You Do Not Need to Manage Your Time
One of the time-honored foundations for the success of any enterprise is that of Time Management.
Time is not what you need to manage.
As a matter of fact, how would you really manage time? It's just there...
24 hours, 7 days, 12 months, 60 minutes...
It is what it is.
No one is going to change that.
So what can you change? What, exactly, can you manage? You have to learn to manage yourself in time.
For a few, this comes relatively easily.
For most, self-mastery is a skill that will take time to develop.
Time and determination.
If you are looking for success in your business, here is where you need to start.
Those who have been in the workforce have had little input in the whole self/time quantum.
Work days are set.
Meetings are called at certain times.
(Is there ever a meeting when everyone shows up on time?) Deadlines are given for projects.
If you don't get everything done, there are options: Work overtime; take work home, or...
face a reprimand, demotion or a pink slip.
Basically, these options don't exist for the owner of an online business.
You are either going to learn to manage yourself in time or have no income.
Period.
Dot.
End of story.
Now, when you are first starting your home business, everything will seem overwhelming.
So much information.
So much to learn.
So many things to do.
Not enough hours in the day! Well, you're not going to get any more, so you better use what you have wisely.
I'm sure you have heard of paralysis of analysis.
You will have to spend time learning your company's system and products.
You will undoubtedly have to learn marketing strategies and most will have to learn some basic technical skills.
But you cannot use your whole time learning.
From day one, there has to be action.
You may be ready to do only one or two things; get your domain name and put your information in your profile.
Each day, you should be using less time to learn (but never stop learning!) and more and more time doing.
Here's where it gets dicey.
What should you be doing? Almost every person new to the online industry asks the same question of their sponsor or mentor: "What is the one most important thing you did when you started your business?" Good question, but it may not give you the answer you need.
Here is what I believe is a more useful answer: "Focus.
" You must keep focused and on track at all times.
Listen to your leaders but also pay attention to your own skills and talents.
Look at your training material and choose two, or at the most, three marketing strategies.
Those are the ones you begin to implement immediately and consistently.
It has been said, and I have often repeated, "It is not what you do that makes a difference.
It is what you do daily.
" So, you need to know daily what it is you have to do that day.
A goal for the week is also good; however, when you first get started, you may have no idea what you can realistically expect to accomplish in a week.
Just map out your day.
Not just a To Do list, although you need one.
But put each action on a schedule.
Have work hours and adhere to them.
Schedule in breaks and meals.
Schedule in exercise.
If you don't exercise, start.
(I'm serious here.
Some form of exercise is important for your success.
) You may need to work long hours, or you may have to work after you get home from your job.
But know when those hours are and what you are going to do in that time.
Write it down.
Have it were you can see it.
Follow that schedule religiously.
At the end of your workday, look back at your day and check what you did and what you didn't do.
Adjustments will certainly have to be made, but ask yourself these questions: "Did I do everything I could today? Did I do only those things that move my business forward?" The answers to those questions will reveal how well you are managing yourself in time.
One final comment: You will need to have a time scheduled to stop.
Make sure there is time in your day to step away from your business.
Take time with your family, with your friends, and/or with your dogs.
(I suppose some of you do have cats so you might want to take time with them, too.
) Seriously, it's tough at first to take time off when you have so much pressure to get your company off the ground.
It is, however, critical to your overall success.
After all, your success is the ultimate reason for learning how to master yourself in time.
Time is not what you need to manage.
As a matter of fact, how would you really manage time? It's just there...
24 hours, 7 days, 12 months, 60 minutes...
It is what it is.
No one is going to change that.
So what can you change? What, exactly, can you manage? You have to learn to manage yourself in time.
For a few, this comes relatively easily.
For most, self-mastery is a skill that will take time to develop.
Time and determination.
If you are looking for success in your business, here is where you need to start.
Those who have been in the workforce have had little input in the whole self/time quantum.
Work days are set.
Meetings are called at certain times.
(Is there ever a meeting when everyone shows up on time?) Deadlines are given for projects.
If you don't get everything done, there are options: Work overtime; take work home, or...
face a reprimand, demotion or a pink slip.
Basically, these options don't exist for the owner of an online business.
You are either going to learn to manage yourself in time or have no income.
Period.
Dot.
End of story.
Now, when you are first starting your home business, everything will seem overwhelming.
So much information.
So much to learn.
So many things to do.
Not enough hours in the day! Well, you're not going to get any more, so you better use what you have wisely.
I'm sure you have heard of paralysis of analysis.
You will have to spend time learning your company's system and products.
You will undoubtedly have to learn marketing strategies and most will have to learn some basic technical skills.
But you cannot use your whole time learning.
From day one, there has to be action.
You may be ready to do only one or two things; get your domain name and put your information in your profile.
Each day, you should be using less time to learn (but never stop learning!) and more and more time doing.
Here's where it gets dicey.
What should you be doing? Almost every person new to the online industry asks the same question of their sponsor or mentor: "What is the one most important thing you did when you started your business?" Good question, but it may not give you the answer you need.
Here is what I believe is a more useful answer: "Focus.
" You must keep focused and on track at all times.
Listen to your leaders but also pay attention to your own skills and talents.
Look at your training material and choose two, or at the most, three marketing strategies.
Those are the ones you begin to implement immediately and consistently.
It has been said, and I have often repeated, "It is not what you do that makes a difference.
It is what you do daily.
" So, you need to know daily what it is you have to do that day.
A goal for the week is also good; however, when you first get started, you may have no idea what you can realistically expect to accomplish in a week.
Just map out your day.
Not just a To Do list, although you need one.
But put each action on a schedule.
Have work hours and adhere to them.
Schedule in breaks and meals.
Schedule in exercise.
If you don't exercise, start.
(I'm serious here.
Some form of exercise is important for your success.
) You may need to work long hours, or you may have to work after you get home from your job.
But know when those hours are and what you are going to do in that time.
Write it down.
Have it were you can see it.
Follow that schedule religiously.
At the end of your workday, look back at your day and check what you did and what you didn't do.
Adjustments will certainly have to be made, but ask yourself these questions: "Did I do everything I could today? Did I do only those things that move my business forward?" The answers to those questions will reveal how well you are managing yourself in time.
One final comment: You will need to have a time scheduled to stop.
Make sure there is time in your day to step away from your business.
Take time with your family, with your friends, and/or with your dogs.
(I suppose some of you do have cats so you might want to take time with them, too.
) Seriously, it's tough at first to take time off when you have so much pressure to get your company off the ground.
It is, however, critical to your overall success.
After all, your success is the ultimate reason for learning how to master yourself in time.
Source...