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
non-toxic cleaning company Winnetka ..The ability to be able to set priorities and deal... Read More
We are constantly inundated with routine (often boring!) tasks around... Read More
"Fashionably late" is no longer in fashion. In today's heavily... Read More
PROCRASTINATION: You've known about it since high school or college,... Read More
How many people do you know who are so busy... Read More
"How do you DO it?!" If I had a dime... Read More
Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number... Read More
A year and a half ago I was introduced to... Read More
One of the tried and true organization and time-management tools... Read More
We all know the harmful effects of overwork. People get... Read More
The concept of Mercury Retrograde is very well known even... Read More
In this world there is something more precious than gold.... Read More
Handle small emergencies fast: When a small emergency does pop... Read More
This is one more article on "Organizing and Enjoying Your... Read More
One of the biggest problems most people have when it... Read More
An appointment is simply a mutual agreement to meet with... Read More
There are two ways to start your day. The first... Read More
This past Friday I was asked to speak with a... Read More
"TIME CANNOT BE 'MANAGED.' THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF TIME MANAGEMENT... Read More
How much time do you spend on Mastering Your Time?... Read More
Here's a smart system for doubling or tripling your daily... Read More
In working with and coaching people across the country, one... Read More
Perhaps it is merely semantics, but an underlying problem I... Read More
It's amazing how many sayings there are in our culture... Read More
Too much to do, too little time, constant stress. Most... Read More
experienced cleaning professionals Glencoe ..It's 6:00 a.m. I'm awake. I'm pumped! I'm ready to... Read More
Many people want to be coached to manage their time... Read More
"It's just been one of those days?I can't seem to... Read More
An appointment is simply a mutual agreement to meet with... Read More
Goal Planning-Achieving balance in a person's life requires assessment of... Read More
Riding the subway home yesterday, my typically silent car was... Read More
To work smarter all you need is the consciousness of... Read More
Are you obsessed with getting everything just right? Do you... Read More
I have a habit of sending a thank you letter... Read More
In working with and coaching people across the country, one... Read More
Where does your time go? We all know we are... Read More
All requests are not equal; all customers or clients are... Read More
Everyday, in life, we are bombarded with 101 tasks that... Read More
PROCRASTINATION: You've known about it since high school or college,... Read More
Many of the clients I work with in success coaching... Read More
How much time do you spend on Mastering Your Time?... Read More
If you can regularly ask yourself "Am I regularly and... Read More
"Work smarter, not harder" is a clich? that has darted... Read More
There are so many books on Time Management published every... Read More
As each day passes, and more and more things need... Read More
Let's say that you have a software project that's under... Read More
So What Then Is The Opposite Of Procrastination? Urgency is... Read More
When I was small, I have never considered the importance... Read More
Many of us spend long hours at our desk. To... Read More
My job in Chicago began with three months of probation.I... Read More
Time Management |