Time Management tips from Denis Waitley

Begin each day with this question: “What am I going to do today that will make the best use of my time and energy, and lead me a step closer to reaching my goals?”
During the day, each time you are faced with a decision, ask yourself: “Does this action substantially help me toward achieving my goals?”

Before you leave your workplace or before you go to sleep at night, make a list of your most urgent priorities for the following day in order of their importance. You might consider dividing your activities into A, B, and C lists:

A is for action immediately
B is before the end of the day
C is can wait until tomorrow

Become aware of interruptions and distractions that block your success. Constant telephone calls are the most common. Spending too much time reading and answering personal e-mails is another problem. Chatting with co-workers eats up more time. Messy files, disorganized scheduling and cluttered desks are roadblocks. Take an objective look at your routines and habits. And then take action!

Until next week, keep following your A, B and C’s!
– Denis Waitley

Do You Feel The Need To “Do It All”?

Sometimes as working mothers we can feel a little overwhelmed. We have families to care for, a house to take care of, a business to run, as well as finding the time to take care of ourselves.

One of the most common questions I’m asked is, “How do you do it all?”

Most of the time it’s because I follow a system and use good time management skills. As business moms we need to develop a system for both business and family – one that can eventually run on autopilot so we can focus on the task at hand.

For example, I was able to cut down on work time by implementing just a few simple strategies:

• Group related tasks – Every week I write 5 articles for 3 different companies. Instead of writing 15 completely different articles, I now write only 5 articles and do relatively simple modifications for each company.
• Focus first on the tasks that build your business and ultimately, your bottom line – Since I am in sales, I do my presentations early in the morning, right after I drop my daughter at school. My first 2 hours are for connecting with others face to face. My next 2 hours are for connecting with people on-line whether through social networking or advertising. My next 2 hours are for everything that makes the first 4 hours possible.
• Make time for me – This is very important. Schedule time for rejuvenation, for exercise, for whatever makes you feel good.
• Make time for self improvement – What are others in your field doing? Do they have ideas or strategies that you could incorporate. Don’t forget your spiritual side. Are you connecting with God or nature in some way? We can learn a lot from spending time in nature (but that is another topic).

I know. We see the phrase “make time” and think, “Where? There are only 24 hours in a day? Where do I find the extra time?” But I promise you, the time is there if you just implement, and stick to , a system.

Another key is to set priorities. You have to realize that some things either don’t NEED to be done or can be delegated to others. Let go of those things. You have more important things to do. Make a list of your top 5-10 things that absolutely must be done today. Put them in order of importance. Begin, and do not waver from your assigned tasks.

Another thing I have done is to include my daughter in my business. One of my businesses is a candle business. My daughter loves candles and tells everyone she knows about them. She works with me at craft fairs and farmers markets, she helps me put together information packets, she passes out fliers. It makes her feel important and grown up to work with mommy. When possible, include your family in your business.

Don’t allow yourself to be weighed down by stress and overload. Set up a system that works for you. Focus on what is important, set goals, and try to include your family in your work whenever possible. You’d be surprised how much your kids like to “work”.

Traveling this journey with you…