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
Chicago limo Skokie .."The bad news is time flies. The good news is... Read More
Do you believe that the best way to deal with... Read More
Goal Planning-Achieving balance in a person's life requires assessment of... Read More
Time management is absolute crucial nowadays where business decisions have... Read More
There are two types of time killers in everyone's life.... Read More
"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, snow... Read More
What keeping time really means is...being on time!You know, there... Read More
Do you feel guilty about all the publications you purchase... Read More
Recently I saw an advertisement for a time management booklet:... Read More
Still awaiting the birth of my baby (I am overdue),... Read More
Q. I have several projects going at once -- but... 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
It's amazing how many sayings there are in our culture... Read More
If you're like most people, you want to get better... Read More
Want to improve your time management?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker,... Read More
We all know the harmful effects of overwork. People get... Read More
If I had a dollar or even better a pound... Read More
Time is inelastic. Despite what some of us persist in... Read More
Procrastination, the habit of putting tasks off to the last... Read More
Many organisations view time management training as something they'll spend... Read More
We live in a world where more is expected of... Read More
My job in Chicago began with three months of probation.I... Read More
Zak is my three-year old godson. He is the apple... Read More
Recently I've experienced a barrage of time wasters. Everything you... Read More
limo O'Hare Bonfield ..Time, time, time. It seems there is never enough of... Read More
"At my back I always hear time's winged chariot hurrying... Read More
We all know the harmful effects of overwork. People get... Read More
Increased productivity, the ability to get more value for our... Read More
Work brings together people of different characters and behavior, and... Read More
If you can motivate yourself at will to get any... Read More
Why waste your precious time working on tasks, which are... Read More
You can use the Power of 90 Seconds to transform... Read More
Whenever you have projects that can't be done in one... Read More
One of the issues most often raised by my clients... Read More
Let's look at your time management skills. Most of us... Read More
What does it mean to practice self care? It's creating... Read More
There are two ways to start your day. The first... Read More
Time is our greatest and most precious asset. Time is... Read More
In this digital age, the importance of being able to... Read More
Almost everyone in business knows the balancing act between the... Read More
Riding the subway home yesterday, my typically silent car was... Read More
When you decide to become self-employed, you automatically become the... Read More
At Home? Keep related items together, for example the coffee... Read More
How many times have you remarked to someone that there... Read More
?busy, busy, busy, busy, busy?busy, busy, bus? OK, slap me... Read More
Despite the best of intentions, most of us don't use... Read More
If I had a dollar or even better a pound... Read More
Years ago clients would tell me they could not identify... Read More
Number Yourself: Count yourself as an important individual. You are... Read More
Time Management |