Im not sure who first came up with the quote time is money but I have strong feeling it was a business owner. They understand how important it is to spend time wisely.
Thus investing time into learning new ways to save it is something they do often, because although money cannot buy more time, you can make more money when you use your time effectively. Part of time management is being able to stay focused on the tasks in front of you. Here is a few simple ways you can stay focused and save time in your work at home business.
1. Write down goals. Creating time specific goals will help you to stay focused. Yes, your ultimate goal is to make money but perhaps you are at the stage in your business where youre building traffic or setting up your website. Having a realistic deadline pushes you and helps you stay on track. When creating your goal you want to specify why the goal is important to you. This will also help you to stay focused.
2. Set up alerts. You can use your cell phone to set up a to-do list and choose a sound alert when the task is due. This is especially helpful if you get off track easily. The sound alert reminds you that you are supposed to be focusing on your work instead of your distraction. There are a number of online to-do lists and task management tools and apps that you can download to help you stay organized.
3. Learn keyboard and mouse shortcuts. Just knowing a few keyboard commands can save you an extra minuet on some of your assignments. One simple example is using Ctrl F to find your search query on a page. If you searched time management and landed on a page with a long article, you can type Ctrl F and a find on page search bar will appear. Once you type in the keyword the page will highlight all the times that keyword is used. This way you dont have read the entire page. This is very helpful if you are looking for answers in a forum.
4. Organize your emails. Email is still the number time distracter for work at home businesses. But tools like xobni can help you organize your emails so you find people and email attachments faster. If you seem to delete messages from certain recipients often unsubscribe from their mailing list. Only information that is valuable to you should reach your inbox.
5. Change your radio station. You may think listening to that song with a catchy beat is helping you work fast but studies have shown listening to jazz, orchestrated music or even classic rock can make you more productive.
6. Delegate responsibility. This is something that will save you a lot of time but due to expenses many people avoid it. However, you can negotiate a reasonable fee. By delegating tasks you dont like to do you focus more of your efforts on those you do enjoy and are best at. This saves you time as well as eases stress in your work at home business or job.
7. Do tough tasks during peak hours. Even though all of us have our natural daily rhythm and peak hours, for most, morning is when creativity, alertness and logic are at their peak. According to Smolensky, a researcher at the University of Texas at Houston, that makes morning the ideal time for writing, working creatively and discussing tough topics. Doing tougher tasks when you are most alert helps you stay focused.
Time management is a skill everyone needs and you become very aware of how important it is when you work from home or own your own work at home business. Use the tip provided above to help you stay on track so you can save time.
Jeff Casmer is a leading legitimate work at home expert and is a work from home business owner. His "Top Ranked" Work at Home Business Directory gives you all the information you need to Earning Money From Home in the 21st century.
Getting It All Done But Getting The Balance Right
As a working Mum I run my own business, keeping everything in the air takes military precision and timing. Everyone can benefit from getting themselves organised at home and at work.
Here are my top 10 work tips;
It really comes down to making lists and prioritising what you do. I write a todo list at the end of each day so I can get stuck straight in at the start of the following day.
I limit when I check emails. Hundreds come flooding in each day so I make a point of looking at them three or four times a day and then responding / actioning as appropriate. It makes your time much more effective.
Everyone is different in terms of when they are most productive. If you can analyse when this is then it is useful to schedule important activities to match.
Working from home gives me flexibility but it is also easy to get distracted. You have to discipline yourself so that you do not do housework when you should be focused on your job or business. It is exactly the same with focusing on non important jobs when other important tasks are stacking up.
Everyone struggles with time but by keeping a close eye and monitoring how you spend it you can see what activities are taking too long. It could save both time and money to delegate/outsource, whether that is getting in an extra pair of hands for admin or sharing project responsibilities.
Working in good conditions is key. I try to keep a clear desk and it is important to factor in clearing up time into your day. It is easy to let things pile up, you will then find that time gets wasted by searching through piles of paperwork. You may also lose important paperwork, or run out of time when trying to complete actions.
If you work from home then burning oils can give your working environment good karmaa.
If you work in an office, or away from home, then burning oils may not be an option but you may be able to personalise your workspace with photographs, cards or screensaver.
It is useful to re-evaluate how you spend your time every few months to see where you can save time and get the right balance.
Top life tips
Whether you work from home or not, when you clock off you need to put thoughts of work out of your mind and focus on family, friends etc. It can be much more difficult in practice but taking time out is essential if you are going to be productive at work and in your private life.
Experiment with relaxation techniques. It is easy to get caught up on the treadmill of life but trying out new things can help bolster you. Why not try a facial, a pilates class, running round the park or a session in a float tank? Different things work for different people, it is important to find what works for you.
I carry a notebook with me everywhere I go. It helps with noting down ideas and thoughts but also things I need to do, it helps me keep on top of work and family. It helps to reduce stress too because if you can get it all down on paper then you feel much more in control, you do not feel overwhelmed by keeping everything in your head.
If you do work from home then it is useful to have dedicated space for your work area that does not interfere with family space. Otherwise, you will always be tempted with work distractions. If your work area is in separate room then it is much easier to cut off. Likewise, it is easy to get sucked into taking work home. Though it may be necessary on occasions if you do it on a regular basis the you need to re-evaluate.
Sometimes it really is worth the money to get someone to help out with the cleaning or ironing, if you can afford it then it could save you valuable time to spend with family and friends.
A regular spring clean at home and clearing out items to go to the charity shop is a great way to keep things tidy but also get the family involved.
Keeping everything running smoothly both at work and at home can be difficult at the best of times. Remember that your family and friends can provide a support network, it is all about team work.
Lilach Bullock runs 2 full time businesses, asklilach providing virtual pa services & Virtual PA Training, helping people set up their own successful virtual assistant business. Lilach recently attended an Award Ceremony at Downing Street for best Mumpreneur. http://www.asklilach.co.uk.
Here are my top 10 work tips;
It really comes down to making lists and prioritising what you do. I write a todo list at the end of each day so I can get stuck straight in at the start of the following day.
I limit when I check emails. Hundreds come flooding in each day so I make a point of looking at them three or four times a day and then responding / actioning as appropriate. It makes your time much more effective.
Everyone is different in terms of when they are most productive. If you can analyse when this is then it is useful to schedule important activities to match.
Working from home gives me flexibility but it is also easy to get distracted. You have to discipline yourself so that you do not do housework when you should be focused on your job or business. It is exactly the same with focusing on non important jobs when other important tasks are stacking up.
Everyone struggles with time but by keeping a close eye and monitoring how you spend it you can see what activities are taking too long. It could save both time and money to delegate/outsource, whether that is getting in an extra pair of hands for admin or sharing project responsibilities.
Working in good conditions is key. I try to keep a clear desk and it is important to factor in clearing up time into your day. It is easy to let things pile up, you will then find that time gets wasted by searching through piles of paperwork. You may also lose important paperwork, or run out of time when trying to complete actions.
If you work from home then burning oils can give your working environment good karmaa.
If you work in an office, or away from home, then burning oils may not be an option but you may be able to personalise your workspace with photographs, cards or screensaver.
It is useful to re-evaluate how you spend your time every few months to see where you can save time and get the right balance.
Top life tips
Whether you work from home or not, when you clock off you need to put thoughts of work out of your mind and focus on family, friends etc. It can be much more difficult in practice but taking time out is essential if you are going to be productive at work and in your private life.
Experiment with relaxation techniques. It is easy to get caught up on the treadmill of life but trying out new things can help bolster you. Why not try a facial, a pilates class, running round the park or a session in a float tank? Different things work for different people, it is important to find what works for you.
I carry a notebook with me everywhere I go. It helps with noting down ideas and thoughts but also things I need to do, it helps me keep on top of work and family. It helps to reduce stress too because if you can get it all down on paper then you feel much more in control, you do not feel overwhelmed by keeping everything in your head.
If you do work from home then it is useful to have dedicated space for your work area that does not interfere with family space. Otherwise, you will always be tempted with work distractions. If your work area is in separate room then it is much easier to cut off. Likewise, it is easy to get sucked into taking work home. Though it may be necessary on occasions if you do it on a regular basis the you need to re-evaluate.
Sometimes it really is worth the money to get someone to help out with the cleaning or ironing, if you can afford it then it could save you valuable time to spend with family and friends.
A regular spring clean at home and clearing out items to go to the charity shop is a great way to keep things tidy but also get the family involved.
Keeping everything running smoothly both at work and at home can be difficult at the best of times. Remember that your family and friends can provide a support network, it is all about team work.
Lilach Bullock runs 2 full time businesses, asklilach providing virtual pa services & Virtual PA Training, helping people set up their own successful virtual assistant business. Lilach recently attended an Award Ceremony at Downing Street for best Mumpreneur. http://www.asklilach.co.uk.
Being Stressed Is A Choice. Learn How To Say No
We constantly make decisions, each of which has consequences for our lifestyle and on the amount of stress we face. There are the really big decisions that determine the pattern of our lives; for example, where to live, whether to marry or have children; the work we do, personal targets we set, and the cultural and recreational activities we choose to become involved with.
Then there are the smaller day to day choices, in which the decision is often whether to say Yes or No.
*Yes, I can get back in time to come to your dinner party. I can come straight from the airport.
*Yes, I will be pleased to do the opening at your product launch
*Yes, I can definitely be at the presentation. I will bring copies of the figures for everyone
*Yes, of course, you must stay the weekend. It will be no trouble.
*Yes, I can get the report done this evening. You will have it on your desk in the morning.
You could of course choose to say No in any of these situations. Think how doing so would ease the pressure! Think how much you often want to say No, but you feel you cannot. Why not?
There are generally a number of reasons. We do not want to offend, we feel obligated, or we would feel guilty. Most often, we do not know how to say No without causing offense or damaging the relationship in some way.
Next time you want to say No, try these four steps. Underlying the process is the notion that you first offer consideration to the person making the request, then you give consideration to your own needs. Only then do you make your decision.
1. Ask questions until you are CLEAR on exactly what the person wants; check that you understand fully.
2. Use empathy to ACKNOWLEDGE how the person feels about the situation.
3. Step back and take time to RECOGNISE your own needs and priorities.
4. Think through the EFFECT and consequences of your decision.
Then, if you decide to say No, FIRST give your reasons, so the other person can understand how you arrived at your decision. At least this way, they will understand your decision and be able to respect it, even if they would have preferred that you had said Yes.
When you learn to say No, you will be in better position to CARE for yourself by reducing your stress level.
Maureen Collins trains people how to handle difficult conversations, on difficult topics, with difficult people in her consulting practice, Straight Talk. She has a B.Sc. degree in Psychology from Edinburgh University and over 25 years of consulting experience. She consults in communication in the workplace. In Straight Talk, Get free Straight Talk Tips. http://www.straight-talk.co.za
Then there are the smaller day to day choices, in which the decision is often whether to say Yes or No.
*Yes, I can get back in time to come to your dinner party. I can come straight from the airport.
*Yes, I will be pleased to do the opening at your product launch
*Yes, I can definitely be at the presentation. I will bring copies of the figures for everyone
*Yes, of course, you must stay the weekend. It will be no trouble.
*Yes, I can get the report done this evening. You will have it on your desk in the morning.
You could of course choose to say No in any of these situations. Think how doing so would ease the pressure! Think how much you often want to say No, but you feel you cannot. Why not?
There are generally a number of reasons. We do not want to offend, we feel obligated, or we would feel guilty. Most often, we do not know how to say No without causing offense or damaging the relationship in some way.
Next time you want to say No, try these four steps. Underlying the process is the notion that you first offer consideration to the person making the request, then you give consideration to your own needs. Only then do you make your decision.
1. Ask questions until you are CLEAR on exactly what the person wants; check that you understand fully.
2. Use empathy to ACKNOWLEDGE how the person feels about the situation.
3. Step back and take time to RECOGNISE your own needs and priorities.
4. Think through the EFFECT and consequences of your decision.
Then, if you decide to say No, FIRST give your reasons, so the other person can understand how you arrived at your decision. At least this way, they will understand your decision and be able to respect it, even if they would have preferred that you had said Yes.
When you learn to say No, you will be in better position to CARE for yourself by reducing your stress level.
Maureen Collins trains people how to handle difficult conversations, on difficult topics, with difficult people in her consulting practice, Straight Talk. She has a B.Sc. degree in Psychology from Edinburgh University and over 25 years of consulting experience. She consults in communication in the workplace. In Straight Talk, Get free Straight Talk Tips. http://www.straight-talk.co.za
Single Moms and Constraints of Time - Top 7 Tips to Manage Use of Time
Everyone gets the exact same amount of time in a day. It is one thing you cannot buy or earn. So how can you manage time? You can not. You can only manage your use of time.
As single moms, you handle two persons' work in the same 24-hour day. How are you going to fit more into the same amount of time especially with limited resources? Here are some tips for you:
Tip 1 - Get it all out on Paper - Write down everything you need to get done this week. They do not have to be in any order and if you can group them together in categories, that will be great. For example: work, household (bills, bank, rent, groceries), children (child care, school work, PTA), self care (hair cut, exercise, massage, personal development, taking walks).
Tip 2 - What Matters Most - From the earlier list, choose only those that matters most (only the urgent and important). Do not include anything that does not support your healthy happy, stress free lifestyle. With limited time you will have to let something go if you want to add something into your life. Be very careful of your choices, there isn't enough room for everything.
Tip 3 - Do versus Outsource - Out of the what-matters-most list, decide what has to be done by you and what can be outsourced to others. Some of the routine maintenance work can be done by others while new projects and tasks that require creativity will be best done by you.
Tip 4 - Prioritization - Do you keep putting off the more important tasks, while you go accomplish the not-so-important activities? Align your values and goals with your activities. What things are you doing in your life that is not supportive of the life you want?
Tip 5 - Activity versus Productivity - Are you often very busy but not really doing anything productive? Pareto principle rule applies here. Find the vital 20% of things you do on a daily basis that produces 80% of your key results. Free up 80% of the time. We are often consumed by what is urgent and unimportant which does not get us anywhere.
Tip 6 - A Flexible Plan - Have the end game in mind. Decide what needs to be done by when, what resources are required and work backwards. Yet do leave enough room for surprises and contingencies Are you able to switch and adapt should something unplanned happen in your week? Having a plan is good, being able to adapt is better.
Tip 7 - Quality Time - Since you only have limited amount of time, make sure you think creative, healthy, happy thoughts, feel love and compassion, do good and show kindness. One genuine act of love and kindness will accomplish much more than a life time of idle thoughts and empty chatter.
Apply these tips and you will be more discipline with your use of time. If you can be in a community with other single moms and share lessons learnt applying these tips, you will be spending quality time building up yourself and others. Find a community in your area and get supported.
Louisa Chan is a Certified Professional Coach who partners you for your success. You can claim a free strategy session with Louisa and an audio on tips for living the stress-free lifestyle. For more tips and a support group for single mothers that you can join from home, contact Coach Louisa.
As single moms, you handle two persons' work in the same 24-hour day. How are you going to fit more into the same amount of time especially with limited resources? Here are some tips for you:
Tip 1 - Get it all out on Paper - Write down everything you need to get done this week. They do not have to be in any order and if you can group them together in categories, that will be great. For example: work, household (bills, bank, rent, groceries), children (child care, school work, PTA), self care (hair cut, exercise, massage, personal development, taking walks).
Tip 2 - What Matters Most - From the earlier list, choose only those that matters most (only the urgent and important). Do not include anything that does not support your healthy happy, stress free lifestyle. With limited time you will have to let something go if you want to add something into your life. Be very careful of your choices, there isn't enough room for everything.
Tip 3 - Do versus Outsource - Out of the what-matters-most list, decide what has to be done by you and what can be outsourced to others. Some of the routine maintenance work can be done by others while new projects and tasks that require creativity will be best done by you.
Tip 4 - Prioritization - Do you keep putting off the more important tasks, while you go accomplish the not-so-important activities? Align your values and goals with your activities. What things are you doing in your life that is not supportive of the life you want?
Tip 5 - Activity versus Productivity - Are you often very busy but not really doing anything productive? Pareto principle rule applies here. Find the vital 20% of things you do on a daily basis that produces 80% of your key results. Free up 80% of the time. We are often consumed by what is urgent and unimportant which does not get us anywhere.
Tip 6 - A Flexible Plan - Have the end game in mind. Decide what needs to be done by when, what resources are required and work backwards. Yet do leave enough room for surprises and contingencies Are you able to switch and adapt should something unplanned happen in your week? Having a plan is good, being able to adapt is better.
Tip 7 - Quality Time - Since you only have limited amount of time, make sure you think creative, healthy, happy thoughts, feel love and compassion, do good and show kindness. One genuine act of love and kindness will accomplish much more than a life time of idle thoughts and empty chatter.
Apply these tips and you will be more discipline with your use of time. If you can be in a community with other single moms and share lessons learnt applying these tips, you will be spending quality time building up yourself and others. Find a community in your area and get supported.
Louisa Chan is a Certified Professional Coach who partners you for your success. You can claim a free strategy session with Louisa and an audio on tips for living the stress-free lifestyle. For more tips and a support group for single mothers that you can join from home, contact Coach Louisa.
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