By Jeanie Marshall
Frequently, business owners say, "I don't have time to..." Often this is an excuse to justify doing something else or not doing anything at all. Taking time to consider the ideas on this list can transform your life.
Successful individuals already perform most of these, although even they can sometimes forget or fall into unhealthy habits.
Following are several tips to help business owners save time and increase success:
1. Take the Time to Plan--One minute of planning saves three minutes of work or re-planning.
2. Take Time to Organize--Your work needs a structure that reduces unnecessary, repetitive tasks and decisions.
3. Take Time to Set Goals--Goals tell you where you are going. When clearly identified and acknowledged, goals can more easily be achieved. When written, goals are more real.
4. Take Time to Schedule--A deadline that is not set might not be met. Set several intermediate deadlines to meet a major deadline, producing satisfaction along the way.
5. Take Time to Decide Priorities--Knowledge of the relative importance of all activities reduces reinventing a new system at the beginning of each task. Focus your attention on the important issues.
6. Take Time to Analyze Essentials--Although it is not possible to have all the facts all the time, it is important to review the essential ones.
7. Take Time to Reflect--Reflection can take many forms and can be inserted throughout the day for maximum effect. More than reviewing, reflection allows you to sort the essential items from those that are less important.
8. Take Time to Involve Others--Involve in the decision-making process those who will carry out the decision to yield dividends in individual commitment. These are the persons who have relevant ideas.
9. Take Time to Divide the Job--Many small tasks reach the goal in less time than one larger task. Additionally, it si more satisfying to achieve several objectives en route to your higher goals.
10. Take Time to Delegate--Distribute tasks to enhance others' experience and increase leverage. Be certain that the delegated responsibilities are meaningful and stimulating, not just the tasks you do not want to do.
11. Take Time to Explain Clearly--A few well-chosen words that clearly direct others avoid duplicate effort and disappointment.
12. Take Time to Review Your Work--Check your work as soon as you finish it. For more thorough review and correction, let it rest a while and review it again.
13. Take Time to Relax--Just a few moments can replenish you. When you are relaxed and refreshed, you are more efficient.
14. Take Time to Meditate--The journey within is increasingly more important when your life is hectic. Twenty minutes in true meditation each day enhances brain function, breathing, sleep, relaxation, response to stress and general well-being.
15. Take Time to Do It Now--Procrastination is a thief of time and confidence. Do the job now.
Good Luck with your business.
Jeanie Marshall, an Empowerment Consultant with Marshall House, specializes in deep transformation for individuals, groups and organizations. She may be contacted at Marshall House, P.O. Box 918, Santa Monica, CA 90406. The phone number is (310) 458-1172. You may Email Marshall at Jeanie@mhmail.com.
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