If you feel like you work constantly but can't seem to catch up, you might stand to benefit from some new time management techniques. Entrepreneur John Rampton says many business leaders fall into some common time management traps that leave them stressed and flustered. In this issue of Promotional Consultant Today, we highlight these typical mistakes and how to avoid them.

1. Denying you have a time management problem. Instead of saying that you don't have enough time to complete your commitments, admit that you need to get better at managing your time. Start experimenting with techniques that will help you reach your goals.

2. Failing to plan your day. Whether you use a calendar app or jot down a detailed to-do-list, planning out your day gives you structure so you aren't scrambling to figure what's next, notes Rampton.

3. Letting the urgent overtake the important. Distinguishing "urgent" from "important" is a challenge for most professionals. How can you put out a fire when you're on your way to a client meeting?

4. Improper delegation. Rampton advises professionals to be aware of what's going on but check their ego at the door. Always delegate the right tasks to the appropriate people.

5. Having to wake up early. Plan out your day's to work on your most important tasks when you have the most energy and focus. If your peak is at sunset, that's when you should block out the time to focus on your most important tasks. It's a much better strategy than fighting against your body's internal clock.

6. Being inflexible. No matter how well planned you are, you will get interrupted. That's why it's crucial that your calendar has some flexibility, says Rampton.

7. Being perfect. We all strive to deliver quality work, but constantly aiming for perfection is unrealistic. Often the pressure we put on ourselves to be perfect leads us to pressure other people about their issues. It's not worth it.

8. Over and under-committing time. It's not always easy to determine how long it will take you to finish a task, but usually it takes longer than you think it will. The best idea is to keep a time log for at least a week to see how you spend your time.

9. Cleaning your workspace daily. A little clutter is okay and may even spark your creativity. That's why Rampton suggests that professionals clean and organize their desk at the end of the week rather than every day. It's a way to end the week on a high note.

10. Working nonstop. Force yourself to take a break, unplug and get some exercise. Get a standing desk and move it up and down a couple of times a day. Walk while participating in a phone meeting—anything helps.

11. Never finding a time management style that suits you. Experiment with various time management techniques until you find the system that works best for you. It will take some trial and error but until you effectively manage your time, you'll constantly battle the clock.

If you haven't quite mastered how to manage your time, try the tips above to make the most of each day.

Source: John Rampton is an entrepreneur, investor and startup enthusiast. He is founder of the calendar productivity tool Calendar.