Do you sometimes feel like there just isn’t enough hours in the day? Or no matter how hard you try you just can’t seem to find the time to fully develop your Online Business? Well, if you’re anything like me then the answer is probably a resounding “Yes!”
You see Time is the Ultimate Resource that we have at our disposable. It’s finite in nature and cannot be extended or manipulated – we have 24 hours a day and it’s up to us manage our time effectively so that we can accomplish all that we hope to do. It’s imperative to incorporate good Time Management into your daily routine and this can make all the difference between the success and failure of your Online Business aspirations.
It all comes down to planning. In my opinion this is one of the most neglected areas that many marketers face. This little procedure, though simple in nature can have a profound impact on whether you are going to achieve your goals and on the length of time it is going to take you. So it is well worth you while to sit down for 10 mins, get a cup of coffee and think about what you want from your online empire….
Think about what you want to achieve? – it could be to give up your day job? make enough money to go on a trip or many, many other goals. It’s important to have the end game in sight when starting a journey as it helps to focus the mind on the road ahead and how to get from point A to point B in the most efficient way possible.
When you go on a road trip its helpful to look at a map so that you know where your going and can get to your destination is the fastest time possible. It’s the exact same with business – you have to know where you want to be at the end of the process and then start to work backwards from there!
So what I would like you to do is ask yourself these simple questions….
Where would you like to be in 12 months? 6 months? 3 months time from now? Go on, right it down, the more the better!…
Are you starting to get it? Yes, it’s very hard to convince yourself that your goals and ambitions are achievable without a well thought out plan to get your there. People often get frustrated when they don’t see the results of their labor and this often results in them giving in too early. By breaking down your long-term aim into shorter time frames, each with their own landmarks for you to achieve it makes the possibility of reaching your end goal that much more real.
There is a realization there that it is possible! And by following all the baby steps that you have laid out in your plan that you will get there – and that the journey along the way will be far more enjoyable as you see yourself achieving all those mini-goals along the way.
So please, take the time to sit down and jot down your plans/dreams/ambitions for the next 12 months. Once you have them down on paper they become real and you can start working towards them in a systematic and progressive fashion!
I hope you now have an idea of just how powerful planing and time management can be in getting the absolute maximum out of your limited Time each day! I’d love to read about your goals and ambitions so leave a comment and tell me where you plan to be this time next year!
Yeah Noel, planning for the future is the best way to manage our day-by-day actions. We can steer our focus on the important tasks that will drive us towards our goals, as long as we focus on them!
I like to use the GTD (Getting Things Done) methodology to achieve this kind of focus. By first listing everything that I have in mind, plus all the little and big project I’d like to start or finish and then my long term goals. After that I’ll review my task list and integrate with more ideas that came up when thinking about my objectives. Then I’m off doing my little tasks for a better future! 😀
Hey,
I like that GTD methodology – think I’ll have to steal that for myself:) I think everybody (or at least everybody should) have a little system like that for keeping on top of things and staying productive.
If you are utilizing a system like that in your day to day routine then you’ll be amazed at how much you get done in such a short space of time. I don’t want to work all the time, I just want to work enough so that I can afford to have the lifestyle that I want and I really believe that Planning & Focus are 2 Key components in maximizing your Time to the fullest.
Thanks for sharing that with us Luca!
Best – Noel.
Hey Noel,
Good post man! It’s really important that people realize that we all have the same amount of time each day, so it’s always funny to me when I hear people say things like “I don’t have enough time”… It’s the worst excuse in the world, but it is just that – and excuse! Time management is a skill that has to be developed if you hope to be successful, and just like everything else in life it can be learned and mastered, and has to be in order to become successful and still have a life.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Paul
As always thanks for the thoughtful response Pauly – great to get your 2 cents on it! It’s a good point you make, we all have the same amount of hours in the day yet how come some people are able to accomplish so much more over that timeframe??
You hit the nail on the head with “Time management is a skill that has to be developed if you hope to be successful” I couldn’t have put it better myself. I’m still early days in trying to master it but I’ve already noticed a strong increase in my productive time. I killing my To Do List and my Daily Did Sheets are looking good 🙂
Onwards and Upwards I hope for all!
It is incredible to think that we humans have the same defecit in time management. I wonder if it has always been like this!
Sometimes when I am being the most productive I will have a ton of ideas popping into my head. It use to be distracting, but now when I do have a random idea come through, I will either quickly write it down, or even record into a microphone on my phone to focus on later during a designated time.
I also find that I have to incorporate planning into my plan (if that makes any sense) or I will never be able to sort out everything that needs to be done.
And of course….Timers
I live by multible timers throughout my day to keep me focused and and KOTOBOT myself!
Brooklyn
I think the age of mobile devices is perfect for us – at least now we can no excuse for not taking note of any idea’s or Eureka moments that happen to come our way 🙂
Even if you don’t act on those idea’s immediately it’s always good to have them and develop at a later date…
I must actually invest in a new Timer myself Lol Those things are powerful – you set it and then work non-stop during your allotted timeframe and stops you from getting bogged down in anyone task. I must actually check ebay for one now:)
Thanks Brooklyn – Noel.
Hi Noel
Interesting post, I have just finished setting out my plan for 2012. Started at year end then just worked my way backwards.
It was great to get in down on “paper” and out of my head 🙂 All I need to do now is put it into action 🙂
I have bookmarked your blog and will be coming back for regular visits
To your online success
Paul
Thanks Paul – great to hear that you’ve put your plan down on paper. It’s actually kind of Liberating because once you have it written down – It becomes Real!! And there’s no going back!
Just remember it’s baby steps everyday that will get you to where you want to be. Rome wasn’t built in a day but I’m sure progress WAS made everyday.
I look forward to reading about all your successes in the coming months 😉 – Noel.
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