Time Management

How Many Holidays Should a Business Owner Take?

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If you own a business, when was the last time you took a proper break without feeling like you should be back at work?

I meet plenty of business owners who tell me they want more holidays, more time with their family and more opportunities to actually enjoy what they’ve built. But unless that time is deliberately planned, there’s always something in the business that gets in the way.

I’m a big believer that holidays shouldn’t just happen when you finally find a gap in the calendar. I have a simple system I use each year to make sure I get proper holidays, shorter breaks and plenty of long weekends throughout the year.

It’s good for me, it’s good for my family and I reckon it’s good for the business too. When you’re constantly working without taking a break, eventually you become stale, your productivity drops and your team can start picking up on it as well.

In the video below, I’ll show you exactly how I plan my holidays each year and the simple system I use to make sure they actually happen.

You might not want the same number of holidays or the same types of trips I do, and that’s not really the point. The important thing is having a system and putting the time aside before the year gets away from you.

After all, your business should give you more choices in life, not fewer.

Please reach out if you need help structuring a plan.

Thanks,
Hugh

Are Your Priorities in the Right Order?

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Many business owners find themselves constantly putting out fires, responding to customer demands and working long hours, often at the expense of their own wellbeing and family life.

In this short video, I share a simple framework that can help you make better decisions about where to spend your time and energy.

The framework challenges the way many business owners prioritise the important areas of their life and highlights why getting those priorities out of order can lead to burnout, stress and strained relationships.

I explain why looking after yourself should come first, followed by your family, your business, your team and finally your customers.

It may sound surprising at first, but when you understand the reasoning behind this approach, it becomes much easier to make decisions that support both your personal wellbeing and long term business success.

Watch the video below to learn how this simple framework can help you create better balance and focus on what matters most.

Thanks

Hugh

Should Staff Be Paid by the Hour?

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I’ve been having a lot of conversations with clients about how to structure pay for non-billable office staff – especially project managers and operations managers in trades and manufacturing businesses. A common question that keeps coming up is: Should these staff be paid by the hour? 

I’ve seen a pattern, especially with team members who’ve moved off the tools and into the office. Some of them come in with a bit of a clock watching mindset – they’re used to being paid hourly and working to rigid schedules. But once they’re in a leadership or coordination role, things need to shift. 

In my view, these roles should be based around fixed hours, say 8:30 to 5:00, but with a clear understanding that there needs to be some give and take. Maybe they’ll stay back late to finish a project, drive back from an interstate site, or set up jobs for the next day. On the flip side, they might pop out to a dentist appointment or need some flexibility from time to time. That’s all part of it. 

What’s most important is that they understand their role is no longer about punching the clock. It’s about managing their own time and being focused on results and completion. The job is to get things done whether it’s submitting a tender, finalising a schedule, or making sure the team has what they need to hit the ground running. 

But here’s the key: this needs to be communicated right from the start. When you’re hiring, when you’re onboarding, and through everyday conversations. Talk about expectations, reinforce the idea of ownership, and most importantly lead by example. 

When this kind of culture is set up well, it works beautifully. But if it’s left unclear or assumed, that’s when issues creep in. 

If you want support with setting up these expectations and building a results focused culture in your business, reach out. I’m always happy to help. 

Hugh Bowman
Business Consulting for Tradies 

Fix the Evil To-Do List

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Let’s talk about the evil to-do list — you know the one. It’s long, overwhelming, and somehow never seems to get shorter. You tick off a few things, but the list keeps growing and you don’t feel like you’re actually achieving anything meaningful. Sound familiar?

This blog is inspired by a client (you know who you are, Adrian!) who told me they’d had a task on their to-do list for over a month — and still hadn’t done it.

Here’s the thing: if you get really effective at managing your to-do list, you can boost your productivity by up to 25%. That’s huge. I’ve studied this topic a lot, read plenty of books, and people often ask how I get so much done. So today, I’m sharing some of the most powerful strategies I use and teach my clients.

Key Principles for Smarter To-Do Lists:

✅ There’s always time for the most important things

This is a mindset shift. Yes, your list will always be too long. You’ll never get everything done — but you can always make time for the most important things. When I catch myself saying “I don’t have enough time,” I know it’s a signal that something needs to change.

✅ Set Quarterly Goals

A powerful to-do list starts with knowing your bigger-picture goals. When you have a quarterly focus, your daily and weekly lists become purposeful steps that lead you forward.

✅ Use the 80/20 Rule

Also known as the Pareto Principle — 80% of your results will come from 20% of your tasks. So focus on the few high-impact actions that really move the needle. In most roles, there are 6–12 key responsibilities, but usually only 3 of those generate most of the value.

✅ Create Chunks of Time

You can’t do meaningful work in scattered 5-minute gaps. I sit down with my team every week to block out focused chunks of time for high-priority activities — like recording videos or planning campaigns. Make sure your calendar reflects your priorities.

✅ Protect Your Golden Hours

For me, my most productive window is between 10am and 4pm. During that time, I avoid low-value tasks like errands or long lunches. Instead, I focus on the work that matters most. Find your golden hours and guard them fiercely.

 

The Daily To-Do List System

Here’s how I work with my lists:

  1. Create your list the night before.
    This gives your subconscious time to start solving problems and mentally prepare.
  2. Start with a weekly list.
    I do mine every Sunday (or sometimes Friday), outlining everything that needs to be done that week.
  3. Then create your daily list.
    Pull items from your weekly list and focus only on what needs to be done that day.

Example daily list:

  • Record video
  • Advertise office
  • Design a bonus
  • Call the ATO
  • Make a sales call
  • Check domain info
  1. Categorise tasks with A, B, C, or D:
    • A = Must Do
    • B = Should Do
    • C = Nice to Do
    • D = Delegate or Delete

Prioritise the A-tasks and don’t let the day finish without tackling them.

  1. Handwritten is powerful.
    You can use your phone or apps, but for many people (myself included), writing by hand reinforces focus and commitment.
  2. Throw out the list at day’s end.
    Start fresh each day with a clean, intentional list.

 

Final Thoughts

Becoming a master of your to-do list won’t happen overnight. It’s not a tick-the-box skill — it’s a mindset and a habit that grows over time. No matter what stage of business you’re in, improving how you manage your time is one of the most valuable things you can do.

Focus on progress, not perfection — and start today by fixing that evil to-do list.