Tweet

Your Sanity Savers - Have Time for the Good Life - Part One

Guest post by: Stephanie Calahan

Article Overview: Interruptions can be a huge time waster! Today there are more ways than ever to get interrupted, someone at your door, phone, cell phone, pager, instant messaging, email and more. Gain control of your environment by practicing some of these tips. The following tips will help you gain control of your time and your sanity!

Your Sanity Savers - Have Time for the Good Life - Part One

Interruptions can be a huge time waster! Today there are more ways than ever to get interrupted, someone at your door, phone, cell phone, pager, instant messaging, email and more. Gain control of your environment by practicing some of these tips. The following tips will help you gain control of your time and your sanity!

Make Appointments With Yourself

Make appointments with yourself to work on a project that is important to you. Make this your ‘me’ time. Try to do this weekly, if not daily. By actually putting the activity on your schedule/planner/calendar, you are more likely to actually do it.

Make Strong Use of Memory Joggers and Reminders

Lists, notes, alarm clocks, software with reminder functionality all are valuable tools to help you stay on task. Use them as much as possible.

Schedule "Office Hours" and Stick to Them

At work, establish office hours where you openly accept visitors and co-worker questions. If anyone unexpectedly drops by, reschedule them for your office hour time when possible. Eliminating unnecessary interruptions helps you maintain focus and get work done efficiently. Now, I understand that some may say that this idea is too restrictive and does not allow for an open-door-policy. I disagree. If you make sure to provide ample time for others to get in contact with you then you are available. You can always make concessions if the issue is an emergency and you might even be surprised at how many issues solve themselves if you are not there every time.

Do You Have Time for Interruption?

When you are interrupted, ask how long the interruption will take. Depending on the answer, determine whether you reschedule or handle it at that time. Explain that you are focusing on a project that takes deep concentration and that you don't want to loose your "groove." Most people will appreciate where you are coming from and be happy to come back at a more convenient time.

Could Someone Else Handle It?

When you are interrupted, ask if you need to be the one to handle the issue. If not, delegate the job/concern to someone else.

By having a solid plan for how to handle interruptions you allow your projects the time and focus they deserve.

Related Articles
  Sleep Mode saves Money
  How Much Is Your Sanity Worth?
  Double Your Money Every Year With A Managed Forex Account
  Your software is only a tool
  About Sales

Article Tags: alarm clocks, ample time, appointments, co worker, concessions, deep concentration, email, gain control, groove, interruption, memory joggers, open door policy, phone pager, planner calendar, reminders, sanity, schedule planner, time waster, unnecessary interruptions, valuable tools



Related Forum Posts
The Second Life Platform - Greetings! I'm not sure how many of you have heard of or are sensitive to Second Life and its related entities. However, Second Life is a fantastic platform to mimmick real life business operations in a real currency based economy. There are plenty of successful stories for creative individuals, but I'd highly suggest doing your research and appreciating Second Life for what it is, and what it isn't.
Re: UPDATES: New Campaign! New Layout! New Ideas! - We've also expanded the list for Contest and All-Time Leaders. It's great to now see David and Yinka on the All Time list and recognize the contributions they've made to the forums!
Re: The Second Life Platform - [quote="JBunion":fhe23fsu]Greetings! I'm not sure how many of you have heard of or are sensitive to Second Life and its related entities. However, Second Life is a fantastic platform to mimmick real life business operations in a real currency based economy. There are plenty of successful stories for creative individuals, but I'd highly suggest doing your research and appreciating Second Life for what it is, and what it isn't.[/quote:fhe23fsu] Hi JBunion, I've heard about the site. So are you currently a member? And more importantly, have you tried to open a store front in that virtual world?
No B.S. Time Management - A great book I read on Time Management is No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs by Dan Kennedy.
Re: Charge what you're worth - [quote="Tami Szabo":292ze3jd]People will pay you what you ask. Very few will ever up the price. You are the one who decided what you are worth. The key is that we believe our services are worth the price we are asking.[/quote:292ze3jd] Hi Tami, You're absolutely right. In "Think and Grow Rich", Jessie B. Rittenhouse says "For Life is a just employer, He gives you what you ask, But once you have set the wages, Why, you must bear the task. I worked for a menial's hire Only to learn, dismayed , That any wage I had asked of Life, Life would have willingly paid" (Napoleon Hill 35). I think the same can be said when setting prices on eBay or Craigslist, especially when people are trying to haggle you.


Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.

Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.

Tweet

Newsletter

Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!

Name:
Email:

Popular Articles

When Living the Dream isn't enough!

Selling On Ebay The Good The Bad And The Ugly

Web Design in 30 Minutes - Can this be Right?

Suggestions

Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.