I once read that crisis is change happening. Do you agree with this statement? If you really stop to think about it when faced with adversity do you take the path less traveled?
We all struggle with this. Whether it's changing insurance agents or having to let go of a once "key" employee. Something that you'll often hear me say is "Successful people are those willing to do what others won't." It may be as simple as working on Saturday to stay ahead of the competition or turning the T.V. on mute, it has to be on right :), and picking up a great book or reading a blog to learn something new.
As my generation gets older the deck is stacked against us. Unless we are willing to learn faster and work longer, there may be nothing left to retire with at 65. What is the solution you ask? Taking the bull by the horns and Making it Happen. In Michigan right now there is more opportunity now than ever. My partner Nathan Mayes and I are running around telling everyone who will listen that this is The Millionaire Maker Market.
How to manage your schedule and stay stress free
In 2008, staying on top of things and being able to successfully manage your schedule is essential if you want to remain stress free, a schedule is all about planning your day more efficiently which ultimately ensures that you get everything accomplished that you're trying to. The best way to do this is to list your time and tasks in order of priority and determine what top priority is and to set out goals in your life that you want to accomplish. It's true the devils in the details, but don't keep gettin' ready to get ready, understand?
Determining Your goals and priorities
In order to be able to manage your time more efficiently and get the most out of your day you have to be in control of your life and decide exactly what it is that you want out of life and what you need to do in order to get what you want. Next you need to manage your priorities efficiently; you do this by deciding what is more important to you. Start chopping off the bottom, less important ones. I'm not saying don't do them, if they still need to be done appoint someone else to do them. The next step is analyzing what you do with your time by finding out exactly how much time you spend on a particular task in life, a journal will help you greatly with this part and you should make a list of your schedule every day for 2 to 4 weeks and determine exactly how long you take on certain things. Some of the things you should include could be work, studying/learning, exercising, sleeping and relaxation, once you have done this you can then go on to evaluate the use of your time and decide if you are spending your life wisely
Matching available time with your priorities
To manage your time and make your day more efficient you need to take a look at the detailed list you prepared and use your time to match your priorities. As well as taking into account the amount of time you actually spend on each task you should also ask yourself if you are spending enough quality time on a task. There are times when my partner and I sit back with a cup of coffee from 4:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m. and all we do is dream build and mastermind. Make sure that you are adding value all the time you are spending. A good example of this would be are you studying/learning when you are likely to take in more information, or do you fit it in whenever you can? If you are leaving studying until the end of the day, are likely to be tired and not concentrate as well as you would earlier on in the day, or maybe at 5:00 a.m. ?
As Dan Kennedy says "Stay away from Time Vampires."
Tips for managing your time more efficiently
Break down large tasks into smaller ones and tackling each individual part one at a time can ease the stress considerably than facing one larger task. You can't eat a whole cow in one bite!
Get rid of routine tasks, if a task is done just out of routine instead of necessity then eliminate it if possible. Outsource it to your assistant, or better your virtual assistant.
Look at your habits to see if they could be changed, maybe you could do certain things different ways and save yourself some time in the process. Getting you clothes ready the night before for example.
Evaluate yourself to determine if you are a morning person or night person and organize tasks to use whatever time suits you best. In 2008 you can do a lot of work when other are still sleeping.
Learn to say the word “NO” when asked to do something for someone, its okay doing favors but it can take considerable time from your day. Train your business acquaintances to e-mail rather than call. it may take 15 seconds to answer an e-mail, but 15 minutes on the phone with possibly less effective results.
As most of you know I certainly believe in relationship building. It's what I spend 25% of my day on. I couldn't invest in Michigan foreclosures without all of the contacts that I have and friends that I've made over the last 3 years. All I'm telling you is you must be in control of your time.
Dylan Tanaka
http://www.reiaofmacomb.com/
http://www.oaklandbusinessforums.com/
http://www.prettymihomes.com/
http://www.weoffertoday.com/
http://www.wealthinrei.com/
