I started my home-based business last year and while I`m doing well in regards to obtaining business, I`m having a heck of a time staying organized.
I`m not at the point yet where I can afford to hire an office assistant. What types of things do you do to keep yourself organized? I want to get this under control before too much time goes by and it`s beyond repair.
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I use the Uncalendar, full size, 3-ring version -- it is a very flexible organizer/calendar, and I can keep all my other paperwork with me as well. That handles the time-based stuff.
Then, I use a Ten List system for my to-do list. I keep a master to-do list (sometimes in the hundreds of items) and make a Ten List of the next ten things to do on a post-it, stuck to my planner. I knock off those ten items, and then make a new ten list.
Finally, I keep all my active files in 3-ring binders so that nothing gets lost or put in the wrong file.
Hope this helps!!
Molly Donaldson
I use a daily planner with a "to-do-list" for each day. I also listen to time management audio seminars I have. There are several suggestions in both of these seminars. First, set a specific time to work just like any job. Two, limit distractions when you are actually working.
Three, don`t constantly let others dump their problems on you that they can resolve. I know a supervisor for example who is buried every day in other people`s problems. He is so busy taking care of their problems, he isn`t getting his work done. By the time he gets back to his work, he`s missed deadlines or has fires to put out.
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The older we get, the more excuses we make for not chasing after our dreams. But truth is, goals are attainable at any age.
Three, don`t constantly let others dump their problems on you that they can resolve. I know a supervisor for example who is buried every day in other people`s problems. He is so busy taking care of their problems, he isn`t getting his work done. By the time he gets back to his work, he`s missed deadlines or has fires to put out.
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The older we get, the more excuses we make for not chasing after our dreams. But truth is, goals are attainable at any age.
For me, I use a to-do list just like any others and I allocate specific times to get certain tasks done. For example, I won`t check my inbox for the rest of the day after the email time is over. It might also help if you have a separate space in your home where it is only for work.
As a marketer, I also track which of my marketing activities generate the most revenue or clients for me. With the data, I prioritize each marketing activity according to the number of clients, visits to my blog and subscriber that each of the activities got me.
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http://www.SproutGeek.com - The #1 Blog for Small Business Owners, Startup Entrepreneurs and Marketers
As a marketer, I also track which of my marketing activities generate the most revenue or clients for me. With the data, I prioritize each marketing activity according to the number of clients, visits to my blog and subscriber that each of the activities got me.
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http://www.SproutGeek.com - The #1 Blog for Small Business Owners, Startup Entrepreneurs and Marketers
Thank you for all of the wonderful feedback!
I have a great time management binder, at least, on the surface, it appears to be great. A Franklin Covey daily organizer system with various calendars, task lists, budget worksheets, etc... I need to train myself to use it, find a system that works for me & stick to it. I feel overwhelmed when I see all that it offers. Too often I find myself carrying legal pads around to jot notes on and I`m now carrying 3 legal pads, each with a zillion notes, in no particular order.
You also pinpointed one of the problems I run into every single day: checking email too often. Very rarely do I receive an email that`s so urgent that I can`t wait until later to respond to it, yet, I find myself constantly stopping to check it and then it leads to me doing other tasks that require me to sit at my laptop for too long.
I`ll put together my time management game plan this weekend so I`ll be ready for next week.
I`m in the process of setting up a private work area so I hope that will help as well.
Thanks again!
I have a great time management binder, at least, on the surface, it appears to be great. A Franklin Covey daily organizer system with various calendars, task lists, budget worksheets, etc... I need to train myself to use it, find a system that works for me & stick to it. I feel overwhelmed when I see all that it offers. Too often I find myself carrying legal pads around to jot notes on and I`m now carrying 3 legal pads, each with a zillion notes, in no particular order.
You also pinpointed one of the problems I run into every single day: checking email too often. Very rarely do I receive an email that`s so urgent that I can`t wait until later to respond to it, yet, I find myself constantly stopping to check it and then it leads to me doing other tasks that require me to sit at my laptop for too long.
I`ll put together my time management game plan this weekend so I`ll be ready for next week.
I`m in the process of setting up a private work area so I hope that will help as well.
Thanks again!
Kendra, it seems like you are well on the way to becomming organized. I got some very helpful tips from the thread too. I'm glad I stopped by.
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JMariah, poet
I would add picking up the audio book, read the book or take the seminar for GTD or Getting Things Done. I have been a big fan since it came out, plus the company I work at full-time uses it for all their managers. I really think it is great.
I would say, really rethink the personal assistant. There are companies that will do allot of that work for you, so offload it to another small business. I would rather pay someone else to do tasks I do not do well or do not like to do. Then I can focus on charging others for that found time doing something I enjoy or do well.
You never know, the company or person you hire to take those chores off of you may be your next client or they may have a pool of clients they can share. Some of it can also be off-shored if you have no one locally to do some of those tasks. Like the company your man in India or eLance. Who knows maybe even someone here.
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I am only starting to get organized. My best tool is my new mobile with a to-do list. I have to say that recently I have dedicated set times to each activity. This is working very well. The day goes really quick. I think if you keep trying the habit sets in.
There are a lot of things that need to be organized. Starting from your life down to the career you are facing every single day. But that what makes life so meaningful. You are taking the challenge on a daily basis. You just have to pick the right choices to avoid mistakes. Always try to learn things. Never ending of learning I guess. Keep your goals high.
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Being organized when having an at home business is one of the most complicated things I've ever done. I work from home everyday and it seems that it can be hard at times. Each day I have a specific schedule designed and a certain action plan developed from beginning to end.
Staying organized is key to running a business from home and it is definitely a great thing to have to be successful from beginning to end. No business can run smoothly if your day to day tasks can't even.
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