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09.05.08 Practical Time Management Tips  By Stacy Karacostas If You're a Small Business Owner Strapped for Time, Here's an Easy Way to Get More Done Every Day. No Outsourcing or Employees Required! A few years ago, when I was working as a full-time marketing copywriter, I noticed something interesting.Even though by nature I'm not much of a morning person, I can easily get twice as much quality writing done between 6:00am and noon than I can between noon and 5:00pm. The same thing holds true again between 6:00pm and 9:00pm. But from noon until 5:00pm, I swear getting anything good written is like pulling teeth. And I can find just about anything else to do to put it off (fold laundry, call my sister, make a snack). So nowadays I do my best to schedule my day's activities around my peak productivity times. I write in the morning, and skip answering emails until the writing muse runs away. Then I do things like go to the bank and post office, handle project management, follow up with leads and clients, and so on in the afternoon. The result is that I'm way more productive overall. And I have fewer times when I feel that deep down desire to avoid doing whatever needs to be done.
You can, and should, do the same. If you're like most people, you've probably developed a pretty set time management routine that's become a habit. But it might not be the best way to use your time. I recommend keeping track of the tasks you do and when you do them, every day for a few days. Then try switching it up. Instead of answering emails first thing, do your client contacts instead. Or write your next newsletter. Again, keep track of what you get done. Chances are, just by paying attention, you'll start to notice you're better at certain tasks at certain times. And that at other times you'll avoid doing those same tasks like the plague. Then all you have to do is plan your activities to take advantage of the peaks and valleys in your productivity. Not only will you get more done, but you'll be happier doing it too! I'd love to know how you maximize your own time. Let me know by leaving a comment below. Comments About the Author: Practical Marketing Expert Stacy Karacostas, founder of SuccessStream Sales & Marketing Solutions, specializes in taking the stress, struggle and confusion out of growing your small business. She's the author of the 2-page marketing plan workbook Putting Your Business on the Road to Success, and The Small Business Website Bible. Stacy also writes the fun and informative Marketing Junkie blog and Bright Ideas weekly newsletter. For more practical, business-building wisdom help yourself to a copy of her free report The 7 Deadliest Small Business Marketing Sins... Are You Guilty? |
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