Time Management That Works

It's so easy as an entrepreneur to end up with a "to do" list a mile long.  And if we're not strategic with our tasks it can feel overwhelming and never ending.  Even though we are working, we may not be building our self, our business, or our income, which is incredibly frustrating.  We end up working and feel like were getting nowhere.

"Burnout doesn't occur because we're solving problems; it occurs because we've been trying to solve the same problem over and over."  Susan Scott

There are complete books on time management; complicated tools, one more thing to learn, and sometimes they work.  Often times those end up being one more thing to do and just because something worked for someone else, that doesn't mean it's the best tool for you.  So, what's the solution?  It's really simple.  Try this... then play with it and make it your own.Step 1 - What is it that you are creating, the desired result?  A big reason one's actions feel jumbled or we aren't sure what to do is we don't know where we're headed.  You have to decide.  It doesn't have to be a forever destination but decide something and stay focused on it for 30 days.If you're goal is to get 5 clients or pay the bills and you're focused on that or just acting without a focus, your actions will be much different than if you're goal is to make $250,000 and build a multi-million dollar business.  Stop for a minute and strategize steps for either of those and see how different they are.  (Really, take a minute to do that on paper).  See the difference?  Aha!  See, you're already getting the hang of it.With the unclear goal, you'll float around, not really know what to do.  You'll try and fail but your failures won't help you learn because you don't have a big picture that you're moving toward, you don't know what you are trying to learn.The second, you're goal is clear.  You'll know if you're working toward it or not.  It's big enough that you'll need to come up with strategy and leveraging, growing your skills... all of which will help you see you're goal is happening, you'll feel alive and inspired.  Even mistakes, when looked at as a step toward your goal, can feel like wins.Step 2 - Keep your Vision/Result in front of you every day.  Focus on what you are building.  Come up with a word or two, or an image as a reminder.  Keep it simple.  It doesn't have to mean anything to anyone else; it just needs to be powerful and easy to focus on for you.  Then look at it every day, think on it, imagine it... that end result you are creating.Step 3 - This is the time management step... on your daily to do list, only put your top 3 musts.  Those highest priority items that will support you today and take you were you're going.  List their priority level... 1, 2, 3 and do them.Remember, this is an idea and a framework.  The most powerful way to use it is to try it, check-in with your self and see how it's working, and change it around a bit to make it work for you.  If anyone tells you there is only one way to do things, run.  We all have a way... trust yours.  The more you do, the more powerful you will become in and through your business.First just give this a try.  Again...  The Power of Three:Step 1 - Decide Where You're GoingStep 2 - Keep Your Vision Alive and In Your MindStep 3 - Do Your 3 Highest Priority Steps DailyExtra Credit - Give your self credit for what you've done, feel good about it.Keep it simple and find things that work for you.  Often, the most simple tools are the most powerful, and used by the smartest people... like you.Remember... go for your dream, make your difference, live an Extraordinary Life!If you have any questions or comments, please ask below.  And I'd love to hear how it goes... Lisa