Clients are always so curious about how I manage to get it all done. And it’s no wonder because now that I see it all down on paper, it does seem like a lot. But, before you think I’ve got it all figured out, let me be very transparent with you. I have a crazy number of emails in my inbox, many of which need answering. And every so often, a few things fall through the cracks. Hey, I’m human after all, but I’m better off than I’ve ever been before.
What I realize from coaching people over the years is that I have indeed figured out a few things about getting it all done, or at least, a lot of it done, while still having sanity and a lot of fun in my life. It’s all about BOUNDARIES around time, with others, but mostly with me.
I’m realizing you have to be RUTHLESS with your boundaries around time management, because no one else will.
One of my favorite books on this subject is Dan Kennedy’s “No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs.” I can’t tell you how amazing this book is. It’s actually become required reading for all my private clients looking to get more clients and make more money than they are making now.
Although I’m pretty good at getting things done, the “Time Management Techniques Really Worth Using” has changed everything for me. What Dan came up with should be universal materials for every one of us entrepreneurs and sole practitioners who wonder how to get it all done. I’m certainly even more RUTHLESS with my time than before using the following, direct from Dan’s book:
(A caveat: you may not agree with some of these, and that’s OK. Some of them are a little harsh. But just think about what your time would look like if you applied even 2 or 3 of these…)
- Tame the phone: You don’t need to literally jump every time the phone rings. Take few, if any, incoming calls; return calls at your convenience, instead of on-the-spot. (Most every call, even from a prospective client, can wait a half a day to be answered.)
- Minimize meetings: I implemented this technique several years ago and it’s worked wonders on my schedule. People (especially prospective clients) often want to meet me in person to talk about something. Problem is, it takes 15 minutes for me to get somewhere (minimum), an hour to “meet” and then 15 minutes to get back from the meeting. That’s an hour and a half! Instead, I now speak to people on the phone for 15 minutes and get just as much done. Amazing, you should try it.
- Practice Absolute Punctuality: The bottom line about this is, when you are absolutely punctual, it shows the other person you expect and demand they respect your time with the utmost respect. You can’t expect that others will treat your time with respect when you don’t show respect for theirs. (Most of us can afford to get better at this.) And beware of prospective clients who are late to initial consultations with you. It may be that they’re not trustworthy about other stuff.
- Make and Use Lists: You can’t get anything done when it’s all swimming around in your head, like a jumbled mess. Write it down and find systems to help you prioritize and get things done. There’s a lot out there on making and using lists effectively; find the way that will work best for you.
- Fight to Link Everything to Your Goals: Ask yourself “Is what I am doing, this minute, moving me measurably closer to my goal?” (I have this on an index card next to my computer, to remind me often.) Just the simple act of asking yourself this question several times a day will dramatically increase your productivity. You have no business doing stuff that’s not directly related to your goals. If it’s not moving you forward toward your goal, making you money or attracting clients, drop it or delegate it now.
- Block Your Time: It’s been said that one of the hidden secrets of people who consistently achieve peak productivity is that they make sacred appointments with themselves, appointments they aren’t allowed to cancel. You’ve heard me say this before, especially if you’re a private client of mine. In nearly every coaching call I have with someone, we create BLOCKS of uninterrupted time to get things done.
We’re talking blocks of time each day and each week for Client Attraction work, but also for certain projects that need to get done. If there’s a major task on my plate to get done, I’ll actually estimate how long it will take, and then put it in my calendar as I would a client appointment. I don’t allow myself to break this commitment. Try it. It works like magic and allows you to get so much more done than if you tried to squeeze it in somewhere between clients.
Your Assignment:
Go to Amazon.com and get yourself a copy of Dan Kennedy’s book “No B.S. Time Management for Entrepreneurs”, today. It’s that good. (He’s a little abrasive, but it’s all well worth it.) For $10.00, you can’t beat it. Start applying some of the steps listed above. I guarantee that the number of PRODUCTIVE hours you spend making money and attracting clients will increase dramatically. It did for me, BIG TIME. Ca-ching!
Fabienne Fredrickson, The Client Attraction Mentor, is founder of the Client Attraction System TM , the proven step-by-step program that shows you exactly how to attract more clients, in record time…guaranteed. To get your free Audio CD by mail and receive her weekly marketing & success mindset articles on attracting more high-paying clients and dramatically increasing your income, visit www.ClientAttraction.com.
On meetings, a useful tip that I use is that I reject any meeting that does not have an agenda. Meetings are for decisions, not for information-sharing. The latter can be done in an email, or ppt etc. As you get into a meeting, state up front the agenda, and what you expect to get out of it, and watch the time limit! If you make a meeting for an hour, it will last an hour. Even if you could have done it in 30 minutes.