Time keeps on slipping… slipping… slipping… into the future
The lyrics to that old Steve Miller song always seem especially appropriate when you’re trying to get a new online business off the ground. There’s so much to be done, and only 24 hours in a day to get everything accomplished.
In our next issue of Marketing Tips Report, we’re going to share our top 5 time-saving tips with you — so if you find you’re struggling to get things done in the time you’ve got, make sure you watch out for it!
In the meantime, we want to know:
How big a problem is time management for you? Do you find yourself at the end of each day wishing you could have accomplished more than you did? Or are you a master of “getting things done?”
If you have any brilliant tips on how to get more things done in the time you’ve got, tell us about them! We always love to hear what you’ve got to say…
(2 votes, average: 4.5 out of 5)
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I WISH I had some good time saving ideas to share! I have such big dreams about owning my own business and getting out of the rat race but Im a single mom and I have a lousy full-time job and 3 kids to take care of. So where do I find the time to get anything done? Help!
OK this has nothnig to do with marketing, just wanted to say that man I love that song!! Makes me remember my salad days, hah hah.
This is one of the hardest things that I found with the combination of not only working from home (and no boss standing over you) but also being online constantly.
I solved this by keeping a track of exactly how much time I spent on each task and then at the end of the day reviewing what I acheived.
I was also looking for a way to use my work time more wisley and manage my multiple projects more effectivly and came across a very affordable time management software tool called Achieve Planner.
I’m in the process of starting a new website, taking a college course and working. One of the things was for me…an alarm. I give myself a set amount of time to work at a particular project (or part of one) and set the amount of time I am willing to spend on it. Also, it helps me to remember to get up and stretch.
I saved time by teaming up with a billion dollar company for $29.95 to get a family member off my back. I’m pretty new and I’ve made about $4,000.00 part time so far. If you have like 2 hours a day and seriously if that. I am a church TV Producer and a Christian and no company is worth my soul. So I started a site because of a cause. check out my site getyourselfbetter .com USA and Canada. God bless you either way in all the businesses you try. I can send you a you tube video if you like also. Janice
I use several techniques. (1) divide the thing to be done into small “bits” and do a “bit” at a time, possibly even spread throughout the day, especially if it is a unliked job to do. For example, if you have to make a sales call to someone, the several parts are: (a) look up the number and write it down (b) list the top 3 points to make to the person and the outcome wanted (c) if the person is one contacted previously, check if there are any special points to remember (from your tickler file) (d) dial the number. The first three items a – c are not threatening but by the time you have done them, you are already prepared for (d), which is the most difficult but which is thought to be the whole job!
(2) reward yourself for achieving “core” work. To keep a house or a business or even yourself “running”, there are several core things that have to be done each day. For instance, some people find it hard to get up, washed and dressed in the morning. This is a “core” item that is necessary before you can start work! Use a motivation chart and award yourself a sticker or use a written symbol. Award points for each symbol and turn them into a SMALL cash reward. I have used this for exercise, such as climbing 6 flights of stairs at work, reducing waste, by remembering to use a shopping bag, instead of plastic bags, etc.
(3) if you have a large project, use the swiss cheese technique to “poke holes” in it. This is where a timer can come in handy. Set your timer for 10 or 15 minutes and work at it until the beep goes off. Have a rest, then reset the timer. It works for children’s homework too.
One key element to business is your process of conducting business. If you sell returnable items, what is your process to receive an item back? Most issue an RMA and when it hits the door, they fumble around and sometimes it gets lost into the shuffle because they don’t have a good process in place. How is it received, what happens next. Scanned into a computer or just entered by hand? Is there an automatic credit issued if refunding? Many things to think about but a detailed process of every aspect of your business can make a hug difference of time being saved. Also, everyone in your business should know each process as well as the owner. This allows more vacations. Smiles
I know the feeling …
The only way to save time is to leverage it. By that I mean hiring help. Trying to do everything yourself is going to cost you a lot more in the long run.
OK – I appreciate that maybe for a lot of people paying someone is not an option. But that doesn’t stop you having a deal with people who can help you does it?
You could offer them a percentage in return for work in advance. Obviously you don’t go up to strangers …
You could approach a web designer who is giving away a load of free templates and ask them if they could do a custom change for you in return for free advertising on your site or blog.
Changing a website template for example will not take a decent web designer long – providing you’re being realistic of course. You may have to contact a few but someone will agree to do it. It’s worth a try.
So why not draw up a list of all the tasks that are taking up your time or more importantly you dislike doing!
And then spending an hour each day finding someone to help. A week at that should free your time up and you can concentrate on stuff you enjoy doing!
Unfortunately starting any new business takes time. There’s no getting away from it. Some business are a lot easier than others.
Internet marketing is difficult because it’s a highly complex business. Don’t be fooled that it’s an easy way to make money. Because it’s not.
You need a ton of different skills for a start. That will take you time to learn. And of course learning is all well and good but you’re not making any money are you?
The key is to enlist the help first and then learn as you go along once you’re making money.
You’ll feel better, have more time and learn faster!
You will never have a business unless you learn to delegate. This leverages your time.
A “one person” band (someone who tries to do it all themselves) is not a business it’s a job – and in many cases a lot of stress and work for a small reward.
Hope that helps
Trevor
FROM IMC
Hi Trevor;
An entrepreneur we know says she never works on improving her weaknesses. She says, “All you end up with is stronger weaknesses.”
Work the System by Sam Carpenter says everybody has a prime time for about 4 to 5 hours. If you’re a morning person, that is the time to do your most challenging tasks. Avoid exercising, reading the paper, e-mail, paying bills or low energy tasks. Carpenter’s advice is to do all the aforementioned necessary mundane tasks after.
That has helped me.
Stop multi-tasking! Instead prioritise your tasks, set a time frame gernally in 30min or 1-2 hour block and go all out to finish that task to your own personally set deadline. It’s amazing what you can achieve when you focus, concentrate, not allow distractions to sway you. Work just gets churned out miracuously!
I’m an Existentialist Spiritual Coach and if you need more help you will want to download our free report on the ‘7 Keys To Spiritual Enlightenment’ Go to: http://www.jinalife.com
The best way to tackle time management issue is by identifying and segregating tasks into Urgent AND Important task, and Important but NOT Urgent task. If you can work this out, you will be able to master your own time.
Wow — some great tips there! Thanks for taking the time to answer.