take your business to the next level. Activities like networking ,going for trainings to develop your skill-set or financial literacy are sometimes overlooked as we spend all our time in craft rooms  creating products.

7.Take breaks:

Taking regular breaks can help you maintain your creativity and energy levels which increases productivity. You can use the Pomodoro technique working for 25 minutes and then taking a 5-minute break. I always take ten minute breaks when I am sewing, the point is to do what works for you and what you can stick with.

Example : work in 25 minute intervals then I will get up to stretch and do something fun .This keeps me upbeat and motivated to get things done and keeps me from procrastinating.

8.Create a schedule

A well-structured schedule helps you allocate time effectively and stick to deadlines, plan your day or week in advance by blocking out time for different activities. Remember to Include crafting, administrative tasks, marketing and breaks. You can do this in an app or a planner .

Even if you do not manage to tick off everything on your to do list ,writing it down will  keep you from forgetting it so you can slot it in next time.

Scheduling tasks can  improve on productivity by 30%  according to the American management association.

9.Reflect and adjust

Regularly review your schedule and productivity, and adjust your plans as needed to improve on efficiency. Everyone has different peak productivity times identify when you’re most alert and use that period for errands requiring clear thinking like, designing or planning.

Save repetitive tasks like sewing or cutting fabric for times when your energy dips. I am always changing my schedule and productivity plan ,I sometimes base this on projects  am doing or what works for me at the moment.

10.Prioritize Self-care

Ensure you allocate time for rest, exercise and activities that recharge you. Taking care of your physical and mental well being is crucial for sustained productivity.

Try out new hobbies, get enough sleep, and do some workouts all these things will help to rejuvenate your mind and body. I take morning walks and journal every day, it makes me happy and gives me a positive outlook on life so when I get back to work I feel energized.

Remember, the key  is to find what works best for you and consistently apply these practices to see significant improvements in your efficiency and overall satisfaction.

Finding the right balance between your creative pursuits and the practical aspects of your craft can be challenging. But by implementing these strategies, you can manage your time more effectively and maintain a balance between creativity and productivity in your crafting endeavors.

Which of these techniques will you be trying ? let me know in the comment section.

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