Monday, November 24, 2008

Time Management In A Home-Based Business

By Mark Khoo

Don't we all want more money rolling in? Most people would like to start some sort of extra money-making project, especially at home. The problem is, not many of these people seem able to fit "a second job" into their time schedules. So how do you manage your time before you can start your money-making venture at home?

True, most people are busy, but extra time for some sort of home-based venture can be achieved. It's called time-management. It may mean giving up or changing a few of your favorite pastimes - such as spending time at the club or watching TV.

Think again. If you make it big with your extra income project, you will have all the time in the world for doing whatever you want to do.

Taking Your First Step

Firstly, sit down and list your daily schedule. When do you wake up? Then step-by-step, list everything you do each day.

Most people have about three hours each day that can be utilized in a more constructive or efficient manner. It will be worth it in the long run if you start to employ efficient time management. It all boils down to planning what you're going to do, and then doing it without backtracking.

Make a list of the things you want to do tomorrow and each evening before you go to bed. Schedule your trips to the supermarket or wherever to coincide with the other things you have to do, and with your trips to or from work. Organize your trips to take care of as many things as possible while you're out of the house.

Stop Shooting The Breeze

Take stock of the time you spend standing around shooting the breeze - especially the time you spend on the telephone - and eliminate all that isn't necessary.

Whatever chores you have to do at home, set aside a specific time to do them, and a specific amount of time to devote to them. Don't try to do a week's work in one big flurry. Just do a part of it, or one particular job each day, and you'll be amazed at your progress.

Take care of all your mail the day you receive it. Don't let those bills and letters pile up on you. If you're unable to pay a bill immediately, file it in a special place that's visible, and note on the envelope the date you intend to pay it. Answer your letters the same day you get them.

Time Is Yours, But It's Precious

The important thing is to think of time as your most valuable asset, because it is. So organize! Decide what you have to do, and what you want to do. From there, it's just a matter of arranging priorities.

Start to list and plan what you want to do, and then carry out your plans. And you'll discover that you'll find plenty of "extra time" for handling virtually any kind of home-based buisnesses.

All financially successful people are simply well organized . They do not waste time. That's their secret. Think about it. Review your own activities, and then see if you can't find a couple of extra hours in each day for more constructive accomplishments.

And A Time To Relax

Last but not least, when you're organizing your time and your business, be sure to put aside some time for relaxation. Make time for your family. You must not involve yourself in anything to an extent that you exclude other people - particularly your loved ones - from your life.

Taking stock of the time you waste each day, and from there, reorganizing your activities is what it's all about. It's a matter of becoming more efficient in the use of your time. It's really easy to do, and you will not only accomplish a lot more, you will also find greater fulfillment in your life.

Copyright © Mark Khoo.

About the author: Freelance writer Mark Khoo is also an independent editorial consultant. He is content editor of Writemart Blog, a site devoted to Internet marketing with informative articles, how-to tips and infoproducts for online entrepreneurs.

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