With a new year upon us, many people make resolutions - otherwise known as goals. They plan to achieve something in the coming months that they've neglected in the past.
Goal setting is important in business as well. As business people we set goals throughout the year - where we want to go, what we want to accomplish, growth we want to experience. In other words, to attain success as we define it.
The key to reaching those goals is planning. If you want to reach your goals, you have to plan the steps you need to take to get there. Sounds simple, right? And it should be. However, this is the area most people ignore. They set their goals, and then get to the business of each day, never planning the process for reaching those goals. In the end, they may or may not reach their destination. They've left it to chance.
If you are going to take the time and energy to set goals, give them the attention they deserve. Set yourself up for success; for reaching your goals.
Steps to follow to reach your goals: 1. Once you have the goal, work backwards establishing the steps necessary to achieve the goal 2. Be specific regarding the steps you'll take to reach your goal 3. Follow those steps exactly 4. Be prepared to make adjustments to your planning where necessary 5. Visit your goals and your plan on a daily basis 6. Monitor your progress on a weekly and quarterly basis 7. Enlist the help and encouragement of others where appropriate
These steps seem basic. As Jim Rohn says, 'Success is neither magical nor mysterious. Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals.'
The basic fundamentals. The KISS principle (Keep It Simple Stupid). Don't make it more complicated than it is. Set your plan, monitor your plan and be prepared to make changes to your plan, if need be.
As this new year begins, make a resolution to create a plan for achieving your goals. When the year comes to a close, you'll look back on great growth, both personal and professional.
Copyright© 2006 Diane Helbig
For Home based business visit www.panda.ebiz4ever.com
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
10 Easy Time Management Tips by Barbara Myers
Many people mistakenly believe that time management is about squeezing more tasks and activities into a day.
Time management is actually about getting the important things done. It's also about learning to do things efficiently so you can ultimately accomplish more. Here how:
1. Focus. On a sticky note, write the important things in your life you need to focus on today. At home, attach it to your refrigerator. At work, stick it on your computer monitor. As projects come and go, you'll need to modify the list.
2. Write it down. If your head is full of clutter, you won't get as much done. "Scatterbrain Syndrome" is caused by too much data floating around in your head. Cure it by writing in a spiral notebook everything you need to do. If you're working on a task and something else pops into your head, write it down in the notebook.
3. Keep a daily to-do list. Write down the 12 most important things you need to accomplish tomorrow.
4. Make a daily schedule. You'll be more efficient. Look at tomorrow's appointments and meetings. Mark those beginning to end times in your calendar. Then review your to-do list and schedule time for your to-do's. Remember, only schedule 70% of your day. The other 30% will be filled with interruptions and emergencies.
5. Delegate. This is the most underused time management tool today. Look at your to-do list after you write it and ask yourself what you can delegate. Consider hiring college students for small tasks. Barter activities with neighbors and co-workers. Teach your kids life skills and enlist their help on a daily basis.
6. Multi-task the details. While it's important to focus on projects, it's also efficient to take care of simple tasks simultaneously. Cook dinner while returning phone calls. File while watching TV. Check your e-mail while listening to voice mail messages.
7. Group like activities. Keep a running list of errands and take care of all of them once a week. Return phone calls during a certain time period. Do all your computer work within a certain time period. It takes time to switch tasks so you'll save time by doing like activities together.
8. Organize your surroundings. The Wall Street Journal once reported that the average executive loses up to an hour per day looking for misplaced papers. You'll save time if you don't have to step over and look through clutter.
9. Analyze everything you do for the next week. Try to find a quicker, more efficient way to do things. Briefly work with a friend or co-worker to come up with ideas.
10. Read it better. Learn to skim information. Highlight important text for easier retrieval. Carry reading material with you wherever you go. Consider taking a speed reading course.
Copyright (Reprint Terms)
Copyright© 2006, Barbara Myers. All right reserved. For information contact FrogPond at 800.704.FROG(3764) or email susie@FrogPond.com.
visit www.alpha.ebiz4ever.com
www.panda.ebiz4ever.com
Time management is actually about getting the important things done. It's also about learning to do things efficiently so you can ultimately accomplish more. Here how:
1. Focus. On a sticky note, write the important things in your life you need to focus on today. At home, attach it to your refrigerator. At work, stick it on your computer monitor. As projects come and go, you'll need to modify the list.
2. Write it down. If your head is full of clutter, you won't get as much done. "Scatterbrain Syndrome" is caused by too much data floating around in your head. Cure it by writing in a spiral notebook everything you need to do. If you're working on a task and something else pops into your head, write it down in the notebook.
3. Keep a daily to-do list. Write down the 12 most important things you need to accomplish tomorrow.
4. Make a daily schedule. You'll be more efficient. Look at tomorrow's appointments and meetings. Mark those beginning to end times in your calendar. Then review your to-do list and schedule time for your to-do's. Remember, only schedule 70% of your day. The other 30% will be filled with interruptions and emergencies.
5. Delegate. This is the most underused time management tool today. Look at your to-do list after you write it and ask yourself what you can delegate. Consider hiring college students for small tasks. Barter activities with neighbors and co-workers. Teach your kids life skills and enlist their help on a daily basis.
6. Multi-task the details. While it's important to focus on projects, it's also efficient to take care of simple tasks simultaneously. Cook dinner while returning phone calls. File while watching TV. Check your e-mail while listening to voice mail messages.
7. Group like activities. Keep a running list of errands and take care of all of them once a week. Return phone calls during a certain time period. Do all your computer work within a certain time period. It takes time to switch tasks so you'll save time by doing like activities together.
8. Organize your surroundings. The Wall Street Journal once reported that the average executive loses up to an hour per day looking for misplaced papers. You'll save time if you don't have to step over and look through clutter.
9. Analyze everything you do for the next week. Try to find a quicker, more efficient way to do things. Briefly work with a friend or co-worker to come up with ideas.
10. Read it better. Learn to skim information. Highlight important text for easier retrieval. Carry reading material with you wherever you go. Consider taking a speed reading course.
Copyright (Reprint Terms)
Copyright© 2006, Barbara Myers. All right reserved. For information contact FrogPond at 800.704.FROG(3764) or email susie@FrogPond.com.
For Home Based Business
visit www.alpha.ebiz4ever.com
www.panda.ebiz4ever.com
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