Time management.
It’s something everyone struggles with at some point in their lives. It really can creep up and be a problem when you are seeking to run a business from your home.
We are only given so much time and we never get it back. So the question is, how can we best utilize the time we have?
Here are a few simple steps to maximize and make the best use of your time. It’s amazing how some of the little things suck hours of time instead of getting to the office, doing what we need to do and get out.
1. Keep all your passwords in one place.
Don’t waste time looking for these. It’s not unusual for people to spend 10 minutes or longer just looking for a password. Get Roboform if need be. It’s a couple bucks and you’re set.
2. Turn stuff OFF when you’re working.
Turn the phone OFF, Log out of your Email, Turn OFF your IM and SKYPE when you are working on things that don’t require those. Your work time should be so focused that you can get in and it out and get it done swiftly.
3. Do something to get out of breathe every day.
Studies have shown that if we don’t get exercise regularly to the point we are out of breathe every day, we will feel mild and constant human neurosis depression. We will surf the internet, check email for 3 hours, stuff like that. Do short mini bursts of activity, such as 20 jumping jacks, or running in place for 3 minutes, just something to physically engage our lungs to get oxygen to our brains. This will perk up our brains.
4. Forget the REACTIVE business activities
- things like checking email every 20 minutes to see if a new lead came in. Or checking your Adwords campaign every hour . . . this is like dissecting a dead frog.
Have a PROACTIVE business. Be focused so hard on moving forward that you don’t have time to check your emails and campaigns every hour. Have a task, complete your task and go enjoy your day. Crank out webinars, articles, capture pages, videos, experiment with active marketing.
When you do that properly, some reactive activities becomes necessary because you have so many leads coming in and people joining you, you are checking your email more often.
Do high production things. To not do high production activities is equivalent to the farmer standing there watching a barren field, waiting for growth instead of getting out there and planting seeds.
5. Make a “to do” list.
Either the night before or first thing in the morning, make it a doable list of things you want to accomplish in your business that day. Begin to chunk it out at your scheduled time to work. At the end of the day you will have something tangible to see how productive you were.
6. Keep a calendar.
Keep track of important events and things that have to be done for the family, then schedule your work time in. Try and stick to your schedule as best as possible. If you take the time you set aside as you run a business from your home just as serious as if you had to be at a job for the same time frame, you’ll become more and more disciplined to report for work and get things done.
7. Evaluate the time you’re already spending.
Look at all your activities and things you do every day and every week. Is there anything you can stop doing or outsource?
Can you bring in a housekeeper once a week?
Can you hire out the yard work?
Can you hire out the washing of your car?
Can you hire out your ironing?
Can you make one trip to the grocery for the week instead of two?
Can you hire an after school tutor or caretaker to help with the kids?
Can you excuse yourself from some of the volunteer activities for which you just couldn’t say no?
I bet if you took a look at everything you do, you would be able to find a few things that you can scratch off your list so that time can now be dedicated toward your business goals or downtime that you need for personal development and growth.
TIP FOR PARENTS WITH AGE APPROPRIATE CHILDREN:
I’ve observed many parents with children of very capable age just goofing around while the parents are doing all the work. Perhaps you’d like to engage your children in taking on more responsibility for the home and yard. It’s good for them and as your business grows, share the rewards and do something fun as a family.
SUMMARY: When you can come into your office (office space within your home) with a burst of good brain waves, focused in a wealth producing environment, you can be creative, get what you need done, done and get out. Just doing these small things will increase your wealth and decrease the time it takes doing it.
[...] tips for Time Management Social [...]
[...] been doing a series on Time Management as it’s a key factor in getting nothing done when you run a business from your home. With [...]