Why mastering your time is key to being a successful founder

As a founder you can feel like you’re being pulled in all sorts of directions. With so many priorities, finding time to decompress and evaluate your business’ situation can feel unachievable. However, mastering your time doesn’t require superhero methods, but small incremental changes that will lead to big results.

You will spend around 100,000 hours in your career, so dedicating 10,000 hours to mastering your time to avoid regretting not pursuing your goal is nothing in the grand scheme of things. In my experience, when I decided I wanted to climb the 7 highest mountains in the world, I made sure I received the best training, used the best equipment, and committed myself to all the technical aspects that were necessary to complete each feat. In business, the methods are no different and the skills I have laid out can be applied to any scenario you should find yourself in.

Time is money

Arguably the most important reason why you should manage your time effectively as a founder is because time is money. The more time you spend on insignificant tasks that are disrupting your focus and ultimately preventing you from scaling, the more your business will suffer. Founders can carry a lot of self-doubt and regret. Hindering your progress because you are getting distracted by unnecessary marketing strategies or short-lived social media trends is not worth the mental battle.

To take control of your time, take a step back and evaluate what is causing you to lose money or what your customers aren’t engaging in as much. Customers are the ones who direct your business and help make the decisions for you. Be upfront about your situation and dedicate the time saved by not doing meaningless tasks into something more productive. Whether it’s being active and going on a hike or setting down to read a book you’ve been meaning to finish.

Prioritise Like a CEO – Not an Employee

As a newbie start-up founder, it can be tricky at first to get out of the mindset of an employee. Taking charge of your own affairs is a big deal and your responsibilities can multiply in an instant once you’ve got off the ground. Delegate tasks, instil trust in your team so they can confidently carry out their duties without interference. Don’t be a bottleneck and let work overflow, implement a strategy by anticipating weaker months and plan ahead if you know work is going to pick up again. These minor practical steps can have dramatic effects and have helped me become a better delegator:

• Time Blocking: Allocate specific times for deep work, meetings, and admin to avoid distractions.
• Non-Negotiables: Identify the key tasks that must be completed daily and protect that time fiercely.
• The 80/20 Rule: Focus on the 20% of activities that generate 80% of results.
• From Reactive to Proactive: Plan the week in advance, set clear goals, and avoid getting caught up in unnecessary tasks.

Set Clear Boundaries

Outline your non-negotiables. What do you refuse to neglect in your routine? What or who keeps you motivated? What is your purpose? How do you envision the next 5 years of your business? Seek clarity in what you want out of your life and business. Be strict with your time and don’t be afraid to turn away opportunities that may not serve you yet. I am all about pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone, but sometimes our minds and bodies can demand us to have a break. Not every networking event or industry roundtable is going to get you that step further. Sure, the more you expose yourself to different leaders and companies the more traffic you’re likely to mobilise, but don’t think that you need to commit to everything because family time and time for your needs is imperative.

The Myth of ‘Being Busy’ vs. Being Productive

Many founders fall into the trap of equating long working hours with success. Being constantly busy doesn’t necessarily mean making meaningful progress—it often just means reacting to tasks rather than driving strategic goals. The most successful entrepreneurs focus on high-impact work rather than simply trying to do more. For meaningful change, founders should focus their time on tasks that directly contribute to business growth, such as strategy, partnerships, and innovation. Many waste time on admin, operational details, or tasks that can easily be outsourced. Delegating, automating, and eliminating low-value work allows founders to concentrate on what truly moves the needle.

Stick to a Schedule

Having a robust schedule that allows some flexibility is key to effective time management. Blocking days or hours for individual tasks helps condense the workflow and create a routine that everyone can adapt to. Whether you use technology or pen and paper, use the method that suits you and your team best and don’t overwhelm yourself with too many productivity tools that can have the opposite effect. Systemise and simplify. Devise repeatable processes for hiring, onboarding, sales, and operations so scaling doesn’t require you overseeing every detail.

Final Thoughts

Growth should not come at the expense of your sanity.

At the end of the day, mastering your time is about creating space for what truly moves the needle in your business and your life. It’s easy to get caught up in the grind—answering every email, jumping on every trend, saying yes to every opportunity. But the most successful founders know that saying no is just as powerful as saying yes. Time is your most valuable asset, and once it’s gone, you can’t get it back.

So, be intentional. Protect your calendar like you would your company’s bank account. Cut distractions, automate the repetitive, and focus on high-impact actions that push your business forward. The more control you have over your time, the more control you’ll have over your success.

And don’t forget—life isn’t just about business. Step away when needed. Go on that hike, read that book, spend time with people who matter. The sharper your mind, the stronger your business will be.

Deri has built over 20 companies of his own and firmly established himself as one of the leading experts on business strategy and extreme performance.