Manage Your Time

Managing your time is not just good practice but it is also good for productivity, organization and achieving success with your goals. By managing your time properly and efficiently you can create an organized life. It doesn't need to be overwhelming if you follow the strategies below.

 

Get Up Early

 

The most successful people are early risers and have a morning routine in place.

 

Morning routines often include:

 

• Meditation

• Visualization

• Exercise

• Reading/Learning

• Healthy Eating

• Planning/Prioritizing

 

A regular morning routine will ensure that you start your days successfully.

 

To Do List

 

Creating a to do list should be a regular habit undertaken daily. The best lists are 10 items or less to ensure that you can complete it. Don't forget to prioritize the items on the list and review it throughout the day. Checking off items as they are completed will give you a sense of accomplishment and motivation.

 

Sticky Notes

 

Sticky notes are ideal for displaying reminders of tasks, motivational quotes and visualizations. If you've got a pile of letters that need to be mailed and that's an item on your to do list, why not put a sticky note on top of the pile with a deadline for posting them? It'll serve as a reminder to get them posted and cleared out of your way.

 

Record It

 

Of course, you can record your notes digitally using note taking apps or in a text document, or using pen and paper but have you thought of recording them using a digital recorder? You can get free recording apps for smartphones. By making a voice recording you can replay the recording and listen to your ideas. This will give you the opportunity to listen from a different perspective.

 

Schedule

 

Create a schedule. Using an online planner such as Google Calendar will ensure that you are able to access your schedule on your smartphone, tablet or computer wherever you are. You can color code different categories of entry and share with friends, family and colleagues as necessary.

 

Use Pen and Paper

 

For your most important events, tasks and notes use the traditional recording method of pen and paper with a diary, planner or bullet journal. You can keep it with you at all times, it won't distract you with messages or run out of power. You'll also be able to flick through at a glance to see how much you've achieved, past or forthcoming events and outstanding tasks.

 

Prioritize

 

Be realistic. Not all tasks and events are created equal. Find a way to highlight events that are essential so that you can see them at a glance and be sure not to miss them. On your lists of things to do always prioritize them and complete the most important first. If there are items that aren't important or not time sensitive then considering moving them off your current list and on to another day. You can't do everything.

 

Delegate

 

If there are items on your list that aren't important then think about delegating them. You don't need to try and be a superhero and do everything yourself. Kids can tidy away their toys and when old enough learn how to load the dishwasher, set the table and do other simple chores. By enlisting the help of other household members, you can get more accomplished in less time.

 

Managing your time properly and efficiently is one of the keys to staying organized.

 

6 Essential Tools to Keep Your Life Organized

Creating an organized life, and maintaining it, isn't as hard as you might think. Of course, it will require planning and some time to set it up but once you've got the following six key tools in place you will feel more focused and in control of your life and time.

 

Paper Planner

 

Yes, even in the age of digital organization a paper planner does still have a place in your organizational tool chest. It doesn't have to be big and bulky or expensive. In fact, you might find that the latest trend for a bespoke bullet journal might suit you best. Your paper planner can include tasks and items that you want to keep a close eye on, as well as for making notes and lists.

 

On-line Calendar

 

In addition to the paper planner, an online calendar or app for your smartphone, is another essential. This handy tool will be with you everywhere that your phone goes and has the added benefit of being able to give you alerts for meetings and scheduled tasks.

 

Evernote

 

This handy tool is free but does have a paid option that provides more functionality. However, for most people the free version will be sufficient. You can clip whole webpages, URLs, create notebooks, share information, create draft documents and add pdf files. It is an online tool but has apps for smart devices that will allow you to sync your notebooks across all of your devices so you'll always be able to access your information.

 

Financial Planner

 

If you're using a bullet journal, then you may decide to create a financial planner within it. If not then you really need to create a dedicated financial planner in which to record your income, expenses and savings. You can keep a track of bills due with a monthly bill payment calendar to ensure that you never miss making a payment again. If you don't want to have a paper planner for your finances, then there are lots of financial planning and management apps available online. One such tool is Good Budget which is a free app for iPhone and Android.

 

To Do List

 

Your to do list is going to be an essential tool to keep your life on track, running smoothly and perfectly organized. Paper lists are great as you can carry them with you or display them where you can't miss them. There are also plenty of to do list apps that can help you create, monitor and organize your lists. Suggested apps are Todoist and Jamie's To Do which are both free.

 

My Fitness Pal

 

A health and fitness tracker can help you monitor your exercise as well as your diet. My Fitness Pal is a popular free online tool with Android and iPhone apps. It contains a huge food database for tracking what you eat and you can create a personalized diet profile.

 

These six tools can really help you stay on top of organization. There are obviously other tools that you may find useful and necessary in organizing your life.

 

5 Key Habits That Ensure You'll Always Start Your Day the Right Way

Starting your day, the right way will ensure that you'll feel calmer, happier and more productive from the get go. It'll also make sure that you don't waste any time searching for missing or lost items. Remember that habits don't happen overnight. They take at least 21 days to become ingrained into your normal routine so the sooner you start the quicker you'll become a well-organized morning person.

 

Tidy Up the Night Before

 

We've all been there when we've felt too tired to load the dishwasher, clear the counters or vacuum the family room. Spending a little time every evening tidying and cleaning away the dirt, clutter and debris from the day really will save you time and angst in the long run.

 

Make it a fun routine by involving all the family. Set a timer for 15 minutes and zip through those chores. Of course, if you're on your own it may take slightly longer.

 

Prepare Lunches in Advance

 

Food preparation takes time and isn't fun when you're in a rush to get to school or work. Spending time preparing lunches for all the family the night before ensures you all get a nutritious lunch time meal which will save you time and money.

 

Plan ahead so that you know exactly what everyone is having each day of the week. This will make sure you buy or make everything you need so there aren't any last-minute panics.

 

 Get Clothes Ready the Night Before

 

How much time have you wasted trying to choose what to wear in the morning? Too much probably and it gets worse if you have kids. Instead get everyone's clothes ready the night before. Make sure the entire outfit is on a hanger and that underwear, shoes and accessories are with it.

 

An even better habit is to organize the entire week's wardrobe on a Sunday with everything hung in day order in your wardrobe ready to be picked on the relevant day.

 

Write a to Do List

 

Write down all the chores and calls you need to do the following day. If they involve dropping off items at the dry cleaner, then bag them and put them by the front door. If you need to post letters or packages then bag them and put them by the door. Your list will make sure you know exactly what you need to do and by having any items ready you won't leave the house without them!

 

Bag It

 

Spend time putting everything you'll need for day in your handbag or work bag the night before. You won't need your iPad or laptop overnight so putting it in your bag or case before you go to bed will make sure you don't forget it. Any work documents or school books should be put into bags so that they aren't forgotten or mislaid!

 

If your children have gym class, football or another school or after-school activity then get the necessary kit ready in their bags before you head to bed. Put the bag by their school coat.

 

Starting your day feeling positive and organized really does have a major impact on the way the rest of your day pans out. A chaotic start is hard to recover from. By developing the routines above, you can be sure that you and your household will always start your day the right way.

 

5 Things Extremely Fulfilled People Do That You Don’t

Everyone wants to live a happy, fulfilled life, right? It’s a no brainer! Look around you and notice the happy people who seem to roll with the punches. No matter what life throws at them, they find contentment and meaning wherever they are. 

 

So how do they do it? What do extremely fulfilled people do that you’re not doing? Here are some suggestions. 

 

1. They know themselves

 

People who are content and fulfilled have a good idea of their strengths and weaknesses. They don’t berate themselves for not being perfect, but they focus on what they do well and work on the things they could improve. 

 

A good team needs people with different strengths and talents. If you’re an extrovert who loves people and organizing, you’ll excel at arranging functions, events, and conference. If you’re more analyst or a researcher, your strength is probably preparing reports or explaining data. 

 

2. They stay connected

 

Humans have a natural inclination to connect. Millions of years ago, survival depended on being committed to the group. People who are content and fulfilled in their lives tend to maintain healthy social networks. They stay connected to friends and family. They prioritize spending time with the people they love and have lots of support to rely on when things get tough.

 

3. They believe in themselves

 

People who grouse about their lives or are dissatisfied tend to have low self-esteem. They don’t expect things to go well for them and they stay in their unhappiness. Fulfilled people, on the other hand, have solid self-esteem and quiet inner confidence that life is pretty good. Confident people tend to have more friends and are more successful generally. Confidence sets up a positive circle that breeds more success, more happiness, and more confidence. 

 

4. They are grateful

 

A big difference people between who are content and people who are a Negative Nancy is that the happy people are grateful. Not just for their success but for everything in their lives. No matter what else is going on, fulfilled people can always find something to be grateful for. 

 

Gratitude is an excellent habit to cultivate. The more you focus on the good things in your life, the more good things there will be. Gratitude is energizing and positive and generates its own momentum. 

 

5. They have a purpose

 

People who are happy and fulfilled don’t just wait around for good things to happen to them. They have a purpose in life that is aligned with their values, and they just go for it. Extremely fulfilled people focus on doing what they feel they were made to do, what brings them satisfaction at the end of the day, and what makes a positive contribution to the world. 

 

5 Reasons to Create a Work At Home Schedule

Do you operate a website or blog that generates income through the sale of a product, service, or affiliate links? If so, you not only need to be a webmaster, but an online marketer.

 

As a website owner who uses a website to generate income, internet marketing is important to your success. For that reason, you need to implement it. If this is a new step for you, you may be looking for guidance. The first step is to familiarize yourself with popular internet marketing techniques. You can easily do this online or by visiting internet marketing forums. Once you know how to market your website or blog, you start to implement the techniques you learned. Unfortunately, this is where many new work at home people make costly mistakes.

 

To ensure you get the most out of your newfound work at home knowledge, you need to create a schedule. When properly complied and used, a schedule will increase your productivity. Remember, the more traffic you drive to your website or blog, the more your earnings potential increases. If that isn’t enough reason to create a schedule, continue reading on for five more.

 

1 - It Is Easy to Make a Schedule

 

An internet marketing schedule is essentially a detailed to-do list. What you do is start with times. Set aside blocks of times, like in one or two hour increments. For each time slot, write a task or two. This is what you want to do. For example, do you want to submit an article to a directory or send advisements to your followers on Twitter? If so, add to your schedule.

 

2 - You Have Many Options

 

Not only is making a work at home schedule easy, but you have many options. You can compose a schedule by hand, in Microsoft Word, or by spreadsheet. You also have the option of creating daily, weekly, or monthly schedules.

 

3 - A Schedule is a Guide

 

When you are familiar with work at home tactics, it is easy to advertise online. Unfortunately, many run into problems with distractions. It is easy to go from using the internet to research to reading the news or the latest celebrity gossip. To prevent this from happening, use your schedule as a guide. You want to avoid distractions, but if an interruption happens, don’t spend time trying to remember what you were doing or were about to do, just consult your schedule and get back to work.

 

4 - It Serves as a Source of Motivation

 

As previously stated, a schedule is essentially a to-do list with times attached. These times are important as they add pressure and serve as motivation. When you track your time with a clock or beeping alarm clock, you know when time is about to expire or has. When most know they only have X amount of time to complete a task, they tend to put forth more effort and increase their productivity.

 

5 - You Can Extend Your Reach

 

In terms of internet marketing, there are hundreds of successful tactics. You cannot implement them all in one day, but get the process started. When doing so, don’t place all your attention on one marketing tactic. Unfortunately, if you do not have a set guide to follow, you may make this mistake. The best way to market a website, product, or service is to spread your reach.

 

Cheap Ways to Manage Time

Are you an internet marketer? If so, you may spend all day on the computer. Unfortunately, the computer and the internet make distractions easy. For example, researching marketing forums for new ideas is ideal, but not if you spend hours carrying on personal conversations with other members.

 

To be a successful internet marketer, time management is important. Unfortunately, many new to the business assume time management is difficult or costly. Yes, it can be, but there are easy and affordable approaches you can take. A few cheap ways to manage your time are highlighted below.

 

1 - Create a To Do List

 

A to-do list is a cheap time management tool, as all you need is a pen and a piece of paper. If you prefer, your list can be complied in Microsoft Word or a spreadsheet. Each morning or the night before, create a to-do list for yourself. What tasks do you need to accomplish throughout the day? For example, do you want to approach webmasters for banner exchanges or research website page ranks to find the best advertising deals? If so, include these items on your daily to-do list.

 

When creating your daily to-do list, go into great detail. For example, step number one could include approach five webmasters for link exchanges. Once the task as been completed, cross it from your list.

 

Not only will a to-do list give you a set guide to follow, but it helps to promote motivation. 

 

2 - Create a Schedule

 

A to-do list is an easy way to manage your time, as you are provided with a list of what must be completed in a day. Crossing tasks from your list may serve as a source of motivation, if not, a schedule is recommended. Set aside a specific time frame for you to complete a task. 

 

Do you want to submit articles to directories you paid an outsourced writer to write? If so, set aside a specific block of time to doing so. For example, submit these articles between 9 and 10 am. By keeping an eye on the clock, you know when you are starting to fall behind, allowing you to pickup the pace.

 

3 - Use a Desktop Calendar

 

Creating a detailed schedule or to-do list is ideal for internet marketers with serious time management problems. If you are good at time management or staying on task, you can take a laxer approach. One of those approaches is using a desktop calendar.

 

Desktop calendars are large in size, enabling you to write various tasks on a daily slot, but without great detail. Do so. Each time you complete a task, cross it from your calendar.

 

Desktop calendars are available for sale online and in many local department stores and office supply stores. They tend to retail for under $5, making them an affordable way to manage your time.

 

4 - Use an Alarm Clock

 

An alarm clock is a cheap way to manage your time as an internet marketer, as you should already have one in your home. An alarm clock is ideal when used in conjunction with a daily schedule. 

 

As sited as an example above, you created a one-hour block for submitting outsourced articles to directories with back links. Set your alarm clock to go off at 10am. This signals that it is time to stop and start a new task or quickly finish.

 

5 - Think of the Money

 

As an internet marketer, you may work for clients who hire you to drive traffic to their websites or you may do the same for your own websites, blogs, products or services. Regardless of who you work for, it is important to think of the money. This can serve as motivation.

 

When you stay focused and on task, you do your job. That job is to drive traffic to a website, blog, product or service. Many times, this will translate into money. Remember the more you work, the more money you will make.

 

Consequences of Not Managing Time

Are you an internet marketer? Whether you sell your services as one or if you use internet marketing to promote a product, service, website, or blog you have, time management is key. In fact, if you aren’t properly managing your time, you may find yourself suffering the consequences. 

 

So, what are the consequences of not managing your time? 

 

You can fall behind in work. As an internet marketer, there are hundreds of ways for you to promote a website, product, or service online. A few quick examples include submitting content to article directories with back links, creating clever advertising signatures on message boards and posting, writing keyword optimized content, exchanging banners with other webmasters, and so forth. Since there is so much for you to do, it is easy to fall behind. Unfortunately, this can throw your whole day, week, or even month off course.

 

You can become unorganized. When you do not properly manage your time, it is easy to become unorganized. An example of poor time management is working without a schedule or a guide. When doing so, you may become distracted and then wonder what you were last doing or what you intended to do next. Do not let this happen. Instead, manage your time with a daily to-do list or detailed schedule, as these tools help to promote organization.

 

You can get overwhelmed. As previously stated, there are many internet marketing approaches to implement. To see success, you want to implement them all. Yes, this will take a lot of time, but it is more than possible to do. However, you must first have a good sense of time and management. If not, you may spend all your time focusing on one form of internet marketing, like buying advertisements, and completely neglect another, such as creating keyword optimized content for the search engines. Once you realize this neglect and try to fix it, you will be overwhelmed.

 

It is difficult to get “back in the game.” As previously stated, poor time management can leave you feeling overwhelmed. For many, once they reach this point it is the point of no return. If you allow yourself to get overwhelmed, become unorganized, or fall behind in work, you may want to give up for the day. Do not do this, as there another set of consequences for taking this approach. Instead, take a short break and regain your composure.

 

You can get distracted easily. Those with a good sense of time management try to avoid distractions, but they do exist. Those who have good time management skills learn ways to avoid or tone out these distractions so that they no longer become an issue. If this is a skill you do not have, learn it. If not, a telephone call that you shouldn’t even answer could leave you talking with friends or family for 30 minutes or more.

 

You do not do your job properly. Those with poor time management have a problem with distractions. As used as an example above, there are distracting telephone calls. Unfortunately, that is a pitfall of working from home, as people think you are always available for chat. When you are talking on the phone, you are not working or working properly. That is why it is important to eliminate all distractions. Do not answer the phone or ensure everyone knows you are working between the hours of 9 to 5 or so forth.

 

You can lose money. You have likely heard the saying “time is money.” This is true, but crucial for internet marketing. The more time you spend marketing your website, blog, product, or service, the more your income potential increases. So, if you aren’t properly managing your time, you may be losing money.

 

You can put your job at risk. If you sell your service as an internet marketer, it is important to produce quick and effective results. If someone wants their traffic or sales increased, they want it now, not in a few weeks or months. So, the quicker you complete your tasks, with an effective time management plan, the better results you produce. This can not only help you keep your job, but develop a long-term client.

 

Creating a Daily Schedule

Do you make money marketing or advertising online? If you sell a product or service online, it is up to you to make money. The advertising approaches you take, as well as the time and energy you put into those marketing tactics will depend on your income. Essentially, the more time you spend marketing, the more your income potential increases.

 

Since time management is important to your success, as an internet marketer, you may be looking for ways to improve your time use. You do have many options, including to-do lists, time management software programs, and an alarm clock. Each of these approaches do work, but you should try a daily internet marketing schedule. Once properly made and used, you will be pleased with the results.

 

Before explaining how you can make a daily schedule that you can benefit from using, it is important to know why you need to do so. As an internet marketer, you know there are hundreds of ways to market a website online. To maximize your success and your earnings, implement each of these steps. Unfortunately, there is not enough time in the day. This means you need to properly manage your time, starting with over the course of one day.

 

Once you decide to utilize a daily internet marketing schedule, you need to decide on how you want to do so. The good news is that you have multiple options. Three of your options include in a spreadsheet, with Microsoft Word, or by hand. Each method has its own pros and cons. For example, creating a schedule by hand is nice as you familiarize yourself with your tasks, but it can be a time-consuming process. Using a computer to create a daily schedule is quick, easy to read, savable, and printable.

 

If you want to create a daily internet marketing schedule in Microsoft Word, you can do so in list or chart format. In most cases, you will find a list easier. This is because you start with blocks of time. If you work a 9-hour day, you will need 9 columns in your table, which is difficult to manage and read. So, create a list. Start with a heading for each hour you work. For example, start with 9am to 10am. Under the heading, outline each task you want to complete. For example, write and 2 proofread articles to later submit to article directories.

 

If you want to create a daily marketing schedule in a spreadsheet, you have less control. This is because you are given premade columns and rows. You can extend the size of columns, but not rows. For that reason, spreadsheets are one of the less common approaches. Instead of taking the traditional approach and use columns for tasks, use the rows. Create bold headings at the front of each row for time blocks, such as 9am to 10am. In the proceeding rows, type what you want to do. You are limited on space, so use abbreviations.

 

If you want to create a daily marketing schedule by hand, you still have the option of creating a chart or a list. When creating a chart, draw a large box with 8 rows. These are for the 8 hours or so you work. Have on large column. This is where you can list your tasks for the day. For example, do you want to write 2 articles the first hour of work, market on online forums the following, and so forth? If so, add these tasks to your schedule.

 

When creating your daily schedule, you have the option to outline detailed tasks or to be generalized. A detailed example includes, buy advertisements for site X, site Y, and site Z. A generalized example includes buy 3 advertisements. Detail task lists are beneficial, but generalized lists can be used day after day. If you compose on your computer, simply just save and print again each day.

 

Creating a Weekly Schedule

Do you work from home? If so, your ability to manage time is important to your success. When marketing a website where you sell a product, service, or have affiliate links displayed, traffic can translate into dollars. So, the more you market the more money you make, but you must have good use of your time.

 

In terms of improving time management, there are many available approaches. Some rely on the use of to-do lists, others use desktop calendars, time management software programs, alarm clocks, and schedules. Each of these approaches are nice, but try a weekly internet marketing schedule. Chances are, you will like the results.

 

Before seeing samples on how you can create an internet marketing weekly schedule, it is important to know why. There are hundreds of ways to market or advertise a website online. You want to implement each of these steps, but it is impossible for you to do so in one day. That is why you need to rely on time management. It allows you to effectively work and produce quality results, which should translate into income.

 

The first step in creating a weekly internet marketing schedule is to decide how you want to make your schedule. Three options include by hand, in Microsoft Word or Works, or with a spreadsheet. Each method has its pros and cons.

 

When creating a weekly schedule by hand, you write everything out. This means that you are more familiar with all the items on your list. You will still need to consult it, but many like seeing their own handwriting.

 

When creating a schedule in Microsoft Word, you type as opposed to write. This is great if you have poor handwriting. If you quickly write a schedule, you may later be left wondering what it was you wrote. You don’t have this problem with typed schedules and to-do lists.

 

When creating a schedule in a spreadsheet, you gain access to one of the greatest organizational tools. Spreadsheets are designed to promote organization, so your schedule will be organized. As previously stated, typed documents are easier to read and reference than handwritten ones.

 

If you opt for creating a weekly internet marketing schedule by hand, you can create a list or a chart. A list may be easier. Start with large headings for each day of the week. Underneath each heading, write a task. For example, do you want to write five pages of web copy on Monday? If so, add that underneath the day’s heading.

 

If you opt for creating a weekly internet marketing schedule in Microsoft Word, you can also use a chart or a list. When opting for a chart, you are technically inserting a table. Have five columns for each day of the week. You can have as many rows as you want. The more tasks you intend to complete each day, the more rows you need. Hit enter to make each row larger in size. Enter in your daily tasks or print and handwrite.

 

If you opt for an internet marketing schedule in a spreadsheet, you are provided with less freedom. This does, however, make creating a schedule easier. Once again, create a total of five headings in each column. This is for the days of the weeks. In the row, type in what tasks you want to complete on each day. Your list may look unproportioned if your to-do-list is longer on certain days.

 

When using a spreadsheet to create your internet marketing schedule for the week, you are limited on space. Large columns will result in multiple pages, which can be difficult to read. So, you can use abbreviations. For example, $ 5 ads can translate into arrange to buy five advertisements on applicable websites.

 

In conclusion, there are many ways for you to create a weekly internet marketing schedule, no matter what your preferences are. As for why you should. Remember, a schedule gives you more time to market your website, as you have a guide to follow. More marketing can translate into more money.