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.
1) 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.
2) 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 effect on you, but it could if you don't be realistic.
3) 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.
4) 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.
5) 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.
6) 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.
7) 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 wanted 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.
Related Articles
Failing at Your Network Marketing Business?
By: Shailesh Kumar Singh | 06/03/2008 | Internet Marketing
Readers read this! Do you know that Network Marketing whether online or offline has been a good source of income for young business establishers nowadays? Well, Network Marketing is not a simple business topic. This form of business does not just demand a debiting and a crediting knowledge background. Leave the task of computing among accountants.
How to Delegate: One Key Step Towards Leadership
By: Shailesh Kumar Singh | 10/03/2008 | Internet Marketing
You've made an unusual discovery - there's not enough time left at the end of the day. The corollary, of course, is your list of important things to do never get smaller. In any company, the CEO's to-do list has the potential to grow infinitely.
Want to Earn More Profits
By: Sonia Sood | 11/03/2008 | Networking
It's a simple yet common question, "How can I make my business more successful?"
Success can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people but when it comes down to it, the success of your business should only be measured by one thing - profit.
Preparing yourself Mentally for Business
By: gurpreet singh | 13/03/2008 | Business
People say that starting your own business is difficult. Guess what? They’re not kidding. Starting a business, in many ways, is a lot like having a child
Give the Gift of Gas!
By: Shailesh Kumar Singh | 14/03/2008 | Internet Marketing
Gasoline prices are at an all-time high, and this fact has created an outstanding opportunity for motivating employees and thanking customers, by presenting them with official Gas Rebate Coupons.
Tips for Hot List-building
By: mohan mittal | 15/03/2008 | Business
Here are some hot list-building tips for you to grow your list and your business.
1. Offer an outstanding gift or bonus for subscriptions. Not too long ago, any kind of a free gift or bonus was more than enough to get subscribers.
Maximizing the Use of Autoresponders
By: Manbeer Singh | 15/03/2008 | Email
Autoresponders are a perfect way to increase traffic to your site. They can save many valuable hours by automatically answering emails concerning frequently asked questions about a service or product or by sending a welcome letter to new members of your program.
Why is Small Business Health Insurance Worth It?
By: Manbeer Singh | 17/03/2008 | Insurance
If you’re looking for a guide to how to get health insurance and what kind of health insurance is best for your small business, then this is the article for you.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Could you tell me if Executive Imaging Systems is ...
By: Alice | 19-07-2008
Could you tell me if Executive Imaging Systems is still in business? It was headquartered in Cherry Hill, NJ.
Big bank cheaters
By: Betty Beckham | 19-07-2008
how can a co. as big as bank of america--take closed credit cards and put money on the card and expect senior citzens that are disabled pay this money back to them--even if they don't owe it?????? i had a credit card in 2007-the bank was always sending access checks-after calling bank of america-i used 1 access check for $2,000.00-after a couple of weeks my bank notified me that this check bounced-i had a credit limit of $7,500.00-i called and closed and canceled this card (which was clear)--on april 24,2008 bank of america pulled this closed and canceled credit card and put this $2,000.00 back on my closed account--then harrassing statements started-i would call bank of america and explain (i do not owe this) then harrassing letters and late night phone calls-i told them (i do not owe this)--then -late credit reports- finally july 3, 2008 they called and said i was right-i did not owe this--after ruining my life and my credit now they are sorry and want to forget it=i can not drop this-and let other senior citzens be taken by bank of america-check out miller VS bank of america-i want a letter of apoligy and a small settlement --clean my credit report-- one of the bank member told me this was fraud--of course they can't find this one truthful man--probably fired!!!!!-
admrlsqtrs@aol.com
How to get a small business license for an animal rescue
By: icybaby05 | 19-07-2008
how to get a small business license for an animal rescue
Dark Red Business Jacket in natural fibers, needed by 7/24/08
By: Denise | 18-07-2008
My dress code is a dark red slenderizing long sleeve jacket and a black pencil skirt. My problem is that I am on a budget and need natural fibers. I am allergic to Polyester, Nylon, and have to be very careful with Rayon. I am doing great with Silk, Cotton, Wool, and Linen.
Please let me know who can help me out, size 10 - 12, petite, and for an affordable price for me. I need it by Thursday, July 24, as I am leaving for Seminar on Saturday morning, July 26.
Thank you very much for helping me find something in Long Beach or close by, so I can go try it on.
Sincerely,
Denise
How to get a concession stand at a major ball Park?
By: Concession | 18-07-2008
How would I go about getting a concession stand at a major ball park?
Bad credit due to divorce. Any companies that believe in secind chances?
By: Glinda | 18-07-2008
BAd credit due to Divorce. New Business need credit card.Any companies out there that belive in secind chances? I am opening an afoordable creative arts studio to help build children,s self esteem.
Tracy
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Business Articles
Customer Service Toolkit
By: Drew Stevens | 25/07/2008
All businesses make money, yet those that are customer focused are more profitable.
Top 10 Brain Training Future Trends: New Mind/body Focus, Brain Trainers, and More
By: Alvaro Fernandez | 25/07/2008
In an emerging, dynamic, high growth market, like brain training, it is difficult to make precise projections. But, we can observe a number of trends that executives, consumers, public policy makers, and the media should watch closely in the coming years, as brain fitness and training becomes mainstream, new brain trainers appear, and an ecosystem grows around it. Here you have the Top Ten trends I predict.
Commercial Loans and Working Capital Financing Special Reports
By: Steve Bush | 25/07/2008
A prudent approach to working capital management is becoming more difficult for most commercial borrowers. Commercial loans have always been more complicated than realized by most business owners. Recent financing difficulties involving commercial mortgages, SBA loans and business cash advances have added significantly to the complexity of the entire commercial...
Collecting Survey Data That Meets Your Objectives
By: Ryan J Bell | 25/07/2008
Creating a survey should be done only after considering your objectives for the data. The data you collect can offer a valuable glimpse into the perspective of your customers, employees, vendors, or any other party to which your organization is exposed. But, if the survey is designed or executed poorly,...
Using a 360 Degree Feedback System
By: Ryan J Bell | 25/07/2008
A 360 degree feedback survey is conducted internally within a company or organization. Its purpose is to provide participants (i.e. employees) with peer and manager feedback. This feedback is delivered anonymously and describes a participant's strengths and weaknesses. Like most surveys, the usefulness of a 360 feedback system depends upon...
What is Your Prospect's Problem?
By: Jody Gabourie | 25/07/2008
The secret to crafting a compelling marketing message that makes your potential clients sit up and take notice is to clearly identify the problems they are facing.
Asia ' the Biggest Consumer Market
By: Paul Hata | 25/07/2008
Countries like China,India,Japan,Korea,Singapore and Taiwan have sent many unknowing stock market players into silence in recent years because of the dramatic rise in their economic conditions. Each of these countries presents different investment opportunities for investors and the range of their expertise has narrowed down.
How to Successfully Submit Content to Article Directories
By: Anthony Harriis | 24/07/2008
Since the inception of the internet, webmasters have drawn prospective customers to their sites by providing worthwhile information to their guests. This information based marketing is a proven technique for targeting interested individuals and bringing them to a website, then turning those visitors into paying clients.
Today, the same marketing technique...
More from prakash Sharma
How to Market Your Home Business
By: prakash Sharma | 26/03/2008 | Home Business
Marketing, as contrasted with advertising, is a long-term enterprise. It takes a substantial amount of time compared to other efforts but is likely the most important aspect of your business. The first step in your marketing efforts should naturally be a plan. And the foundation of your marketing plan is a very specific goal that your Home Business is trying to achieve.
Internet Tutorials are the Teachers of the Future?
By: prakash Sharma | 17/03/2008 | Web Hosting
I know some people don’t even believe that the Internet or World Wide Web exists. They think that it is an abstract concept and that if asked to show it to someone they would fail miserably. Well, whether or not it exists I think that the collective consciousness of humanity is evolving everyday.
What Should Your Business Card Say?
By: prakash Sharma | 15/03/2008 | Business
Are you planning to start your own business? Do you work from your home? Are you employed at a company where you have a specific job title and function? If any of these are true or if you want to offer freelance services to the community, a business card may be one of your first steps in making others aware of your goods and services.
Online Dating Scams
By: prakash Sharma | 14/03/2008 | Education
Before you even think about online dating, you must know about dating scams. This is serious: if you get too deeply involved, a dating scam can significantly hurt not only your heart, but your finances, too. Make sure you know how to protect yourself from fraud when using dating sites!
Rating Internet Ebook Creator Software Programs
By: prakash Sharma | 14/03/2008 | Education
The purchased software is user-friendly with easy-to-follow help files that not only guide you through the steps of compiling your Ebook, but also explains what an Ebook compiler does. The software provides detailed instructions on how to create source .
Culinary Traditions of South America: Argentina
By: prakash Sharma | 14/03/2008 | Recipes
Argentina is South America's second largest country, snugly situated between the Andes mountain range, the Pacific Ocean, and the South American countries of Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, and Chile. Being situated in such a manner, Argentina is exposed to many different cultural influences from all directions, including countries all the way across the Pacific.
Computer Hygiene - Take Out the Trash!
By: prakash Sharma | 13/03/2008 | Web Design
Do you find that your computer exhibits one or more of the following behaviors? Inexplicable message or warning pop-ups- Frequent unsolicited reboots - Your favorite application often crashes - Applications now start up sluggishly - Your computer seems to take forever to boot up .
Website Buying Guide Checklist
By: prakash Sharma | 13/03/2008 | Web Design
Can you really get a website even without knowing anything about code, and without paying a fortune? Find out.The days when websites were primarily distinguished by their code are long gone. Nowadays, the web is a true publishing medium that favors well thought-out ideas.
Business 
