Getting Organized PART 5 of 6—Get Rid Of Time Wasters

Identify Your Time Wasters

Wow, Have you every ended a busy day and looked back at your to-do list to find that you got absolutely nothing done?

This happens to the best of us from time to time but if this is something that you are experiencing on the daily basis there are some things that you need modify. Each one of us has a “weak” area that allows for time wasters. As a small business owner/solo-preneur working in a home office or solo, you can easily drift off in areas that you use as tools to increase your revenues and without realizing it, these tools can quickly become a time waster if you are not careful.

Some of the top examples include:

Email

As an important means of communication, email is essential in today’s market place for growing and conducting business. You can easily get caught up in spending an enormous amount of time checking emails throughout the day.

Solution- Set specific times to stop and check your email.

Perusing the Internet

How many times have you gone to check out some information or do some online research and “drifted” to an unrelated site that took you away from the task at hand?

Solution- Keep a small note pad next to your computer. When links seam interesting write them down to return to after hours. If you are still interested you can spend all the time you want browsing.

Family and Friends

Sister, brother, children, parents, best friends, neighbor, or co-worker. They all fall into this category. I do not think I need to explain.

Solution- Whether at the office or home office you must establish some “do not disturb” hours. If you are more productive before lunch, announce that these are your productive hours and you are not to be disturbed before 12:30. In order to be a treated like a professional you need to set hours like a professional.

Not being Organized.

If you are not organized, you can spend a lot of time searching for a piece of paper or a receipt.

Solution- File and take care of things as soon as possible. Read all you can on getting organized.

Telephone

Another great business tool, but be sure you know how to get off the phone when the conversation is just idol talk when you have things to do.

Solution- Like email, set specific times during the day to return and make phone calls. Also, start with the highest priority and work down your list.

No Set Times

Just starting you day with no set time frames allows for lack of urgency with each task and makes for drawn out projects.

Solution- Set time frame for each part of your day. Knowing that you only have 30 minutes or two hours to complete a task will add value to your time and will keep you productively working to complete tasks.

Not Having a Specific Daily Action Plan

We have all heard that “a business that fails to plan, plans to fail”. I am not sure how many times I have heard this saying. One thing that keeps this saying alive and well is the truth behind the words. If you have no action plan you will not be using your time to its fullest. Translation: you will be wasting time.

Solution- Get an action plan today. Start with a simple to do list. Anything is better that nothing.

Each one of us has a “weak” area that is an open door to time wasters. No matter what your door is open to, the results are the same. Time you cannot get back.

Spending your time wisely will lend to increased profits, organization and productivity.