Manage Your Business

Planning to be a Business Success Disclaimer

One essential ingredient for success in business is by setting priorities (by planning) for the more efficient and effective use of your time.

Remember... "If you fail to plan... you plan to fail!"

Put Pen to Paper!

Far too many people believe their memory is infallible and entrust loo much to the old grey matter. Many times they've tried this "writing things down" approach and it seemed to be a WASTE of time.

Make lists! Remember that "The shortest pencil is better than the longest memory!"

The WRITTEN list is the only way to put organisation, objectivity and self discipline into time management.

Writing forces precision, and serves as a reminder of something which must be done!

When it's put in writing the chances for confusion, misinterpretation or forgetfulness are reduced.

Mental Blocks? Trouble getting started? Procrastination?

Not getting started on a job? Tired? Lacking concentration? Not really willing to do it? Are you too close to the problem? Have you set priorities or do you constantly do the wrong and/or easy things?

"Procrastination is my sin,
It brings me endless sorrow!
I really must stop doing it...
In fact-I'll start tomorrow!"

This is a very similar idea to the system mentioned for handling paperwork.

Many businesses have a yearly planner. But, how many have a daily or even weekly planner? Like any system, it does take an effort to get started, but a daily "To-DO" list is a useful investment of time and pays big dividends because it helps you remember what MUST be done.

At the end of each day make a list of what you want to achieve tomorrow. Assign priorities for each item:
A - of high value - most important but often difficult to do and can't be delegated
B - medium value - may be important but not urgent, can be done later.
C - low value - easy to do & offers instant satisfaction but in the long run, achieves very little (many "C" tasks may be delegated or stopped altogether!).

then start with the high priority ones and stick with them until finished!

If you only have lime lo do some of the things on the list, at least the important ones get done first!

But, before you do anything, ask: "Why me? Could someone else do this?" Delegate wherever possible.

Most people waste most of their time and effort on activities which produce few worthwhile results. At work, 80% of your time is probably spent on achieving only 20% of the work done! (the Pareto Principle)

Some people like to wander around killing ants because it makes them seem very busy and important, but they mistake activity for accomplishment.

Although it is much easier to kill an ant, it's better to go hunting for Elephants... go after the big, high pay-off goals every day and spend less time killing the insignificant ants!

Recognise the time of day when you are most productive, and plan not to be interrupted during that time. Use that special productive time to really knock off the A jobs! Use that time for hunting elephants!

Get all those UNpleasant jobs done first - IF they are important.

If it helps, break large tasks up into smaller achievable ones.

That's another way where thinking about elephants can help... Instead of trying to eat the whole elephant at once, just first munch on smaller bits like the ears, trunk or tail... Breaking a large tusk (sorry) into smaller chunks makes it more achievable.

And.. when you do accomplish something - reward yourself for it!