“If I only had five more hours in my day, I could get everything done.” How many times have you said this?

In today’s digital age, distractions are just an arm’s length away. Digital distractions as well as regular every-day distractions make it incredibly difficult for the busy entrepreneur to stay focused and productive.

As most business people know, daily tasks are overwhelming and often unending. Add in the constant phone calls, iPhone notifications and numerous interruptions, and it’s easy to see how people get sidetracked from the business at hand.

To help you save time in your ultra-busy schedule and avoid the constant barrage of disruptions, here are five iPhone productivity hacks for entrepreneurs.

Hack #1: Turn Off Your Notifications

Turn them off. Now. This eliminates a plethora of interruptions and makes any entrepreneur more productive. In fact, we may go as far as to say that notifications are your #1 enemy when it comes to productivity.

Studies show it can take over 23 minutes for you to get back to your original task after the notification first distracted you. Just imagine how many “sets” of 23 minute interruptions you have on a daily basis. Those interruptions quickly add up to lost hours and eventually lost days.

Now, we know some of you can’t imagine turning off your iPhone’s notifications. After all, you may be expecting something important. For those of you who don’t want to completely disable notifications, try this work-around – set your phone to Do Not Disturb. For example, if you’re working under a deadline, set it for a bit longer than you need to ensure you get your work done.

Hack #2: Start a To-Do List

With so many things to do, the life of an entrepreneur is a major balancing act. It’s important to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. Plus, there’s nothing more satisfying than checking tasks off your list. 

If your to-do list is currently on paper, or should we say, scraps of paper, then Finish is just the app for you.   It’s easy to add tasks, and once completed, just swipe over the to-do item, tap the checkmark icon, and it shows you’re done. Finish also automatically archives your completed tasks for easy reference. 

Get: Finish

Hack #3: Manage Your Notes

Evernote provides you the perfect place to take notes. From short lists to research, Evernote keeps you focused. Your productivity increases as you take your ideas from inspiration, to development and on to completion.

With Evernote, you can clip web articles, capture handwritten notes, and snap photos while keeping track of everything and sharing it with whomever you choose.

Get: Evernote

Hack #4: Use a Keyboard and the Microphone

Did you know you can hook up an Apple wireless keyboard or a Bluetooth keyboard to your iPhone for easier typing? This increases your productivity as it turns your iPhone into a “mini” laptop.

Alternatively, you can use the microphone to dictate text messages. When you need your hands for other tasks, take advantage of this feature to compose multiple texts without a keystroke.

Hack #5: Track Your Time

If you need to track and manage your time or keep tabs on your employees, Time Tracker is a great app to increase your productivity. You or your employees can clock in and out on their iPhone as well as any computer – it can even be done through text messaging and dialing in. Plus, Time Tracker enables GPS tracking, too. This is one hack worth checking out.

Get: Time Tracker

One Last Bit Before You Go

Take advantage of Siri. She can help you organize your day, update your calendar and guide you when you’re on the road. There are also a number of other iPhone hacks that are inherent in your iPhone. Consider location reminders, your calendar and your alarm. Use these to help you organize your day, and soon you’ll be a pro at using iPhone productivity hacks to increase your entrepreneurial success! 

Want to increase your productivity without wearing your hands out from continuously holding your iPhone? Give your hand and wrist a break. Take advantage of our great system. Get more out of your iPhone with the Proper Tilt Stand. It positions your phone at the perfect height and angle for effortless use. 

Image: Omar Jordan Fawahl