I don't think I have to really tell you how easy it is to get distracted while conducting business online, especially from home. With all the tasks we have to undertake,it's a wonder that anything gets accomplished. I thought I would take the time to share with you some of the things I do to help manage my time.
1. Create a To-Do List
I usually create my list the night before, or the very first thing in the morning. I simply make a list of all the things I need to get done that day, and work my way through it until all tasks are complete.
2. Keep Your Focus
This is probably the hardest thing on this list to do. Just keep telling yourself that these are things that you must do and the results from them will be a more profitable business. Do whatever it takes to stay on track.
3. When You Get Sidetracked?.Get Up!
If you find yourself on a browsing or clicking binge when you should be working your task list, stop and get away from your computer. After a small break you will find yourself refreshed with a ready-to-work perspective again.
4. Set Time Limits
Set a limit for how long you have to spend on certain tasks. Set an alarm or use a timer to help keep track. When the timer stops or the alarm sounds, stop and move on to the next task.
5. Pull the Old Switcheroo
When there is something that you are working on and you just can't seem to stay focused on it, stop and move onto another task for awhile. This break will help you feel more focused when you come back to it.
6. Breaking Big Rocks into Little Stones
When you have a very large task it can sometimes seem overwhelming and like you are getting nowhere fast. You may find yourself moving the same task from one day's To-Do-List to the next. When this happens try breaking your larger tasks in smaller, more manageable tasks. The smaller tasks can be marked off your list more easily and at the end of the day you will see how much you have really accomplished.
A common issue among Internet based businesses is becoming overwhelmed and overworked. Keep in mind that Rome was not built in a day, and your business won't be either. Take your time and cut yourself some slack if you don't get everything accomplished as quickly as you were hoping.
Think back to your elementary school era, to your first day in a new school year. Regardless of what happened the semester before, you had a chance for a fresh start. There were no time management issues following you. You were dressed in your best clothes, with new supplies, and you walked into a well-laid-out, neat classroom, ready to have a productive year. A desk was assigned where you carefully placed your supplies. Books were passed out, and you added those to the desk contents. You were in control, with no distracting clutter anywhere.
Now jump two months into the school year. Take a look at some of those desks again. Which one most closely resembled yours?
Were you the one whose desk still had all the books stacked inside, large textbooks on the bottom, smaller ones on the top, pencils right at the edge inside of the desk for easy access?
Were you the one who appeared to own more books and papers than anyone else in the class because your desk was overflowing? There were books falling on the floor all the time, wrinkled papers sticking out, no pencil or crayons to be found without a major overhaul.
Move ahead a few years to present day. When you walk into your office in the morning, what is your first reaction? Is it excitement about the prospects for the day or dread at having to cope with all the daily demands while operating in disorganization?
Unfortunately you do not often have the opportunity to make a fresh start each year as children do. Instead you tend to keep on accumulating more and more year after year without the chance to clear out your space at the end of a term.
You might begin to resemble the child with the overflowing desk. As he pulls out a book, several other items crash to the floor. Now the class has to wait while he gets his things together. He is using up valuable time, and he is also causing others to lose valuable time.
A similar scenario occurs in everyday work situations. Are you being as effective as you can, or are you bogged down because of all the clutter around you? Have you ever held up a project because you misplaced information or overlooked a deadline?
The first point of entry into your workday is usually the desk. You will never be an efficient time manager if you do not have control of the paper and clutter surrounding you.
Even if your personal area is organized, you are directly affected by the disorganization of colleagues. When they do not have appropriate systems, they end up interrupting you to ask for a report or to question a date. They might show up late for meetings or not follow through on an important project. Their lack of organization leads to numerous inefficiencies, and then to stress and subsequent illnesses. All of these can have a direct impact on you and those around you.
Consider setting aside time once or twice a year to stop, catch up or reorganize, and give yourself a fresh start. Your attitude on entering a clear, well-laid-out space will add a positive slant to each day and more hours of productive output. It is also a great lesson for children.
?2007-2008, Key Organization Systems, Inc., All Rights Reserved
Both Michael Melia & Denise Landers are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Michael Melia has sinced written about articles on various topics from Time Management Skills, Your Online Business. Michael Melia is the owner of Earn24x7Online.com and writes on a variety of subjects. To learn more about this topic Michael invites you to visit: . Michael Melia's top article generates over 1900 views. to your Favourites.
Denise Landers has sinced written about articles on various topics from Time Management Skills, Home and Home Management. Expert Denise Landers helps business, government, schools, and individuals be more productive and drop stress.