We've all heard of 'Internet Time,' but I lived
it," says Kevin Dykes, the 29-year-old founder of AllianceBuilder.com, an Austin, Texas-based Internet
strategy and consulting firm. "Wasting time is the quickest
path to failure in this industry."
Believe it or not, though, Dykes wasn't always so
disciplined. Before he cofounded another company in 1999 called US
Creative, he was a time-scattered freelance Web project manager.
"Without a doubt, I was horrible at managing my time during
the business day," Dykes admits. "Like many
entrepreneurs, I would easily lose my focus and begin brainstorming
and researching my own ideas. It led to some trying
times."
Dykes' time-management struggle isn't unique, either, as
many of you could surely attest. And that can mean big problems.
"In many cases, entrepreneurs are busy putting out fires
instead of zeroing in on the core tasks that really count-the
things that result in real accomplishment," says Marty Foley,
a seminar speaker and author of the audio program How to Get
More Done with Less Time and Effort ($15, http://profitinfo.com/catalog).
"Lack of good organization and time management results in
undue stress and less time for family responsibilities. In the case
of entrepreneurs who get paid by their level of productivity, it
can also adversely affect them financially."
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What can you do if you're always burning the midnight oil?
It's pretty easy to get so caught up in the day-to-day grind
that you forget the things you wanted to accomplish when you
started your homebased business. Determining what your goals are
will give you a quick reality check and help you find some
direction. "Big-picture goals about where you want to go and
how you want to spend the time getting there are the key to
creating your life," Dykes suggests.
Once you've plotted your course, find a simple
time-management system that works for you. "You have to find
the methods that work with how you naturally think," explains
Dykes. "For example, I can't use a Day Runner or a
Franklin Planner according to the system they prescribe, but I use
the elements that make sense with how my mind works."
Is it worth it to find the time to learn about time management?
Dykes reports his strategy lets him have more fun and less stress.
"I'm living and enjoying my life more. The second benefit,
which provides a foundation for the first, is having greater
success in my business so I can build the life my wife and I want.
I am now able to accomplish much more in the same amount of
time."
Make It Count
Stop working 12-hour days! Time-management guru Marty Foley offers
these tips for slicing your schedule into bite-sized chunks.
1. Set goals. If you
don't know what your destination is, how can you get there?
Write down your goals.
2. Keep and use a prioritized to-do
list. Always tackle the high-priority tasks first, and
work on the low-priority ones as time allows.
3. Exercise self-discipline.
If you can stay focused on your most important priorities,
you'll see greater results from your time and effort.
4. Automate where possible.
With e-mail, use time-saving tools such as autoresponders and
filters.
5. Periodically analyze your
business. Assess which activities work and which ones
you should eliminate.
Lap of Luxury
Need to get out of the office but don't have a place to work?
The Lapdog by Shaun Jackson Design (www.sjdesign.com) is
a super-fashionable way to keep your computer in check.
Winner of a 1998 IDEA award, this padded carrying case unfolds
into a workplace in seconds. A nonskid surface keeps your laptop
cozy, while padded pockets add storage for cables and cords. The
Lapdog makes it easy to work anywhere. And for a suggested retail
price of $140, it's a whole lot cheaper than renting office
space.
Contact Source
Victory
Ventures.
Heather Martin (heather@successwks.com) is a
freelance writer and owner of SuccessWorks, an online copywriting
firm. Her time-management goal is to work a "normal"
40-hour week.
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