Time Management for Entrepreneurs
This Squidoo lens focuses on effective time management skills for today's entrepreneur. After you read and apply the tips below, your perspective on time management will change.
Contents at a Glance
- Effective Time Management Skills Being Efficient vs. Being Effective
- Setting Business Priorities Will Free You from Time Management Bondage
- Activities to Avoid to Keep Focused
Effective Time Management Skills Being Efficient vs. Being Effective
Entrepreneur vs. Employee Mindset
The Employee is Efficient with His/Her Time
As an employee we oftentimes struggle finding an way to be productive with our time and there should not be a minute where we are caught by the boss not looking like we are working. After all, you're paid per hour to do fulfill a certain job description. Every minute must be spent doing something that pertains to your work. Right?
As an Entrepreneur? WRONG!
Unfortunately, this pattern of thinking usually follows us when we begin a business venture. It surely did me.
I was always a workaholic who felt I had to always be moving. I had to always remain busy. If I didn't I wouldn't feel like I was being "productive".
I began my journey towards entrepreneurship in a Home Party Business and always was doing something to keep busy i.e.
creating flyers
organizing my files
creating hostess packets
But I never realized that as a business owner, I would make more income by being effective not being efficient.
Being efficient entails you are completing tasks you set out to do - regardless of their importance. You are just staying busy to appear productive and just checking things off your "To Do" list.
On the other hand, being effective means you are completing tasks based on prioritization first and achieving them.
The True Entrepreneur is Effective
Entrepreneurs prioritize, plan and attack - not giving "time" much of a big importance.
Entrepreneurs know their strengths and capitalize on them.
After reading The 4 Hour Work-Week" by Tim Ferris, and after listening to husband Luis, it really hit me. I used to feel I had to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off to feel like I was "working" and moving towards my goals. But it didn't have to be that way.
According to Ferris:
"Effectiveness is doing the things that get you closer to your goals. Efficiency is performing a given task (whether important or not) in the most economical manner possible. Being efficient without regard to effectiveness is the default mode of the universe (Ferris, 67)."
Now HERE'S SOME GOOD NEWS!
As an employee we oftentimes struggle finding an way to be productive with our time and there should not be a minute where we are caught by the boss not looking like we are working. After all, you're paid per hour to do fulfill a certain job description. Every minute must be spent doing something that pertains to your work. Right?
As an Entrepreneur? WRONG!
Unfortunately, this pattern of thinking usually follows us when we begin a business venture. It surely did me.
I was always a workaholic who felt I had to always be moving. I had to always remain busy. If I didn't I wouldn't feel like I was being "productive".
I began my journey towards entrepreneurship in a Home Party Business and always was doing something to keep busy i.e.
But I never realized that as a business owner, I would make more income by being effective not being efficient.
Being efficient entails you are completing tasks you set out to do - regardless of their importance. You are just staying busy to appear productive and just checking things off your "To Do" list.
On the other hand, being effective means you are completing tasks based on prioritization first and achieving them.
The True Entrepreneur is Effective
Entrepreneurs prioritize, plan and attack - not giving "time" much of a big importance.
Entrepreneurs know their strengths and capitalize on them.
After reading The 4 Hour Work-Week" by Tim Ferris, and after listening to husband Luis, it really hit me. I used to feel I had to be running around like a chicken with its head cut off to feel like I was "working" and moving towards my goals. But it didn't have to be that way.
According to Ferris:
"Effectiveness is doing the things that get you closer to your goals. Efficiency is performing a given task (whether important or not) in the most economical manner possible. Being efficient without regard to effectiveness is the default mode of the universe (Ferris, 67)."
Now HERE'S SOME GOOD NEWS!
Setting Business Priorities Will Free You from Time Management Bondage
Once we realize:
It's not so much about filling our days with unfocused "to do's"
That it's more about business priorities
And beginning on the tasks that are most important...
We begin to feel free from the bondage we think Time Management as on us. Time Management becomes a much happier topic!
Additionally, once we realize we must focus on setting business priorities or focusing on money generating activities and not insignificant things to involve ourselves in on a daily basis we really start to notice that we can really be free from the bondage we think time has on us.
Business Priorities - Income producing activities include:
Following up with Business Prospects
Creating Internet Marketing Content Creation
Participating in Strategic Marketing Projects (online or offline)
Relationship Building and Customer Service
You ultimately will know what business priorities will bring you the greatest amount of results (cash flow).
Since you are your own boss - you get to decide which business priorities or income generating activities you will focus on.
Choose your business priorities wisely!
Below are some tips to help you stay focused and track to reaching your business goals.
Now let's get to it!!
We begin to feel free from the bondage we think Time Management as on us. Time Management becomes a much happier topic!
Additionally, once we realize we must focus on setting business priorities or focusing on money generating activities and not insignificant things to involve ourselves in on a daily basis we really start to notice that we can really be free from the bondage we think time has on us.
Business Priorities - Income producing activities include:
You ultimately will know what business priorities will bring you the greatest amount of results (cash flow).
Since you are your own boss - you get to decide which business priorities or income generating activities you will focus on.
Choose your business priorities wisely!
Below are some tips to help you stay focused and track to reaching your business goals.
Now let's get to it!!
Activities to Avoid to Keep Focused
Stand Clear of the Information Overload
Generally...
Avoid Information Overload in our Daily Culture
More specifically...
1) Reading the Newspaper and Watching the News (what does any of it have to do with your business growth?)
2) Watching TV (again, what can you learn from Reality TV to move you towards greater heights in your business?)
3) Avoid insignificant Internet surfing - Unless it has to do with some marketing research avoid it.
4) Checking email 50 times a day
Come on do you make money by checking email?
:-)
Tim Ferriss has a great quote that might come in handy:
"Most information is time consuming, negative, irrelevant to your goals, and outside of your influence" (Ferriss, 83).
If you are an Internet Marketer and could use help avoiding Internet Information Overload take a look at my Hub Page on Internet Information Overload .
Avoid Information Overload in our Daily Culture
More specifically...
1) Reading the Newspaper and Watching the News (what does any of it have to do with your business growth?)
2) Watching TV (again, what can you learn from Reality TV to move you towards greater heights in your business?)
3) Avoid insignificant Internet surfing - Unless it has to do with some marketing research avoid it.
4) Checking email 50 times a day
Come on do you make money by checking email?
:-)
Tim Ferriss has a great quote that might come in handy:
"Most information is time consuming, negative, irrelevant to your goals, and outside of your influence" (Ferriss, 83).
If you are an Internet Marketer and could use help avoiding Internet Information Overload take a look at my Hub Page on Internet Information Overload .
6 Tips for Super Focus and Productivity
curated content from YouTube
9 Musts to Better Time Management and Goal Setting for Entrepreneurs
1) Set your goals - but don't set them further than 3 months.
When you have a long deadline chances are you wait until the last minute to complete a task - it's the same with goals.
Break your goals - time frame - into manageable chunks.
2) 30 Days to Success - Focus ONLY on the next 30 days
Forget the goals for the year. Develop short term plans that will get you to the bigger picture.
3) PRIORITIZE - Make Your Plan Then Work It
What activities will you focus on within the next 30 days that will take you to the next step in reaching your goal?
4) Find an Accountability Partner
An accountability partner is someone who will hold you accountable to what you say you will do - ideally on a daily basis. It's a team effort wherein each person is invested and cares for the other persons' success. Accountability partners motivate each other and help each other stay focused and on task.
5) Only have 2 critical "To Do's" for the day. Start with the big tasks first. Focus on completing the big tasks before you move on to anything else.
6) Your "To Do" list should not be more than 4 things per day.
If you notice - the more you add to your "to do's", the more you realize how much you did not get accomplished! Tackle on a few important things to your business growth each day and you will feel much more accomplished.
7) Focus on Your Accomplishments
Pat yourself on the back for the things you DO accomplish. Do not focus on what you did not get around to doing. You'll only beat yourself over the head for doing a good job. This is the overachiever in you! Don't let your self-talk get to you. Focus on the small steps you are taking in the right direction.
8) Focus on Completion
Don't start a new project until you've finished the first one. When you finish a project you feel a sense of accomplishment, and you will feel a lot better knowing that you can peacefully move forward in your business projects.
9) Take Breaks in between your work and REWARD YOURSELF with something you love to do (i.e. going to the gym, reading for pleasure, watching your favorite TV show - yes I do watch some TV - I love "I Love Lucy").
Try not to work for over an hour straight. The longer you work the more worn-out you get. Sometimes I even do powerful half-hour increments followed by a half-hour of reward time!
When you have a long deadline chances are you wait until the last minute to complete a task - it's the same with goals.
Break your goals - time frame - into manageable chunks.
2) 30 Days to Success - Focus ONLY on the next 30 days
Forget the goals for the year. Develop short term plans that will get you to the bigger picture.
3) PRIORITIZE - Make Your Plan Then Work It
What activities will you focus on within the next 30 days that will take you to the next step in reaching your goal?
4) Find an Accountability Partner
An accountability partner is someone who will hold you accountable to what you say you will do - ideally on a daily basis. It's a team effort wherein each person is invested and cares for the other persons' success. Accountability partners motivate each other and help each other stay focused and on task.
5) Only have 2 critical "To Do's" for the day. Start with the big tasks first. Focus on completing the big tasks before you move on to anything else.
6) Your "To Do" list should not be more than 4 things per day.
If you notice - the more you add to your "to do's", the more you realize how much you did not get accomplished! Tackle on a few important things to your business growth each day and you will feel much more accomplished.
7) Focus on Your Accomplishments
Pat yourself on the back for the things you DO accomplish. Do not focus on what you did not get around to doing. You'll only beat yourself over the head for doing a good job. This is the overachiever in you! Don't let your self-talk get to you. Focus on the small steps you are taking in the right direction.
8) Focus on Completion
Don't start a new project until you've finished the first one. When you finish a project you feel a sense of accomplishment, and you will feel a lot better knowing that you can peacefully move forward in your business projects.
9) Take Breaks in between your work and REWARD YOURSELF with something you love to do (i.e. going to the gym, reading for pleasure, watching your favorite TV show - yes I do watch some TV - I love "I Love Lucy").
Try not to work for over an hour straight. The longer you work the more worn-out you get. Sometimes I even do powerful half-hour increments followed by a half-hour of reward time!
Time Management Tip: "You Always Have Enough Time!"
If you feel you are lacking time it usually means you're not prioritizing.
Never overwhelm yourself by taking on too much! FOCUS FOCUS!
Time Management for Internet Marketers
Focus on Your Strengths and Avoid the Rest
If you Like to write, for instance, focus on the activities that will allow you to create Internet Content - i.e. don't start creating videos if you're not there yet.
Stick to what you're best at!
Need help developing an Internet Marketing Plan? Contact me! (540) 446-0841
If you Like to write, for instance, focus on the activities that will allow you to create Internet Content - i.e. don't start creating videos if you're not there yet.
Stick to what you're best at!
Need help developing an Internet Marketing Plan? Contact me! (540) 446-0841
- Create a Squidoo Lens
- Write an Ezine Article (For instance here is my Time Management for Entrepreneurs Ezine Article
- Create a Hub Page
Time Management and Goal Achievement Resources
Here is a list of links that will help you in your journey to shed limiting beliefs and become more productive in your business:
- Michael Bernhoff - Call to Action
- This is the program that created a huge shift in my productivity and helped me see the importance of having an accountability partner.
In one week I got way more done than I could have in 2 months!
Speak to Gileana and the folks may have a nice bonus for you - Tell her Dali Burgado Referred You! - Time Management
- A great comprehensive site that will help you with your Time Management.
Follow Me on Twitter
- aka Twitter
- 0 followers
- 0 following
-
- Posted: Links for 2009-11-20 [del.icio.us] http://bit.ly/5Q2IUq
-
- Secure Your Wordpress Blog - http://shar.es/aiWZ0
-
- The Art of the Paragraph /Copyblogger/ - Anyone can write a paragraph, but not everyone knows how to write ... http://tinyurl.com/ya76hjg
-
- How to Persuade People to Accept an “Unfair” Offer /Copyblogger/ - Ever heard of Charley Hill? He ... http://tinyurl.com/yfwtuhg
-
- 'Light the Night Black Tie Gala' at Eventful.com - http://is.gd/4Xo0s #EVlight1121 Proceeds to Children Living with HIV/AIDS
powered by Twitter
Entrepreneur's Mindset Corner
For more tips on building and Entrepreneur Mindset and strategic Internet Marketing Tips:
Dali Burgado's Blog
What's Your Favorite Time Management or Goal Setting Book?
The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich by Timothy Ferriss
What do you do? Tim Ferriss has trouble answering more...0 points
Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity by David Allen
In today's world, yesterday's methods just don't w more...0 points
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
In <i>The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Peopl more...0 points
Fooling Some of the People All of the Time: A Long Short Story by David Einhorn
<b>A rare look inside the world of hedge fun more...0 points
The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement by Eliyahu M. Goldratt, Jeff Cox
Over 2 million copies sold! Used by thousands of c more...0 points
Which is Your Favorite Video on Time Management
You Tube Take on Time Management
Vote on the best video on Time management.
The Heck with To Do Lists?
Index Card or No To Do List
Should You Write Your To Do List on an Index Card or Burn the To Do List Altogether?
More than 5 Things on a To Do List?
Fetching blurbs now... please stand byIndex Card
carterboylston says:
Index cards for sure- there's nothing better than crossing out things and seeing that you're moving closer to your target.
Posted August 16, 2008
I don't Need a To Do List
"I used to think I was a "master multi-tasker" - now I am a master prioritizer. - Dali Burgado"
New Guestbook
submit
-
Reply
- carterboylston carterboylston Aug 16, 2008 @ 12:08 pm
- Dali- this is an incredible lens with some wonderful information on it. I'll be honest that I can be a slave to email waiting for things to come in. I would even keep the sound on my computer on at night so I could hear an email come in if I was sleeping. But I've been more productive since getting rid of that behavior! Thanks.
-
Reply
- Brandi Magill Brandi Magill Jul 26, 2008 @ 9:15 pm
- Great Lense Dali!
