Time Sucks

Time Management is one of the most important skills that an entrepreneur can master. It is difficult to be on your own clock, and easy to get sidetracked by activities that seem important at the time. Here is a sample list of activities that I found on Study Guides and Strategies. It is possible that not everything on the list applies to you but they suggest that you create a time value for each item on the list according to how much time you spend on each item in a twenty four hour period. After you do this for a twenty four hour period, discover your weak spots and try to schedule a typical week. At the top of your one week trial schedule write out and set your priorities.
Once you have figured our the biggest time sucks in your day, try to group them in a way that doesn't interfere with your prime time or money making activities. For instance instead of answering each email as it comes in, schedule specific times to retrieve and respond to email throughout the day.
Create a separate time to return phone calls based on importance, incoming solicitation calls can be delegated to a gate keeper or wait until there is free time. Try to return your client calls early in the morning and perhaps late in the afternoon, thus allowing for time to generate new business during the day.
Schedule your client meetings at a time when your clients or prospects are more likely to be relaxed, breakfast meetings and dinner meeting are perfect because it doesn't interfere with the prime time activities of your client so they are not as distracted.
Classes
Studying
Sleeping
Exercise/sports
Work/internship
Family commitments
Personal care/grooming
Meal preparation/eating/clean-up
Transportation (school, work, etc.)
Relaxing/TV/video games, etc. (alone)
Socializing/entertainment (with friends)
Other
By discovering where you need to improve you can then decide which technologies will help you become more efficient. Take a look at the Money savers Page and you will find over half a dozen ways to work from any location you choose. Since time is money the preceding exercise will help get you in shape.

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