By Sharon Housley
http://www.feedforall.com
and http://www.recordforall.com
© 2009
Small business owners frequently juggle
a variety of roles within their companies. Creating a balance and effectively
managing available time is extremely important to most small businesses. In order
to economize and make the most of the available time, you should implement a time
management plan.
Get Real
Set realistic goals
that are not unreasonable or unattainable. It can be very demotivating to consistently
feel as if you have not accomplished anything, simply because you regularly fail
to meet unreasonable goals that you've set for yourself. By setting more realistic
and attainable goals, you will feel a sense of accomplishment, and often be motivated
to work harder.
Know Yourself
When are you most
productive? Use the hours of the day when you are most productive to tackle the
more difficult tasks. Manage your schedule so that you use your time most effectively.
Start
Sometimes
the thought of starting a new project is overwhelming. In fact, the start itself
can often be the most difficult part of a new project. Prepare, plan, and then
take action! Dive in feet-first and start the project. Do not let the size of
a project intimidate you. If necessary, large projects should be broken down into
multiple smaller ones, making it easier to get started.
Benchmarks
Set
benchmarks to monitor your ongoing progress. Benchmarks are particularly important
for large projects or complex tasks. Use these benchmarks to assess the feasibility
of your planned time, and make adjustments when necessary.
Plan
For The Unexpected
Unfortunately, things often come up that will disrupt
your carefully laid plans. Try to think of disruptions as challenges rather than
roadblocks. Do not panic when the inevitable unexpected delays occur, and do not
be reluctant to adapt and revise your planned schedule when such disruptions force
you off your timetable.
Evaluate
Evaluate your
progress on a regular basis. If you find that a specific task consistently wastes
an inordinate amount of time, devote some brainstorming time to find different
and possibly quicker ways to accomplish the same task.
Rewards
Build
rewards into your schedule. Plan to "treat" yourself after you tackle
and complete an unpleasant or particularly daunting task. If you enjoy certain
projects more than others, use those enjoyable projects or tasks as rewards for
completing the less-enjoyable ones.
Keep A List
It
may sound silly to keep a list. Of course you know what you need to do... but
maintaining a list will help you stay focused. Additionally, the act of crossing
a completed task off the list can provide you with a morale-boosting sense of
accomplishment!
Self Discipline
When you hear
the "fun things" in life calling, remain disciplined. Adhere to your
schedule, and resist the urge to become distracted during scheduled work hours.
If you've done your time management planning correctly, there will still be time
to enjoy those fun things.
Take Breaks
Do not
forget to take regular breaks. Go for walks and get fresh air when necessary.
Sometimes a short walk will refresh you, and you may find yourself even more productive
as a result.
Realize that some days are simply going to
be more productive than others. Managing time effectively can be very difficult,
but it does become easier the more you do it.
