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Among all humans, from the President to the beggar, time is one factor that remains the same. We all have exactly 24 hours in a day so why is it that some people are so quick to get results and others take forever? You have all heard that time is money so let me share with you 3 ways to accomplish more on a daily basis.
1. Stop WASTING time!
This is perhaps the quickest and easiest solution to having more time but one of the hardest to consistently accomplish. It is so easy for independent internet business owners to begin surfing the web, and as each progressive page appears they get a little bit further off their original topic. Research quickly turns into pointless surfing. Although, it was probably through some degree of Internet surfing that you found this post, so let’s just say, make sure you keep the surfing on the right topic! The extent to which you deviate from the things you must get done in a day’s time plays a direct role in the amount of time you must spend in the office, and the amount of income that comes into your business. Think about how many extra rounds of golf, or hours at the pool you could fit in by just staying on task when in your home office.
Sticky notes are fabulous for this issue. Remind yourself to stay on task! Pointless browsing also applies to forums, blogs, and networking communities as well. I know, I know, it’s so easy to get caught up in the Facebook and Twitter phenomenons. I’m not saying you should not network on these sights. By all means, I think we all know the potential of social media, but make sure the friends you are adding (at least during your work hours) have serious networking potential and you can both mutually benefit.
2. Focus on Income Producing Activities
You must be persistent and consistent with your income producing activities. Your goal should be to decrease the amount of wasted time (through pointless web surfing, networking for fun, etc.) and increase the time spent on activities that are directly making you money. Income producing activities, at least for many home based Internet business owners include, advertising, contacting leads, following up with leads, and collecting decisions. If you are not focusing on all of these areas your business will suffer. Work on improving your marketing, improving your skills as a business owner, and speak with potential business partners. Many times aspects of your business such as market research, product research, personal websites, and some parts of your marketing campaign can be outsourced to maximize your time.
3. Your Business Grows as You Do
One of the best pieces of advice I have ever received was from an extremely successful business man who said, set aside one hour per day for yourself. He called it his ‘Golden Time.’ This could be while you are working out, but basically you need to ignore your cell phone, computer, etc. and focus on you. This is a time during which you become clearer on your goals, analyze what is working in your business and what needs work, consider new money-making ideas, and learn new things. While it may seem like you don’t have the time to incorporate this into your day, consider how much time you waste by being off topic and not really sure of what you want to accomplish next. That one hour of time allows you to focus on your goals, create a plan of action, and help you to expand both your business and yourself through new ideas.
The motto that I have adopted is FCA Everyday! Focused Consistent Action will get you results. Maximize your time spent in your office by staying focused on income producing activities and be sure to set aside time for yourself to grow! Be focused make it a great day!
Add your thoughts on this post below and feel free to offer suggestions for time saving strategies! Don’t forget to share this post with friends if you liked it! 
Jennifer May
Spunky Jones
Lori Robertson
Edward
Heather Taskovics
Wendy Hewlett
Kim Pottle
Diane L Fisher
Ken Pickard
Chris Bernardo
September 3rd, 2009 at 10:22 am
Hey Amanda,
Great post, Amanda. My business never really started taking off until I made sure I was always doing something every day that was income-producing. Whether it was writing articles, placing ads, whatever. Good advice.
September 6th, 2009 at 2:23 pm
Hi Amanda,
This is a great, no nonsense approach to time management. God knows it’s so easy to become distracted from our income producing activities! I find that when I do these things first, and leave networking and internet tasks for later in the day, I’m much more productive
Live Free,
Kathy Jodrey
September 8th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
HI Amanda,
This is such a wonderful contribution. Thanks for some solid advice on a topic
that I always need help with. Great job on you blog so far.
Blessings and light,
Buff
October 1st, 2009 at 12:38 am
Amanda…these are some great tips for staying on task. Some days are harder than others to stay on task but your tips are right on for helping to accomplish more in the same time frame.
< Aaron Wyssmann
Aaron Wyssmann´s last blog ..Killer Business Coaching Contest
October 6th, 2009 at 10:15 am
Focus has never been my strong suit…and I love the idea of sticky notes to keep me on track. In my world I’m going to let reading blog posts be part of my educational and motivational time! However, this can get out of hand, so setting up categories (i.e. blog reading, blog writing, promotion, etc) and a time limit for each would be helpful as well. I’ve recently started scheduling my time in outlook to guide me and I’ve noticed that when I plan my day I don’t get distracted as much.
Thanks for the awareness!
~ Kim, author of Numb No More
http://www.JaneCares.com
Kim Pottle´s last blog ..How to Be Your Own Hero
October 7th, 2009 at 9:11 am
Amanda – Great advice, we always need the reminders. It’s important to do the most productive income producing “chores” at our most productive time of day. And doing the ones we HATE – let’s get those done first and out of the way. The day seems to go much smoother then.
Great website, Amanda. You are very inspiring for our community.
Thanks.
Kat
Kat Krug´s last blog ..An Unexpected Visit
November 8th, 2009 at 8:36 pm
Oh how it is so easy to get distracted in our days. So many things around us to take away our attention from getting the main thing done. I have considered that we should keep the main thing the main thing. When one focuses on the main things with great passion and desire to achieve it then it is always able to get completed. I also have made a point of making quick short time frames to work in. Like 15 min, 30 min, and at most 1 hour. This works well for me. Hope this can help others.
Make it a great day!
God Bless!
February 24th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Hey Amanda,
It is amazing how easy it is to get side tracked and by the time you realize you have spend the last hour surfing the web instead of working on productive activities for you business. It takes dedication and focus to stay productive every day. It is best to write down what your day is going to consist of the night before and to work on the tasks that you dislike first. That way you are less likely to push it off to the side and never complete the task.
Have a Great Day!
Codi
Amanda Reply:
February 26th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
Hey Codi! I really appreciate you stopping by the blog and leaving your wonderful thoughts! Let me know if there is anything I can do to assist you!
May 4th, 2010 at 4:38 pm
Hi Amanda,
Loved reading this…#1–I’m guilty! I have found myself getting sucked in deeper and deeper at times, and then realize that I’m back to square one. What should I really be focusing on? Now, I have the answer, thanks to you! I loved reading this post…makes so much sense.
Thanks!
Trish McLendon