In the last issue of The LifeLine (The LifeLine Issue 2) I asked "What are you doing with your time?" I hope you took the TIME to do the "Time Worksheet" to see exactly where you stand. This week I have another worksheet for you (OH, NO, not another WORKsheet!) This one is adapted from Chellie Campbell's book The Wealthy Spirit: Daily Affirmations for Financial Stress Reduction. (Check out her book, it's great daily reader.)
So, here is the link for What's Your Time Worth.pdf. Download this worksheet, add your own activities not already on the list, count up how many hours a week your are spending, then put a value on the time you invest. What will this exercise give you?
It will give you an indication of why you are where you are! Hey, not saying where you are is bad. That's up to you to decide. But if you are you spending too much time on the wrong things for the value they are giving back, this is a solid way to see where the changes need to be. So, if you are trying to make more money, and you aren't spending any time marketing your business, that should give you a clue.
Like the saying goes, if you keep on doing what you've always done, you'll keep on getting what you've always got.
© 2007 Steve O'Sullivan
Business Success Coach and Speaker Steve O'Sullivan is the publisher of 'The LifeLine' bi-weekly small biz improvement ezine. If you're ready to make a serious impact on your business, make more money, and get more done in less time, get your FR*EE tips and tools now at www.SOSimpact.com.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Saturday, May 19, 2007
What are You Doing with Your Time?
Have you ever said these words; "I didn't have time to do that" or "I just don't have enough time to get everything done"? If not those words, something similar I'll bet! Time for a reality check. We all have the same amount of time each day, 24 hours (that's 1440 minutes if you're counting). That seems like plenty of time to me. And since we all choose what we do with that time, it seems more appropriate to say, "I chose to do other things with my time".
OK, now that I have your attention, may I make a suggestion? Start keeping track of what you really do with your time, and you may see why you aren't getting the most important things done, or maybe not accomplishing your goals. I have a worksheet you can download for *Free* from my website (click on this link) Time Worksheet.pdf that will help you track what your day really is like.
If you're faint of heart just try tracking one day. If you're really brave, try a whole week. Make sure to REALLY look at where you are spending your time. No more guessing, agreed?
Be sure to put down your TV time, commute time, long lunches as well as the activities that make you money and lead to your success such as marketing, face time or phone time with clients and prospects. Then rank your activities A, B, or C according to their importance.
Now, after you pick your jaw up off the floor, vow to never say "Oh, I didn't have time to do that" again. Instead replace it with "I choose what I do with my time and I am responsible for the results". So with all that extra time you have now, here is one suggestion that will make a huge change in your life.
Spend 30 minutes each day (about 2% of your time) reading books or listening to audio programs that enhance your self esteem, improve your business skills or develop more expertise in your field. In just one year you will have spent over 180 hours educating yourself! Now who says you don't have enough time?
© 2007 Steve O'Sullivan
Business Success Coach and Speaker Steve O'Sullivan is the publisher of 'The LifeLine' bi-weekly small biz improvement ezine. If you're ready to make a serious impact on your business, make more money, and get more done in less time, get your FR*EE tips and tools now at www.SOSimpact.com.
OK, now that I have your attention, may I make a suggestion? Start keeping track of what you really do with your time, and you may see why you aren't getting the most important things done, or maybe not accomplishing your goals. I have a worksheet you can download for *Free* from my website (click on this link) Time Worksheet.pdf that will help you track what your day really is like.
If you're faint of heart just try tracking one day. If you're really brave, try a whole week. Make sure to REALLY look at where you are spending your time. No more guessing, agreed?
Be sure to put down your TV time, commute time, long lunches as well as the activities that make you money and lead to your success such as marketing, face time or phone time with clients and prospects. Then rank your activities A, B, or C according to their importance.
Now, after you pick your jaw up off the floor, vow to never say "Oh, I didn't have time to do that" again. Instead replace it with "I choose what I do with my time and I am responsible for the results". So with all that extra time you have now, here is one suggestion that will make a huge change in your life.
Spend 30 minutes each day (about 2% of your time) reading books or listening to audio programs that enhance your self esteem, improve your business skills or develop more expertise in your field. In just one year you will have spent over 180 hours educating yourself! Now who says you don't have enough time?
© 2007 Steve O'Sullivan
Business Success Coach and Speaker Steve O'Sullivan is the publisher of 'The LifeLine' bi-weekly small biz improvement ezine. If you're ready to make a serious impact on your business, make more money, and get more done in less time, get your FR*EE tips and tools now at www.SOSimpact.com.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
How Bad Do You Want Change?
Here are a few things to consider while deciding which road to turn down next in your business.
Where the heck am I going?
How are the things I am doing now working for me?
How have I done this past year compared to what I wanted to do?
How will this year be different?
What am I consistently not doing that would have the greatest impact on taking my business to where it should be?
In the movie “The Secret”, Mike Dooley asks the question, “How bad do you want change?” I ask that question to myself often. My answer is, “I want it bad!” Then I answered the above questions......... hmmmmmmm. Thought provoking aren’t they?
I bet you read those questions without actually answering them or giving much thought to them, didn’t you? Did you write down your answers? Take a minute or two and do it. That’s right, do it right now! If you are a procrastinator, you may put this off till later or more likely never. Oooops, bet you don’t want change that bad, huh?
“Well, yeah, I want change” you say “but I want to keep doing what I’m doing now. I just want different results.” I refer you to Zig Ziglar's quote "One definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over expecting different results". If this is you, my advice is to quit! You got it, QUIT! Give up now, pick up what ever marbles you have left and go home.
Ouch! That hurt! My Mom taught me that honesty is the best policy. And that’s the honest truth. If you aren’t willing to change your thinking and your actions you are doomed to more of the same results in your business. And that’s fine if you are getting what you really want. Not fine if you aren’t. Change takes courage, commitment and help.
The fact is most business owners like you are great at their chosen field. You may be a great massage therapist, accountant, chiropractor, pastry chef or Realtor®. You may not be great at wearing all the other hats necessary to achieve the success you deserve. Or maybe you are good at wearing all those other hats, when you actually do it. There’s the rub. You have to do all of it, consistently, automatically, without fail.
I see two choices at this crossroads. Keep your hands on the wheel, bite the bullet, keep your nose to the grindstone - and try to work in that position. Or, get some help. I vote for getting some help.
If you are the type who knows what to do, but doesn’t do it, think about getting an accountability partner or a coach to keep you on track. If you are one who doesn’t know what to do, consider teaming up with other business owners for help and advise. There are mentors, consultants and coaches who can help get you started, point you in the right direction and keep you on the road to your chosen destiny. For the Jack of all Trades type business owner, it’s time to let go of the things you are not excellent at and get an assistant or two. Farm out the bookkeeping to the bookkeeper and focus on what you love, giving massages or baking your amazing pastry.
Go ahead and risk it. Make some changes, let go a little and start living again. If it doesn’t work, you can always go back to the way it wasn’t working before. Oh, and for you naysayer’s who think help is too expensive, guess again. A good coach, assistant or support person is worth their weight in gold. That’s right, the gold that should be yours.
Just remember the question, “How bad do you want change?”
I want it bad!
© 2007 Steve O'Sullivan
Business Success Coach and Speaker Steve O'Sullivan is the publisher of 'The LifeLine' bi-weekly small biz improvement ezine. If you're ready to make a serious impact on your business, make more money, and get more done in less time, get your FR*EE tips and tools now at www.SOSimpact.com.
Where the heck am I going?
How are the things I am doing now working for me?
How have I done this past year compared to what I wanted to do?
How will this year be different?
What am I consistently not doing that would have the greatest impact on taking my business to where it should be?
In the movie “The Secret”, Mike Dooley asks the question, “How bad do you want change?” I ask that question to myself often. My answer is, “I want it bad!” Then I answered the above questions......... hmmmmmmm. Thought provoking aren’t they?
I bet you read those questions without actually answering them or giving much thought to them, didn’t you? Did you write down your answers? Take a minute or two and do it. That’s right, do it right now! If you are a procrastinator, you may put this off till later or more likely never. Oooops, bet you don’t want change that bad, huh?
“Well, yeah, I want change” you say “but I want to keep doing what I’m doing now. I just want different results.” I refer you to Zig Ziglar's quote "One definition of insanity is doing the same things over and over expecting different results". If this is you, my advice is to quit! You got it, QUIT! Give up now, pick up what ever marbles you have left and go home.
Ouch! That hurt! My Mom taught me that honesty is the best policy. And that’s the honest truth. If you aren’t willing to change your thinking and your actions you are doomed to more of the same results in your business. And that’s fine if you are getting what you really want. Not fine if you aren’t. Change takes courage, commitment and help.
The fact is most business owners like you are great at their chosen field. You may be a great massage therapist, accountant, chiropractor, pastry chef or Realtor®. You may not be great at wearing all the other hats necessary to achieve the success you deserve. Or maybe you are good at wearing all those other hats, when you actually do it. There’s the rub. You have to do all of it, consistently, automatically, without fail.
I see two choices at this crossroads. Keep your hands on the wheel, bite the bullet, keep your nose to the grindstone - and try to work in that position. Or, get some help. I vote for getting some help.
If you are the type who knows what to do, but doesn’t do it, think about getting an accountability partner or a coach to keep you on track. If you are one who doesn’t know what to do, consider teaming up with other business owners for help and advise. There are mentors, consultants and coaches who can help get you started, point you in the right direction and keep you on the road to your chosen destiny. For the Jack of all Trades type business owner, it’s time to let go of the things you are not excellent at and get an assistant or two. Farm out the bookkeeping to the bookkeeper and focus on what you love, giving massages or baking your amazing pastry.
Go ahead and risk it. Make some changes, let go a little and start living again. If it doesn’t work, you can always go back to the way it wasn’t working before. Oh, and for you naysayer’s who think help is too expensive, guess again. A good coach, assistant or support person is worth their weight in gold. That’s right, the gold that should be yours.
Just remember the question, “How bad do you want change?”
I want it bad!
© 2007 Steve O'Sullivan
Business Success Coach and Speaker Steve O'Sullivan is the publisher of 'The LifeLine' bi-weekly small biz improvement ezine. If you're ready to make a serious impact on your business, make more money, and get more done in less time, get your FR*EE tips and tools now at www.SOSimpact.com.
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