Who's Grabbing Your Time... And What Are You Going To Do About It?

Have you ever found yourself saying "I just don't know where the time's gone" ... "I've got nothing done"...

"There's too many things to do and not enough time to do it"?

Well, you're not alone.It seems likes it's a universal disease that's infected its virus into the majority of people. But, do you know what?... there's a number of people who have simply mastered this elusive TIME THING.

What are they doing different? How do they see the world? What can we adopt and apply into our own lives?Well, to begin with, let me tell you that the simple acknowledgment that there is aTIME issue, sets the mind whirring into SOLUTION MODE.See, you can't change what you can't acknowledge.

And that principle is applicable to every single thing we can think of in life that we want to change.If we're rubbish at managing our taxes, we need to acknowledge it, and then go about finding a solution to make things better...If we're unhappy with the sales letters that are going out to sell our products and services, we need to acknowledge it and either make ourselves better at writing, or hire someone who can do it for us...

If we're juggling with two projects to work on at the same time, we need to acknowledge that we are indecisive and need to get help in sorting which would be a better option...The next thing we need to do is to ask is; "Where exactly does my time go"?

Quite simply, the way to know exactly where your time is going, is to keep a little running diary where, at every half hour intervals, you insert what you're doing.This may seem a little mechanical and regimented at first, but if you do this for 21days you'll find that it starts becoming automatic.

And, I'll guarantee that you'll be shocked at the amount of time wasting, unproductive 'day dreaming' and the amount of 'gossiping-by-the-water fountain' you actually engage in!

What do I mean by 'gossiping by the water fountain'?That's a phrase that can be used to describe a whole number of time-wasting activities.Such as...... replying to nonsense emails that you know have no bearing on your business, or, your life... reading articles or news items that you know is being read for simply killing time... talking on the phone with people where there is no agenda or time line for the call to finish... literally yapping outside the water fountain on topics that are meaningless and are just spoken for the hell of it.

These time vampires are what you need to be aware of, for these killers will sap your time, dry.The traditional approach to handling things is where you're expected to be constantly and readily accessible to everyone, at anytime.

To support this practice, there's the idea that you need to acknowledge all your emails instantly...reply to all phone calls within 5 rings... get the postal communication replied to within 2 days... answer all mobile and text messages immediately from prospects...

Can you see how simple it is for entrepreneurs and small business owners to quickly and easily get stressed?See, it's all because of the simple shift of being controlled by time, and not controlling time, yourself.In fact, here's the ultimate in being a slave to technology and to letting time control your most private of activities:It's this:Carrying a conversation on your mobile phone when you're in the toilet!

And guess what; I've had the unfortunate privilege of hearing a person who's obviously on the toilet seat, making the most unpleasant noises in the process... whilst on the mobile phone at the same time! Amazing!Have you ever heard of anything so desperate?Now, super-smart entrepreneurs and savvy thinking business owners conduct business in ways that typically rub against the normal ways of doing things.Here's a sample of how they do things differently, how they approach time, differently.

They only take scheduled phone calls...They have their operations on voicemail...They have certain days when the phones are answered 'LIVE'...They communicate mainly by fax. (Email is outlawed, as there's a tendency to for people to write endlessly with email. With a fax, there's a more disciplined approach to written communication)...Personal visits are limited to coming to the owners place of business, and then moving onward from there.(That way, if the prospect is late, other business can be conducted. If there was a meeting in a restaurant, and the prospect was late, valuable productive time, escapes)...

Certain tasks are set against the clock. (Writing sales letters, creating marketing campaigns are all set to a deadline, to the clock)What do you personally feel about some of these time saving strategies?My suggestion to you is to look at how you're spending the time you've been allocated. Do you think you need to alter the way you look and use your time? Do you feel that the way you've organised your time presently, could be altered and improved upon?

See, not all of the above time saving examples will appeal to everyone. Though, see how many of the above you can include and incorporate into your business, and, your life. Notice the changes. Notice what works better.

See if you're getting more done in less time. See if your intended projects are getting off the ground quicker, because of this new appreciation and acknowledgment of time.In fact, why not take a project you're currently working on, or you intend to work on, and treat it like it was a secret operation that has to get completed within a certain time frame.

Use any or all of the TIME controls mentioned above. Plan it like it's a military project in that you've got no option but to go forward with it or you'll get blown up by the enemy if you stall.Use everything that you now know to help you get the highest achievement medal for making this secret operation, a stunning success.

And... once you've got this project under your belt, you'll find that you're automatically able to treat all future projects with the discipline and productivity they deserve.

Can you think of a better use of your time for the projects that are just sitting on the shelf of your mind?Go ahead, plan to pin that achievement medal on your jacket, soon!


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Paul Lowe from TheOnlineMarketingMentor.com shares valuable marketing information for online businesses. He also offers free online training on how to start your own internet business. http://www.theonlinemarketingmentor.com