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If you've been doing Internet Marketing for any length of time, you'll know how easy it can be at times to do nothing, but still be on the computer the entire day.
When I first was transitioning from my part time sales Job at a computer store 2½ years ago to full time internet marketing, I would struggle with this a lot.
Basically there would be days where I would be at the computer from the minute I woke up to the minute I went to bed and yet at the end of the day, I had accomplished very little.
It's a common issue with small businesses actually, specially those who are doing fairly good. Once you hit that comfort zone level of profit, you tend to slow down a bit.
Recently however I have been teaching myself to get a lot more done, and it's been great. Income is up, free time is up, and overall, it's much better this way.
So here are some tips for helping yourself to not only ACT busy but actually BE busy and do productive things.
Lists... For the Win
First, write a to do list. I take a little bit of time usually in the morning, before lunch, just to sit and think quietly what I need to get done.
To help myself get more organized and know what needs to get done RIGHT NOW, I usually read my email first and any email that I don't reply to or need to focus more attention on, I keep open in my task bar until it is finished. Keeping the message open is a great way to remind yourself - specially during those "transition" times where you are in the process of finishing one job and moving on to the next.
After the To Do list is written, I put a star next to the most important or urgent ones. After the urgent issues, I focus on "What will make me the most revenue." Lastly, I get to the other issues.
Starting Time - 10 AM
Another way that I've become more productive is by scheduling a starting time to work.
When I first started my full time at home job, I would sleep in until whenever I would wake up. It was like heaven. I hate waking up early.
Now, I realize any more than 8 hours adds nothing extra in terms of energy, etc and overall I feel very energized on 8 hours of sleep. So I set my alarm every morning to 9AM and start work at 10AM.
Now I have a bit more incentive to go to bed at a normal time (1AM) so that I can get my full 8 hours.
I am trying a bit to shift this one more hour 12 - 8 instead of 1 - 9 but it's a hard transition for me.
Plan Ahead
Lastly, plan for your next business move.
Start to think of what you can do NEXT in your business to take it to the next level.
This might be adding another successful campaign. This might be moving into another area of business that you're seeing a need for. Whatever it is, know what direction you want to go.
After all your "to do" lists are finished, knowing what to do next will help you continue on that "full steam ahead" mentality.
So, how do you stop from ACTING busy and actually BE BUSY?
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Basically there would be days where I would be at the computer from the minute I woke up to the minute I went to bed and yet at the end of the day, I had accomplished very little.
It’s like you’re reading my
diaryjournal!Hahahaha! I know how it can be…
Glad I’m not the only one.
Lists are key to helping me be productive.
Here is another one, check email/stats at set intervals. Say 10am, 4pm, 10pm. Constantly refreshing stats, email, etc… is silly and non-productive.
Great tip! I’ll have to try that! Thanks!
This was killing me as well! Its not the time you put in, its what you put into the time. I finally made this for my main screen, organization is key.
http://www.thebeaconstudio.net/background.jpg
Andrew – Cool desktop! I might have to make something like that…
I HAVE to plan ahead. Otherwise I will do absolutely nothing during the day. Great post Volk!
Setting goals and having them visible really helped me as well.
Yea, planning ahead is key for sure.
Thanks!
Wow glad to see I’m not the only one sleeping in I think 8 hours is good enough for me. I’m going to take on the challenge same as you 1am to 9am that way I get more work done also feel better at the end of the day.
Hahahaha – I just love sleep so much! One of my favorite things to do…
And stay away from the facebook….thats a time sucker….
oh and myspace too…sorry tom
First of all, I am jealous and I am not afraid to admit it. — 8 hours of sleep every night? I haven’t had one an 8 hour sleep in … well, lets just say a long time.
I like your schedule, I too live by mine. I feel they are essential to getting things done. I have a master schedule and leave open slots for the ‘unexpected’. Not that I do unexpected things during the open time slots but when the unexpected comes up I deal with it and then I move what I should have been doing to the open time slot so nothing gets overlooked (I am kind of anal retentive – but in a good way).
Great post. I find that creating a To Do list the night before works best.
When I wake up in the morning I grab some coffee and head to my PC. My To Do list is waiting for me and I jump right in and get going.
A always act like I’m working.Well I am.Hahahaha!
Jonathan I’m really enjoying your blog. So many of your posts are relevant to my situation. I find I am far more productive when I create a to do list as well. Then there is less of the in between time where you are deciding what to work on next. I do need to get better at working on a schedule though. I find I am all over throughout the day. Part of my problem is that I have too many websites so I don’t know which ones deserve more of my time.
Great advice, thank you Jonathan! I encounter the same issues (sleep in as late as possible, spending lots of time on the computer w/o getting anything done) and found this post very motivational.