Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

A couple weeks back, I joined a group that is trying to "get to the next level".  To participate in this group I am having to track my tasks, my time, and evaluate how I am conducting business.  Now that I am focusing on increasing my business my "to do list"/task list can rival St. Nick`s Naughty and Nice list. Thankfully I don`t have to be a rocket scientist to understand that I need to manage my time more effectively because if I don`t, it will manage me.   

So my question to you is....what helps you or what are you doing to manage your time so you can grow your business and still enjoy spending time with family and friends?

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Nicole Champagne
Email: influencialexpectations@gmail.com
Cell: (734) 262-3730
Soar With Influencial Expectations!

My `enjoyment` level is pretty low right now. Well, no, that was worded badly.

My `free time` is nil right now. I am working pretty much 24/7 and it is kind of hard.

I actually wish that I had ways to manage it better, but I`m not sure that is possible in my current life/business/self stage. I think the key word in all of this is `management` - that is, how to get efficient with how many hours in a day you have.

I do have to force myself to stop and play every once in a while, or my husband starts whining. And as for sleep ... well, maybe when I`m dead?

Here`s one topic/tool that can help, a "prioritization grid."
Then we did a discussion on "To Do" lists, limiting them only to 5 items.

Those might help. What it comes down to is what do you intend to do in life, not each day. What`s your number one vision---what you want out of life? If you`re truly clear on that, then the basic question to ask yourself when you`re faced with any task, any problem, is "What can I do in the next 20 minutes about this problem?"

If you can`t do anything in those 20 minutes, then move it into the future.

This really hit home with me.  It`s difficult sometimes to see past the moment when you feel the daily pressures building.  This is great advice, thanks! 

One of the best strategies I have found for running a successful business (instead of letting it run me) is taking a few minutes each morning to prioritize and plan my day.  I schedule my day in 15 minute increments along with what time I will stop working.  I am more efficient because every minute of the workday really counts for me.

And when the day is done, I make a list of things to schedule for the next day. It`s simple, but it works for me.

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Rosanna Tussey
Owner
New Mexico Candle Co.
http://www.nmcandleco.com