Posts Tagged ‘time’

Lots and lots of people are talking about setting goals and making the most of 2010…including me!  But don’t let all the talk of goal setting throw you off track from what is really important about this process.  It’s about making sure that you are doing the right things at the right time and in the right order.  It’s about being as productive as you can be with your time, talent and energy!  Here are seven “must implement right away strategies” so that you can stop feeling exhausted and start moving your business forward!

Throw Away The Old To Do List

You heard me right!  Get rid of the old to do list because it’s missing a critical element – an end time.  Simple fix isn’t it?  The problem and the solution are simple.  Most entrepreneur to-do-lists have the start time but no end time built into them.  By scheduling in the due date or end time it helps you get focused and completing the project by that specified date.  Without it, it can stay on that list and never get crossed off and that my friends is just plain inefficient.

Create A Schedule and Stick to It

I keep a schedule and I rarely let anything bump the time that I have allocated in my schedule for things that MUST happen like writing, creating new programs and services and marketing tasks.  So here is what you must do:  create a schedule and purposefully plan out your top priorities for the day and then don’t allow anything to come between you and your schedule.

This schedule should include things that you must do each day until you have established a routine and even then I wouldn’t take it off your schedule.  I schedule everything this way I don’t miss anything important.  My schedule is tied to my 90 goals that I have established and these two systems allow me to accomplish a great deal each day, month, quarter and year.

Whatever system you develop make sure that it works for you and allows to continually move your business forward.

Time:  Once It’s Gone, It’s Gone

Time is something that once it’s gone you can’t get it back.  That’s why it is so important to always be conscientious with your time and how you spend it.  For those moments when you have not scheduled your time according to your plan ask yourself this question:  What is the most effective use of my time right now? Think about it and then use your time wisely knowing that you are using your time effectively, efficiently and on the tasks that are guaranteed to reach your goals.

Post Your Goals

I have my three year plan posted right in front of my desk where I can always refer to it!  It is a constant reminder to me of why I am doing what I am doing and great a great motivator!  Additionally, I have my vision board where I can see all the things that I am working towards…the new car, the beach front property, etc.  Seeing the reason behind doing what you’re doing is a great subconscious motivator for you to get the job done so you can proudly say, “I reached my goal.”

How Much Are You Worth?

Do you know the answer to that question?  If not I suggest you do the following exercise.  If you want to make $50,000 next year and assuming you will work 8 hours each day, then you know that each hour you work has a value of $25.61 and every minute is worth $0.427. Double it if you want to make $100,000 next year.  The reverse if that for every hour that you waste and let’s say you waste one hour a day each week you are losing $6,658.60 on a $50,000 income and double that on a $100,000 income.  My point:  wasted, unfocused time is a loss of revenue…and a big one at that.

Delegate and Follow Up

There are some tasks that I really hate doing and then there are tasks that I like to do but understand is not a good use of my time.  Whether its tasks you hate or ones you love remember that delegating is an effective tool and strategy when trying to make the most of the time that YOU have.

But along with effective delegation is also the responsibility to follow up and not leave issues hanging out there with no resolution.  Make sure you check in to make sure things stay on track and according to schedule.

Celebrate Your Success

Each time I reach a goal and complete a project I do a little celebration dance!  I know it sounds corny and who knows what I look like when I do my “dance of joy”, but I love to celebrate my wins and success and you should too.  Find a system that feels right for you even if it simply jotting down on paper in a journal.

Keeping on track and focused can be a daunting task if you don’t have a system.  Follow these simple tips here to make it simple and easy.   And remember, time cannot be replaced.  Once it’s gone, it’s gone so use it wisely.

A couple of weeks ago I spent the morning working with a group of entrepreneurs who are part of the ICE Program (Inner City Entrepreneurs).  This mission of this program is to promote job creation, wealth generation and community development by helping a diverse group of urban entrepreneurs strengthen and grow their small business.

That morning the ICE Participants were to give each of the Private Sector Network members (people like me) their elevator speech.  For those who may not be familiar with an elevator speech, it is a 10-30 second verbal message about you and your business.

Now you may be thinking, “that’s not a very long time to get my message out”.  And you would be right.  But it’s also why you need to take the time to expertly craft your elevator speech so that it gets right to the heart of the matter.

The average American has the attention span of a flea, about 9 seconds.  It’s impossible to adequately tell someone about your product or service in 9 seconds.  So what’s the alternative?  Craft a short message that  leaves them curious about what you do.

Which peaks your curiosity more?

• “I am a business coach and I work with businesses that want to grow.”

• “I teach women business owners the seven secrets to attracting more clients and more wealth,  so their business can fit their lifestyle.”

The first example is  boring, ho hum, educational.  The second leaves you wanting more.  It makes you wonder what those darn secrets could be. We as a society are fascinated with secrets.  We can’t help it.  Look at any tabloid magazine and you will see exactly what I am talking about.    When someone says, ” I have a secret!”  what do you immediately think?  That you want to know what the secret is and NOW!

The first half of this message focuses on a basic need – money and the creation and accumulation of wealth.     Who doesn’t want to know more about creating wealth?  If someones told you that they could teach you a thing or two about creating a business that would bring in the money would you want to learn more?  You bet I would!

The second half of this message is about TIME.  Most of us don’t think we have enough of it and we definitely don’t feel we get to spend our time they way we want to.  Why is this concept so appealing?   Because it’s about freedom.   Freedom to do things we want to do but don’t have the time to do.

Do you see how in the second example I have succeeded in peaking their curiosity?  My odds of engaging them in a future conversation of how I can work with them has dramatically gone up.

Remember that the world operates from an attitude of “what’s in it for me?”  When crafting your elevator speech you want them to hear, understand and even feel in the message what you can do for them. By addressing their needs up front  you can be assured that they will be looking forward to hearing from you again.