My Most Important New Years Resolution
As I ponder my goals and resolutions for the new year, I keep coming back to one thing. There are several areas on which I want to focus, like getting into better shape, stress management, and keeping my work organized so I don't get behind with my various businesses. As I look at those areas, I see a common thread: time management.
If I can improve my time management skills, it will take care of pretty much all of those areas. My biggest excuse for not exercising is not having the time. I've combatted that by buying 25 and 30 minute workout DVDs on the theory that anyone can spare that much time in a day. Still, I'm so overwhelmed that sparing half an hour seems as impossible as sparing a whole day.
Stress management is the same way. Some of the things I try to do include getting a monthly massage, meditating daily, and getting out for a walk. But once again, lack of time has been getting in the way. Then not being able to do my stress management activites results in even more stress, and I'm stuck in a vicious circle.
I love the fact that my businesses are successful, but that success comes at price. I often slip behind in my work, and that costs me business. For example, I have a specialized travel agency that's pulling down a decent sum of money even though I hardly publicize it. It made a lot more in the past years when I was able to devote more time to it. I know there's a lot of lost revenue there, and I could easily boost the sales if I could just spare more time. Unfortunately, some of my other businesses have firm deadlines, so they end up taking priority.
I can't magically add more hours to the day, but I'm hoping to come up with some organizational strategies to improve my time management this year. My schedule is out of my control to some extent, since I cover media events for one of my businesses, and those often pop up with little notice and take up a big chunk of time. Still, I know I can find ways to work around it, and if I can just wrestle my time and get it under control, I know my other resolutions will follow.
Recent Comments
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Barb, this is the dilemma we all face, time and how we use it.
This is a hypothetical question only. Who is more likely to continue to be successful, someone who puts 25% of their time and resources into each of four businesses, or the person who focuses 100% on ONE business until it is so successful that it is time to start a second business.
It is okay to have multiple businesses, but the key is to build them one at a time, not
maintaining and trying to build them all at the same time.
I think the idea of diversifying is fine for our financial portfolios and investments. But when it comes to building a business, I see many marketers trying to hedge their bets thinking that if one business fails they have another one or two to fall back on.
I can't blame anyone for thinking that, the way the Internet is when it comes to long
term stability.
You are obviously highly organized and productive and it is natural to want to add more goals to our list of accomplishments.
Only today, Dave posted a link to an article about Goals versus Schedules. I'm really glad I read that article. You can get the link at Dave's WA blog here:
https://my.wealthyaffiliate.com/dmag99/blog/goals
I think the article is worth reading and will help you.
~Jude
Jude, I think you kind of said the same thing I did, only more eloquently, lol. We've all read comments from new members who built a bunch of websites, without even knowing how to build the first one, never mind more! And then they are overwhelmed. I totally agree with your comment about conquering one to the point where it doesn't take so much time, and then moving onto another venture.
Great stuff! All items mentioned are important...I think if you don't let it get to you too much when you fall behind, laugh about it, get a good night's sleep and try again the next day.....you will be much better off AND your stress will lower itself!
All the best! Ken
Puhhhhh, I'm getting all stressed out reading how your day is;-). Sounds if you can't spare 30 minutes in each day, you live a life where you need to slow down and find out what is NOT so important after all.....Hope the DVD's works for you, and I wish you a Happy and Prosperous New Year.
You are right, Partner. Sometimes it just boils down to prioritizing. Not everything on our list has equal importance.
If you mean "time", there is nothing more that we all have in equal quantity. If you fill your life with so much activity that it becomes a burden, then you are obviously just "doing too much". A good life is to find a balance in all we do, why would all team sports have "a time-out" so they can rest? Our individual lives should be no different if we are to live long, happy and joyous lives.
You are right, we all have the same amount of time, it is just finding the balance and finding out what is important and what not, that is my main aim in 2014.
We all have the same amount of time and it is a huge struggle figuring out what to do with it.
I think that the first key to time management is the understanding that all we really have is this moment. Not yesterday and not tomorrow. No regrets and no wishful thinking.
The second key for me is to know what things are most important in my life. Having time to spend with family, friends or travel are the most important moments in my life, so I try not to get road blocked by clutter.
On the one hand, if you have lots of different businesses and they are successful, you are doing something right. On the other, 100% of your time only goes so far. The more you have to juggle, the less attention, and probably less effectiveness for all that needs your time. That's the reason that I am not too fond of "multitasking", that all business expect from employees.
Can't you outsource some of the work that is "busy" with the site that is already developed and bringing in customers you can't finalize? Not to give access to your total business or anything like that -- but if you could farm out the part that is getting stuck maybe that would work. Just a thought.
Yes, you can outsource through sites like elance. Jusbe sure you read everything and that you post it. They don't have to have the ability to post, just email their work to you and you can approve and post.
stop wrestling with time - it will always win, and in the end, it is going to kill you.
love it, do not fight it. Remember, as you go through the "events" and "happenings", that there is but one time - Now. You plan a future event - Now. When the time comes for that event, you experience it - Now. When you consider past events, you are considering them - Now. Now is all. Focus on Now, and time will expand for you!
Sorry if esoteric, but I haven't time to post the whole explanation of this...
that is coming soon to a website near you!
cheers!
Dave
Can't wait to read the full version! Just the little bit you said here makes a lot of sense.
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All of these comments have said what you need to hear. But, I have a tip....your health is very important. Doing too much and stressing will cause your health to go downhill fast. Take my word for it.