Archive for the ‘Business Time Management’ Category

Efficient Project Workforce Management & Communication

Wednesday, March 14th, 2012

What’s the point in all this documentation? Wouldn’t it be easier to achieve goals and ???objectives without all our time being sapped keeping capacity reports up to date? Unfortunately documentation is entirely essential, since tracking the progress of a project without this data is impossible. Imagine if a manager left; how would a replacement manager be able to pick up the project unless its status was accurately recorded? Mobile workforce management services mean that this data is always up to date, that staff can update their timesheet, capacity report or change log on the go, with all relevant parties updated immediately.

Efficient workforce management is all about co-ordinating the logistics of a project or business through a single channel or application. This can include planned and scheduled activities, project milestones, goals, objectives, resource allocation, revenue, capacity and costs. Mobile workforce management means more accurate, up-to-date records and improved communications. Historically businesses have relied heavily on reams and reams of paperwork and unwieldy spread sheets, but this is an unscalable system that could lead to a business becoming simply swamped in paperwork when business picks up.

Mobile workforce management applications mean that data is instantly updated and available to all. It means that top level monitoring is much easier to do, and the data provided is always up-to-date.

Staff might not enjoy filling out time sheets, but they are an essential way of managers tracking and reporting on capacity, completed tasks, milestones and the like. Time tracking is also an important way of staff accounting for their time at work, but entering data manually can be tedious, especially when it needs to be duplicated for other managers, departments or customers. Managing this data digitally means the most recently updated version can be viewed by all. Mobile workforce management means that everyone is up to date regardless of whether they are working from home, another office, out on secondment or even on a train or plane. Data records can be viewed, edited and copied instantly. It means progress and capacity reports are more accurate than ever, and the data itself is versatile and easy to obtain, edit, analyse and manage.

Mobile workforce management isn’t just about keeping track of resources and monitoring planned activities, it can also improve workforce communications. Mobile workforce management services can help to schedule and manage workload, report results instantly, perform safety check calls to remote workers and can help them to report incidents instantly.

If there’s no better reason to switch to mobile workforce management services it’s to save paper. Once again it’s a question of scalability. If you currently have two filing cabinets for existing customers, how will they cope with twice the number of customers? Workforce management procedures need to scalable and able to cope with these changes.

Alan Cairns writes on a number of subjects including mobile workforce management and mobile facilities management for GoMobilize.

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Business Time Management – Learning About the New and Powerful “Target” System

Saturday, August 7th, 2010

There are many kinds of different systems out there that can focus and target someone to be able to manage their time more efficiently.  In this article, the author talks about a new type a time management system called the target system which focuses on getting a handle on your time through  identifying target activities and ranking them then working from the highest rank on down.  The more productive they are, the higher they rank.  I feel that it is all really understanding your subconscious hidden agendas.  When those are gone, everything will automatically fall into place.  This is more of an outside fix to an inside problem.  But read on for more.

No question about it, everyone has been introduced to lots of time management tips. Many of the business time management systems have much to offer, however it seems that they lack in at least one area. For a system to be totally effective, the individual applying it must be certain that it is effective. They must be able to measure the results. The “target” system is designed for maximum measurable results.

First, visualize an archery target.

The target has the smallest circle in the center, (the bull’s eye), with concentric circles gradually getting larger around it. Hitting the bull’s eye is the objective as it produces the most points. As the circles move further from the center, they get larger and produce fewer points.

The activities that comprise the running of a business can be prioritized using an archery target model. Let us assume that the main goal of a business is maximum profitability. Each business will have core activities that most DIRECTLY affect profitability.

It is up to each business owner to identify these activities, as well as ALL the activities required to run the business. Make a list of all the activities.

Next, on a large erasable white board, draw an archery target. It should be plainly visible from your primary work space.

Take your list of all your business activities, and assign point values to them based on how closely they affect the profitability of the business. The points will be anywhere from 5 points for the most important activities, to 1 point for the least important.

You will assign ZERO points to non productive activities.

During your business day, each 30 minutes (approx) you will review the activity you are performing. You will walk up to the erasable board, and draw an arrow to the circle that provides the points you have just earned by performing the activity.

If you have performed a mix of activities, select the activity that you spent the most time on during that time block. The bull’s eye, for example, would earn you 5 points for that block of time.

Your daily objective is to earn more points than the previous day. If you manage to beat your daily scores for a week, be SURE to reward yourself!

This business time management system is SUPER powerful because it develops an acute, conscious awareness of what tasks you are performing throughout the day.

In a relatively short time, you will find yourself “naturally” performing more productive activities!

Keep a weekly total of your scores, and strive to beat the previous week.

My name is Mike Hutchins, widely known as the “action” business coach. I am the author of   ” The Alligator Syndrome “  which is an eBook guide that helps business owners overcome information overload and feelings of being overwhelmed, to finally create serious business profits. Get your FREE copy HERE.



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Business Time Management Tip – The Secret to Laser Sharp Focus

Wednesday, May 5th, 2010

Business time management focuses on the systems, and tools that business owners and entrepreneurs especially need to manage their time.  In this article the author discusses how to use the different time management strategies to allow the business owner to become much more efficient with their time.  Read on for more on this tip that can help keep the entrepreneur on track.

Trying to stay focused is a crucial skill involved with business time management. As busy as our high tech world has become, maintaining focus is becoming even more challenging. However, individuals who are successful, both professionally and personally, eventually learn the most important aspect of staying focused.

Most people, when starting a new task, can concentrate on the job initially. They are usually mentally fresh, and able to focus.

Unfortunately, they allow themselves to be distracted, Especially when they are mentally tired. These distractions are devastating, because once an individual is distracted, it takes a long time to regain focus.

The key to maintaining focus is to plan your work in “chunks” of time. Generally, these blocks of time range from 90 minutes to 3 hours depending on how much concentration is required.

Literally, put these time blocks in your day planner. While working during these times, you will allow no other activities to take place.

No personal phone calls, texting, reading email, surfing the Net etc.

At the same time that you schedule your blocks of work time, you also schedule your breaks. The key is to stick to the schedule until it becomes a habit and a regimen.

GOOD habits are as hard to break as bad habits. Generally it takes between 3-4 weeks to establish a habit.

Also, part of business time management is to plan your time away from work. Put that time on a calender, and TAKE THAT TIME OFF! By doing so, you will discover that when you return to work it will be MUCH easier to focus.

You will be mentally refreshed, and ready to focus!

Are you spending too much time at work? Do you need help in clarifying and focusing on your priorities, so you can work A LOT less and make more money?

My FREE eBook, The Alligator Syndrome, is making waves in the entrepreneurial community for helping stressed out business owners achieve maximum productivity and laser sharp focus! For your FREE download, GO HERE: http://actionbusinesscoach.blinkweb.com


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Make Use Of The Home Business Time Management Tips

Learning to master time management can make or break your home business. In the early days of your home business, you will still have a lot to learn and as you fill orders, work with customers and businesses; the hours can fly by very …

Publish Date: 04/23/2010

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Time Management Techniques In Business – Party Like a Rock Star

Tuesday, April 20th, 2010

This article “Business Time Management – How to Party Like a Rock Star and Still Have Time For Your Business” brings up some interesting points….  I am currently listening to the CD series “Your wish is your command” and one of the things it says is that if you believe it will take 20 hours of work a day to be successful, then that is what you will create for yourself.  I found this quite intriguing because those that are successful in business and can party like a rock star have a different belief set.  Maybe it’s time to really look at our belief systems.

Often times, particularly when you are an entrepreneur, you end up being a slave to your business. Typically, by the time a client comes to me for help, it has become a time consuming Albatross hanging around your neck. However, smart business owners have an “ace in the hole” when it comes to effective time management and having a “life”and a business, at the same time.

When an entrepreneur is starting a business, particularly an online business, they try to perform all the functions of the business themselves. This is normal and natural. When a business is small, and just starting, frequently one individual can handle all the tasks.

The problems arise as the business grows and becomes more involved and complicated. Many business owners still try and handle all the activities themselves. This creates a very tiring, stressful, and potentially damaging situation. Generally, in trying to do everything, the owner is forced to work LONG hours. In addition, many of the tasks that are important to the business, are either left undone, or are done ineffectively.

So, what is the solution to effective business time management?

The solution to handling a growing business is to delegate some of the activities to others. These functions could be delegated to additional employees, or independent contractors. The key is to identify which activities to delegate. Generally, the owner should continue the activities that are crucial to the core success of the business.

Less essential activities, which can often be time consuming, should be delegated to others. However, and this is CRUCIAL, the owner MUST take the required time to train the individual properly.

Too often, the owner will “whisk” the individual into the position without adequate training. An improperly trained worker is often WORSE than no worker at all! On the other hand, properly trained help can free up time for the owner to spend more time on crucial aspects of running the business, as well as allowing time for friends, family, and fun!

My name is Mike Hutchins, widely known as the “action” business coach. I am the author of ” The Alligator Syndrome ” which is an eBook guide that helps business owners overcome information overload and feelings of being overwhelmed, to finally create serious business profits. Get your FREE copy HERE.


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The Business Time Management Myth | BetterNetworker.com

As fast moving and complex as modern life has become, time management is a frequently discussed topic. It seems that every single day, a new “system” to manage time is introduced. However, the question becomes, “how effective are these …

Publish Date: 04/18/2010

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10 Time Management Tips For Small Businesses

Saturday, April 17th, 2010

If there is any group that can benefit from time management, it is the small business owner.  These entrepreneurs are constantly doing many things at once….  some of them are doing more than one business.  As a result, it is imperative that these business owners have a handle on their time management skills.  This small business time management article gives 10 tips that business owners can use to increase their efficiency and productivity.


“Just as a well-run business follows a budget in spending money, an effective business person should also follow a budget (or schedule) in spending time.”

Being a business owner myself, I wish I had more hours in my day. But time is always getting away from me, you know how it goes. Come into the office around 9 o’ clock and you check your email, voicemail, start looking over your planner to see what needs to be accomplished today and BOOM before you know it, it’s time for lunch. I have found these 10 tips to put time back into my day and I hope these will work for you as well.

1. Recognize you can do it all
We are only given 24 hours in a day. Time doesn’t change. Realize we can only manage ourselves and what we do with that time.

2. Figure out your time- wasters
We all fall victim to time wasters- Do you spend too much time surfing the net, reading email, making calls? By tracking these you can get a picture of what you REALLY do during your day.

3. Set time limits for all tasks
Once you have figured out what your time wasters are then set a limit to complete them and stick to it.

4. Develop routines and stick to them
You will be much more productive if you can follow these routines as much as possible.

5. Learn to Delegate
Delegation is hard for most business owners, but this skill is critical for businesses to succeed. You have to make this a priority if you’re going to do what you want to do and stay sane and happy.

6. Take advantage of “down-time”
Allow yourself some “down-time” between busy periods to look over your planner and reevaluate your priorities.

7. Stay Organized
Take time at the end of each day to organize your desk, inbox and emails. By doing so when you coming in the morning your desk will be clean. You will know what tasks need to be completed first and what emails to respond to.

8. Use the 80/20 Rule
The 80/20 rule is “80% of your success comes from 20% of your efforts.” So as a small business owner you will want to figure out where YOUR most profitable 20% is and spend the majority of your time there.

9. Keep your “to-do” list short
Have no more that eight items on your list. Remember this is a “daily” to – do list, as you complete tasks check them off and you will have a feeling of accomplishment.

10. Have you hired a Virtual Assistant?
My number one tip for small business owners is to partner with a Virtual Assistant. There are a number of administrative tasks that a VA can take care of for you on an ongoing basis so you, the business owner can spend more time with clients.

Wise Virtual Solutions is a top notch virtual assistant firm that aims to help busy business owners worldwide reduce stress while saving you time and money. We offer online support and social media assistance.

http://www.wisevirtualsolutions.com


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Jobs & Business | Time Management Guidelines That Will Help you

Divide each project into small pieces. Every project can be broken sown to small steps. Go ahead and wring a list of tasks that you need to get done in order to complete your project. This way it will be easier to allocate time frames …

Publish Date: 04/17/2010

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Time Management Techniques in Business – Efficiency Tools

Friday, March 26th, 2010

This article discusses good techniques to use in your business to manage your time.  Time is the one thing that you can’t make more of…. kind of like land.  So it is all about taking what you do have and becoming much more efficient with it.  It is really about being honest with where you spend your time as well.  24 hours is a lot to be able to get things done.  If we are focused on our goals, then the rest naturally falls into place.  In any case, the same works for business as well.  The time management techniques in business are also really about being efficient with your time.  What is your time worth?  Anything that you do that doesn’t make at least what you can earn, should be farmed out.  In any case, read on for more about this topic.


Why is Time Management Important? Why should we recognize that time is a gift? Because the most major difference between the prosperous and the poor is the valuing of time. When driving through a ghetto one might see healthy men and women sitting outside on the steps simply talking for hours. There would be garbage strewn about and disorder would be rampant. They’ve chosen to invest their time talking while the prosperous are hard at work.

A major difference exists between the poor, the pauper and the prosperous. That difference is the management of time. You must be persuaded concerning the value of time if you intend on changing your financial worth. 24 hours each day are given to the poor. And 24 hours each day are given to the rich. Both are given the same gift from God…24 hours a day. Each and every person has received the same amount of time. The outcome relies on how you choose to invest your time.

Here is your time management lesson plan:

  • You will find that anything significant in your life will require the investment of time.
  • It’s possible to increase the mistakes in your life when hurrying too much.
  • Investing time in preparation will abundantly multiple your reward.
  • Every time you make an appointment with someone your attitude toward time is revealed. Not only does precision communicate your respect for time but punctuality extends the message that time matters to you.
  • It is your responsibility to train those around you to respect your time. You do so by respecting their own time as well.
  • It will always require the investment of time to execute a successful negotiation. Those who overcome the temptation to hurry…always control the transaction.

Now let’s go over a few time management techniques in business.

  1. It is of the utmost importance to keep a list of your goals in front of you at all time. What you see will determine what you pursue.
  2. It is important to establish a time limit for each appointment or goal. Instead of saying “I will see you around 2:00?, set the appointment for 2:00 – 2:20. Precision electrifies any environment.
  3. Be in constant forward motion toward your next appointment or goal.
  4. Be sure to mark those who consistently disrespect your time. When someone does not respect your time they will not respect your wisdom either.

Why is time management important?…When you recognize that time truly is a gift you will learn to manage it wisely. Your productivity will multiple, your financial worth will increase and every moment of your relationships will be more valuable.

For more free techniques in business visit www.MlmDownlineSecrets.com

What is Time Management? Discover our innovative Time Management Techniques and how to get more done in less time while increasing your business profits.


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Time Management for Small Business Owners | Blair Stover

It’s no secret that time and money are important in business. Ironically, many small business owners do notat know how to spend their time wisely. This results.

Publish Date: 03/26/2010 10:54

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Time Management For the Young Entrepreneur

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

In this article, the author discusses the time management for the entrepreneur that is starting out.  What I like is the way the time is described, which works very well for business professionals.  You are basically dividing your time between activities that generate revenue, and those that don’t.  In this way, you can really get a handle on where you should be spending your time to reach your goals.  From here, you can determine what tasks you need to outsource first as well.  Read on for more on this type of time management strategy.


The Action Machine – Get More Done And Quit Spinning Your Wheels!


The Article:

Time Management is a very popular topic. For a human construct, time certainly has created a groundswell of interest. Research tells us that more people go to workshops and seminars to learn how to make the most of every moment than any other topic. Explore any bookshop or search the Web and you’ll find more information about time management than any other topic. I believe that true entrepreneurs operate according to a different time management model than others. Read on.

Most entrepreneurs have progressed through two economies-the ‘Time-and-Effort Economy’ and the ‘Results Economy’. Through the latter, entrepreneurs eventually and inevitably arrive at an entrepreneurial system of time management.

The ‘Time-and-Effort Economy’ is familiar to most of us. Its central feature is something called a ‘job’. Most people had one at some stage or another. The time-and-effort economy has a very effective time system. It’s called the Bureaucratic Time System and it consists of work hours, work days, work weeks. It’s been in operation for about 200 years and it was designed to make sure that people turned up to work, did their jobs, and went home. And after 65 years of doing this, they retired-they had to, they were worn out. They’d given their best years to their job and then it was time to get ready for the appearance of the Grim Reaper, which, in the 1930s, was about 18 months after retirement.

At some stage along the way, some people review their progress and say, ‘Wait a minute, I can do better myself.’ Entrepreneurs are born. These people are prepared to live by the code that they get paid for their own unique talents and payment occurs only when they add value to a service offering. Those who are not prepared to take the considerable risk involved remain adherents to the Bureaucratic Time System and opt to climb the promotional ladder, opt out, or continue along a path of their choosing.

As entrepreneurs continue their development, they realize that the Bureaucratic Time System that previously satisfied them no longer meet their needs. If they’re lucky, their search leads them to the Entrepreneurial Time System.

There are only three kinds of time you can have.
1. FREE TIME
2. FOCUS TIME
3. BUFFER TIME.

Free Time is exactly what it says. It’s your time to do with as you please-read a book, go fishing, spend quality time with your loved ones, etc. Free Time is no mobile phone, no work-related reading, no ‘shop talk’. The moment you allow a workplace interruption, your Free Day has ended. If you’re going to include Free Time in your calculations, it must come off the top. You must organize your Free Time, first. Some entrepreneurs organize their Free Time years in advance and are very reluctant to change this allocation because they see that they ‘grow’ during Free Time.

You’ll probably have about 100 Focus Days-a-year. These are the days when you’re focused on your key fee-generating tasks. You could be on assignment somewhere or office-bound working on a specific project. Those who know you will know that you can’t be interrupted during your Focus Day.

Buffer Days allows you to have Focus Days. On these days you are not held accountable for earnings. Most people, it seems, spend their whole working life having Buffer Days-a little bit of Free Time, a little bit of Focus Time, and a little bit of Buffer Time.

Old habits die hard; that’s why this article targets young entrepreneurs. Changing from a Bureaucratic to an Entrepreneurial Time System is something young entrepreneurs will find easier to do than others. There remains just one question that needs to asked. What specifically is it that you’re doing when you’re operating in an Entrepreneurial Time System? Those activities will be addressed in another article.

Dr Neil Flanagan knows heaps about successful management and managing. He has separated the practical ideas of management know-how from its entangling theory and jargon and made it available to you @ http://www.management2go.com And while you’re there, download a FREE gift, a FREE e-Topic, and sign-up for a regular newsletter that will link you to a worldwide network of people just like you. If you’d like more information about issues raised in this article, go to http://www.management2go.com/products/Start-Your-Own-Business.html


So what are your ideas on Time Management?  What tips and tools do you use as a business owner to make the most out of the time you have? Leave a comment below.

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Time Managment Training – A Necessary Investment or A Waste of Money

Friday, December 26th, 2008

This article gives an interesting perspective on time management training and some of the numbers involved with such type of training. It comes down to the how much is an hour of time worth for each employee and how much time they will save through the training. I think that if you have better systems in place, a lot of that time management will take care of itself, because it will eliminate redundant tasks and having to do things over again and idle time because people are waiting on things

Many organizations view time management training as something they’ll spend their money on, only if they have to. Usually when pruning the company or department budget, training is often the first area that gets the chop. And yet can you really afford not to?

Here’s what Dr. Donald Wetmore a Time Management Specialist from the U.S. recently said in the on-line e-zine Activepro…

Training is not a cost it’s an investment
‘It really doesn’t matter what we pay for an investment. What’s relevant is what we get in return. One of the best ways to jeopardize an organization’s future in today’s world and increase the probability of troubled times it to look at training as a cost and pay the price of not training or provide substandard training that operates only as a bandaid for the training requirements.

A person being paid $50,000 per year who is wasting just one hour per day is costing the organization $6,250 per year. If through one of our Time Management Seminars that person can learn how to recapture just one hour per day, that translates into a payback to the organization of $6,250 per year!

If there is a group of 25 people, the return to the organization is $156,250 per year! That doesn’t even include other benefits like profitability, reduced turnover, improved morale, enhanced teamwork, greater creativity etc.)
Over 5 years, the payback is $781,250. What would your organization invest to achieve that return and payback?

Not so many years ago, training was an option for most organisations. Today it is no longer an option. If any of us continue to do what we do the same way, within five years most of us will become obsolete. Why? Because our competitors are helping their people to become more effective through training.
If we look closely at companies who are doing well in the long run, they almost always have a well thought out training program in place
They realize the price for not training is the real expense of training’.

The most important training or knowledge enhancement you can offer to your employees is in the personal development area. Effective time management is a life skill which affects us all. Depending on how skillful we are at managing our time it can have a major impact on the whole of our life. Our skill levels in this area can greatly benefit us or cause us to be constantly stressed out.

Training is a life long endeavor. It has to be ongoing. Life changes constantly and so do our needs and those of our people, the no. 1 asset in every business. Time Management training is crucial for it’s when we learn to use our time effectively that we get so much more done in our lives.

Lorraine Pirihi is Australia’s Personal Productivity Specialist and Leading Life Coach. Her business The Office Organiser specializes in showing small business owners and managers, how to get organized at work so they can have a life! Lorraine is also a dynamic speaker and has produced many products including “How to Survive and Thrive at Work!”

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Taking Time Out For Your Business

Sunday, December 7th, 2008

This article discusses the benefit of taking time out from the day to day tasks to actually work on your business. That metaphor of sharpening the saw, so you can be more efficient and effective at what you do. It is also important to take personal time so you can keep allow your imagination and creativity give you solutions that will

As a business owner, wouldn’t it be great if you could take time off whenever you needed to? Unfortunately, most small business owners worry that the business will fall apart if they’re not there to mind the store. Too often, they simply lack the appropriate resources for their business to keep going in their absence.

“Taking time off is as important as food,” says Charles Tuttle, leader of a group of entrepreneurs in North Carolina. Don’t worry if this statement raises a red flag for you. Although taking time off can be especially challenging and downright impossible sometimes, it’s important to know that you can do something to make it happen. It takes deliberate work on your part and here are a few simple ideas to get you started.

Find a way to make work fun. If your work is stressful, build in laughter to ease the stress and tension. Take frequent breaks to stretch or breathe if you’re sitting all day. Fun makes the passing of the day more enjoyable. Try it and watch your fabulous day unfold!

Take leisure time in smaller chunks. Look at opportunities to journal, meditate or read between appointments and activities. It may seem pointless but it goes a long way in developing your time management skills while caring for your need to unplug. Tap into a little bit of spare time in your productivity process. It’s a great way to balance the scales in your favor!

Plan personal time on your calendar. Your calendar reflects your commitment to priorities or what’s important in your life. Typically, if you set aside the time on your calendar, you will observe it. Plan, then act to ensure you’re creating plenty of break time and doing something important in your life. You’ll have a greater sense of integrity and accomplishment at the same time.

Consider taking time off on a weekday. Who said you can only have fun on the weekends? Take time off in the middle of the week or even at the beginning! You’ll be surprised at how imaginative you’ll become while creating your fun time.

Identify unconventional ways to take time off. Time off may mean snuggling on the couch in your favorite bathrobe. It may also mean turning the ringer on the phone off, turning the TV and radio off or going to a park to feed the ducks. Your assignment (should you choose to accept it) is to get away from your business – whatever that means for you. Most entrepreneurs are in business because it offers freedom and flexibility so learn to capitalize on it!

Acknowledge yourself weekly for your accomplishments. What you do is hard work so pat yourself on the back for it! Select rewards that nurture and care for you like a facial, manicure, massage or other spa treatment. Treat yourself to a movie or read a good book. The more you acknowledge your progress, the more you’ll enjoy the journey!

Reward yourself for completed projects. You deserve a reward for completing the big projects in your business. Accordingly, let the reward match the milestone you reach when you complete a project. Plan a day trip, weekend getaway, or seven-day cruise. Whatever you enjoy, these are moments to treasure. Establish your reward at the beginning of the project so you’ll have an incentive to motivate to move you forward.

These are a few simple ideas to help you practice taking time off from your business. Remember, whether you’re just starting, squeezing a few moments out here and there or in full throttle, taking time off is good not only for you. It’s great for your business, too!

Wendy Y. Bailey is a Personal and Business Coach with Brilliance In Action, a professional coaching business that helps women entrepreneurs, business owners and business professionals blend their personal and business lives successfully.

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How To Reorganize Your Time To Accommodate A Home-Based Business

Tuesday, September 25th, 2007

This time management article is similar to the previous article because it talks about planning as the main ingredient to time management. Focus on those tasks that are most important to you during the day, and leave the ones that don’t take you to your goals for the day. Again, the next good article would be a follow up with long term planning as a long term time management strategy and lifestyle.

Almost everyone needs or wants more money coming in, and with this desire most would like to start some sort of extra income-producing project. The trouble is, not many of these people seem able to fit “a second job” into their time schedules.

It’s true that most people are busy, but extra time for some sort of home-based extra income-producing project can almost always be found. It may mean giving up or changing a few of your favorite pastimes – such as having a couple of beers with the guys or watching TV – but if you score big with your extra income project, you will have all the time you want for doing whatever you want to do.

The first thing to do is to sit down with pencil and paper and list your daily schedule. What time do you wake up? Then step-by-step, list everything you do each day. Most people will find that they have about three hours each day that can be utilized in a more constructive or efficient manner. As we’ve noted above, you may have to give up the time you waste in your local pub or a few television programs you watch, but it will be worth it in the long run.

Efficient time management boils down to planning what you’re going to do, and then doing it without backtracking. Start by making a list of the things you want to do tomorrow, each evening before you go to bed. Schedule your trips to the store or wherever to coincide with the other things you have to do, and with your trips to or from work. Organize your trips to take care of as many things as possible while you’re out of the house. Take stock of the time you spend standing around shooting the breeze – especially the time you spend on the telephone – and eliminate all that isn’t necessary.

Whatever chores you have to do at home, set aside a specific time to do them, and a specific amount of time to devote to them. For instance, just one hour a day devoted to yard work would probably make your property the envy of all your neighbors. Don’t try to do a week’s work in one big flurry. Whether it’s painting your house, fixing leaky faucets, or mowing your lawn and trimming your shrubs, do a part of it, or one particular job each day, and you’ll be amazed at your progress.

Take care of all your mail the day you receive it. Don’t let those bills and letters pile up on you. If you’re unable to pay a bill immediately, file it in a special place that’s visible, and note on the envelope the date you intend to pay it. Answer your letters the same day you get them.

The important thing is to think of time as your most valuable asset, because it is. So organize! Decide what you have to do, and what you want to do. From there, it’s just a matter of arranging priorities.

Once you start listing and planning what you want to do, and then carry out your plans, you’ll find plenty of “extra time” for handling virtually any kind of home-based income-producing project. People in general may not like routines or schedules, but without some sort of plan as to what is supposed to be done, the world would be mired in mass confusion.

Laws, ordinances and regulations are for the purpose of guiding people. We live according to an accepted plan or way of life, and the better we can organize ourselves, the more productive and happy we become.

The secret of all financially successful people is simply that they are organized and do not waste time. Think about it. Review your own activities, and then see if you can’t find a couple of extra hours in each day for more constructive accomplishments.

When you begin planning, and then when you really become involved in an extra in come-producing endeavor, you should work it exactly as you have organized your regular day-to-day activities – on a time-efficient basis. Do what has to be done immediately. Don’t try to get done in an hour something that’s realistically going to take a week. Plan out on paper what you have to do – what you want to do – and when you are going to do it. Then get right on each project without procrastination.

Finally, and above all else, when you’re organizing your time and your business, be sure to set aside some time for relaxation. Be sure to schedule time when you and your spouse can be together. You must not involve yourself in anything to an extent that you exclude other people – particularly your loved ones – from your life.

Taking stock of the time you waste each day, and from there, reorganizing your activities is what it’s all about. It’s a matter of becoming more efficient in the use of your time. It’s really easy to do, and you will not only accomplish a lot more, you will also find greater fulfillment in your life.

Copyright © Kevin Purfield

Kevin Purfield owns the Wealth System Online Resource Directory where you can find everything you need to start,run and grow a home based internet business at: http://www.wealthsystemonline.com/pluginprofits.htm

kpurfield@wealthsystemonline.com

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