Are you working a "day job" while building your home-based "dream business"? Do you find it difficult to manage your time? Follow these seven tips to get more done growing your business, and have the time for other important things in your life, too.
(1) Make and use a 'to-do' list daily.
It's easy. Write down the tasks you need to do for today (or for tomorrow). Now, do them. Any that aren't done are placed at the top of tomorrow's list. Seeing that list at the end of the day with everything scratched-off is a great feeling.
(2) Schedule your time for the day.
Make note of your 'free time' (non-day job time) and set a block for each major thing that you need to do. Save the most involved tasks for your more fresh, alert time of day. Try your best to adhere to the schedule, but be flexible. Don't stress out when you run out of time and are off schedule. Over time you will know how much time a task will take to complete, and can plan for it better. Remember, this is only a tool for you to set time for what you need to do. It's not intended to have a negative affect on you, but it could if you don't be realistic.
(3) Do not disturb.
Make sure that your most productive, task-filled period is free from interruptions. Close your office door if you have to. Plan to use this work time when household distractions will be at a minimum. When the kids go to their grandparent's house. When your husband shoots pool with the guys. When the wife goes shopping. If you have to hang a sign on your office door, do it. You'll be surprised how much more you get done.
(4) Make time for the family.
Quality time with your family should not be sacrificed in order to build your home business. If you make time regularly for your spouse and kids, they will be able to deal with your 'no disturb' sign without feeling neglected. Don't be the parent that the kids never see.
(5) Take your work with you.
If your day job leaves you with slow periods when you do little or nothing, use this time to your advantage. Lunch breaks or smoke breaks can add up to some valuable time by the end of the week, too. Always carry the tools that you need to do your work with you. Don't go anywhere without a notebook and pen, and a small voice memo recorder. Be prepared.
(6) Automate tasks.
Computers and the internet allow you to automate certain tasks that were once time-consuming manual chores. Use autoresponders to deal with repetitive email questions and replies. Use modern accounting and word processing programs that are multi- featured. Use a list management service/program to make it easier to contact and follow-up with your prospects and clients.
(7) Time to relax.
Don't kill yourself trying to work a day job and build a home-based business at the same time. You need time to totally escape from your daily duties occasionally. Exercise is one of the best things you can do for yourself, while helping to manage stress. Don't sacrifice your health for business sake. Take that drive to the beach. Play basketball with your friends. Read that new mystery you've been wanting to read.
If you try, you'll see that it 'is' possible to solve "the time crunch". Be organized and know what your total work load includes. Maybe spend less time watching television, or on other useless activities. Don't forget your family. Even though you are working hard, make sure you are having fun. If you don't love what you are doing, don't do it.
Enjoying life is what it's all about. Right?
You bet.
About The Author
How do YOU get results online with little or no business experience? Get Ken Leonard Jr.'s new mini-course, "7 Ways To Beat The Competition", a smart first step for YOUR small business. End your frustration, get going in the right direction!
mailto:7waystobeattherest@kljonline.com
mailto:7waystobeattherest@kljonline.com
affordable house cleaning Wilmette ..Do your dishes really need to be dried, or could... Read More
Recently I was working with a new client who had... Read More
Whatever providence has in store for us tomorrow is not... Read More
Want to improve your time management?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker,... Read More
One of the most common complaints that small business owners... Read More
Today, it is hard to open an e-mail newsletter, a... Read More
Time management is absolute crucial nowadays where business decisions have... Read More
How many people do you know who are so busy... Read More
Hey - Did someone press the FFW button?Have you ever... Read More
Q. I have several projects going at once -- but... Read More
Time is inelastic. Despite what some of us persist in... Read More
In most organizations, meetings are often the biggest time-wasters. With... Read More
When do you want to make time for a networking... Read More
How do you know what's the best use of your... Read More
It's been said, "That no one has enough time yet,... Read More
So What Then Is The Opposite Of Procrastination? Urgency is... Read More
At Home? Keep related items together, for example the coffee... Read More
Work brings together people of different characters and behavior, and... Read More
"Time is what we need the most and what we... Read More
A year and a half ago I was introduced to... Read More
You can lose, damage or waste some things in life,... Read More
Does choosing which time we do an activity really make... Read More
There are times, when I am driving in my car... Read More
As a home-based, self-employed woman, mundane tasks can be as... Read More
Your time and energy are the two most precious gifts... Read More
quick home cleaning Northbrook ..Do you have plenty to do, but don't have enough... Read More
This past Friday I was asked to speak with a... Read More
Time management consultant Stephen Young claims that the average time... Read More
Most people want to start a home-based business to make... Read More
"How do you DO it?!" If I had a dime... Read More
Partnering with the University of Pennsylvania Law School and the... Read More
In this world there is something more precious than gold.... Read More
Time, time, time. It seems there is never enough of... Read More
"Slaves to the clock" was the cover story in the... Read More
How many of us are guilty of "Putting the cart... Read More
The techies could do a lot more to make our... Read More
Does choosing which time we do an activity really make... Read More
"TIME CANNOT BE 'MANAGED.' THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF TIME MANAGEMENT... Read More
Tring ? Tring the alarm rings?but did you fail to... Read More
Isn't it amazing that some people can produce huge results... Read More
"It's just been one of those days?I can't seem to... Read More
Everyday life can present us with opportunities to make us... Read More
One of the most challenging aspect in life is time... Read More
We are all born equal! We all have the same... Read More
I used to think video game addictions were a joke... Read More
All requests are not equal; all customers or clients are... Read More
Your productivity depends on good tools and effective environments, and... Read More
Whenever you have projects that can't be done in one... Read More
There are two types of time killers in everyone's life.... Read More
Riding the subway home yesterday, my typically silent car was... Read More
Time Management |