Time Management for Your Home Business: 7 Ways to Win the
Time Crunch
by Ken Leonard Jr
Published on this site: October 15th, 2005 - See
more articles from this month
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 more time for other important things in your life, too.
- Make and Use a to do List Daily.
It's easy. Tonight, write down the tasks you need to do,
in order of importance (revenue generating tasks first),
on a 5x7 index card and tape it to your desk or computer.
Tomorrow, do them one at a time, starting at the top of
your list. Place any tasks that aren't completed at the
top of the next day's to do list before you go to sleep.
Seeing that list at the end of the day with everything (or
mostly everything) scratched off is a great feeling.
- Schedule Your Time For the Day.
Make note of your free time (non day job time) and schedule
a block for each major activity that you need to do. Save
the more involved tasks for the time of day when you are
fresh and alert. Try your best to adhere to the schedule,
but be flexible. Don't stress out when you run out of time
and get off schedule. Over time you will know how much time
a task will take to complete and will be able to plan for
it better. Remember, this schedule is only a tool for you to set aside 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.
- Do not Disturb.
Make sure that your most productive periods are 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 your 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.
- Make Time for Your 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 children, they will be able to deal
with your No Disturb sign without feeling neglected. Don't
be the parent that the kids never see.
- 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. Always carry the tools that you
need to do your work with you. Don't go anywhere without
your "idea notebook" and pen. Be prepared.
- Automate or Hire Out 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. Use modern accounting
and word processing programs that help you be organized
and save you time. Use a list management service/program
to make it easier to stay in contact with your prospects
and clients. Don't be afraid to hire out some of your most
time consuming tasks such as writing, proofreading and product
creation. The pros do it, and so can you.
- 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 and walk a mile. Play
basketball with your friends. Or just sit outside under
a tree and read that new mystery you've been wanting to
read. A clear head will do wonders for your productivity.
If you give it a try, you'll see that IT IS possible to solve
"the time crunch". Be organized and know what your
total work load includes. Think about spending 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. Because enjoying life is what it's all about, right?
You bet.
Ken Leonard Jr. Home Business Coaching... Are You A New
Online Marketer? Get Help For Your Biggest Problem... http://www.kenleonardjr.com
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