Yesterday, I received a particularly nasty email from a person that I have known casually for just over a year. She will, of course, remain nameless and profession-less, so as not to identify her.
Her issue was regarding a $19.95 monthly charge that she had incurred and forgotten to cancel. This small monthly amount was not payable to me, incidentally -- but I had been instrumental in her becoming involved with that particular company -- and as such, she expected that I should have been responsible for canceling (or advising her to cancel) her monthly charge.
To be fair to this individual, she had previously had a legitimate complaint with this company, during which time, I got personally involved in trying to help her sort it out -- and subsequently, I stopped recommending that particular company and their product.
However, the nastiness of yesterday's email simply astounded me and as I was dealing with many other issues of significant importance (like the critical state of health of a close family member), I responded in kind. And we all know, that two wrongs don't make a right. Mea culpa, for sure.
As these things usually escalate, I received a second email from this passive-aggressive person, who professed to be shocked at the "outrageous" things I said about her and her behavior (basically that she should take responsibility for herself and stop looking for others to blame.) In her words, I couldn't possibly say something like that, as I didn't know anything about her. We live and work in a very small suburb, where everybody knows everybody and it doesn't take long to see a pattern emerge.
On previous occasions, I had personally witnessed her having a meltdown at a country club, after a less-than-stellar fashion show that she felt she had been ripped off for. As well, the few coffee and lunch meetings that we had, always revolved around her and how she felt so put upon by her partner's family. Rarely, did she ask about me and my family -- even when we ran into each other a few months ago, in a hospital. It was still all about her and her partner -- she never even enquired why I was there at the hospital. Curiously, when I look back on that accidental run-in, she related this long, drawn out story about the terrible altercation she had just had with a parking lot attendant -- while all I wanted to do was get to my husband, who was in surgery at the time -- something she never has been aware of.
All that aside, we live within spitting distance from each other and there is always the telephone -- which in my estimation is always a safer method of dealing with something sensitive -- rather than risking the accusations and misinterpretations that can so easily happen by email.
Here then, is a simple checklist to ensure that you don't get down in the mire and muck, that I allowed myself to, yesterday.
1. Be aware of size, boldness and type of font you are using. For example, the gal in my previous example, uses a lovely personalized email template that matches her business cards.
However, the font she uses in writing her emails is a BIG, in-your-face 13.5, boldfaced and italicized print. That might be nice for those of us who need reading glasses and okay, if the message is positive. But you start putting negatives and complaints in that typeface, and you can be pretty certain the person on the receiving end is going to feel like they're being yelled at. Generally you want to stick to no more than an 11pt. font in your emails.
2. Sit on a questionable email for awhile, before you hit that send button. Yes, I could personally have done a better job with that one! As the sender, you never know what type of mindset or stressful situation the receiver is experiencing, when he or she reads your email. So, to follow my own advice, I should have asked someone I trusted to read it over and/or "slept on it" overnight, to see if I still wanted to send it in the morning. The best solution, when an issue is sensitive, is to take the time and meet or talk on the phone.
3. Be aware that you don't have the luxury of body-language or voice intonation in an email. Everything you say and do is responded to in some way. Everything counts, including body language. In fact, 55 percent of every message is communicated through body language, 38 percent through tone of voice and only 7 percent through words. Obviously, when your message is via email, 100 percent of what someone "hears" is in your typewritten words.
4. Realize that whichever way someone feels about what you've written in your email, is their truth. Basically, these kinds of issues will always be one of "he said, she said" and more blame and accusations. Again, the most productive way of dealing with sensitive issues -- where there is a lot of room for misunderstanding -- is to talk it out in person.
In summary, there is no winner when email communications get out of hand. Maybe I have a thinner skin than most, but this unfortunate experience resulted in a sleepless night and is still bothering me, as I write this.
So, I hope you learn from my experience and what I could have done better, if this same thing should happen to you. Why not take a minute right now, to look at the format, type of font, and what "image" might be coming across to people who are reading your emails? Try sending an email to yourself or your spouse, so you can actually see it on their screen, through different eyes than your own.
As with most things in life, technology can be a boon or a bane and email is no exception. Even a car can be used positively, to drive someone to church -- or negatively, to be the get-away vehicle for an armed bank robber.
©2009 Karen Dodd International
Karen R. Dodd publishes the weekly e-zine 'In Focus: Success & Marketing Highlights' for solo-preneurs. If you are looking to jump-start your marketing, get true time leverage and have more fun in your business -- get your FREE tips now at www.KarenDodd.com
Monday, April 27, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
"What One Thing Would You Do If You Knew You Could Not Fail?"
It is never too late to follow your passions.
Here's what I know for sure: you already possess everything within you to make your "what if" a reality. I am 100 percent certain that life is not meant to be a struggle and that if you have a dream in your heart -- it wouldn't be there unless your were capable of achieving it. I feel so strongly about this, that I trademarked the term, "Focus On The Dream."
So the question isn't whether you can achieve your dreams -- rather, it becomes, what are you willing to focus on, in order to make them a reality?
Now, before you say, "I know where she's going with this; she's going to tell me I have to cut out everything that I enjoy doing and sell my first-born child, to make the necessary sacrifices to fulfill my dreams. No, no, no!
Okay, so now your thinking, "That's great, Karen; how do I go do what I'd really like to and still make money to support myself and my family?"
I'm glad you asked. The first key is to spend some alone-time with a journal or notepad and really get clear on what it is you do want. Here's a great little exercise I borrowed from my friend, Sandy Grason, best-selling author of "Journalution" and host of "The Road to Fabulous" on LA Talk Radio. I actually did this when I was coaching with Sandy; it was part of the process that helped get me crystal clear on what has now become my life's work and passion.
First, make sure you're clear of distractions and you're not feeling pressured or rushed. Start with a little daydreaming and then start writing (or drawing). What is your idea of a perfect day in your life? Start with the morning and describe your perfect day in exquisite detail, right until you drop into bed at night. Be sure to record your emotions, sights, smells, sounds -- are you alone or with certain people? When I did this exercise, I actually had to break it down into chunks because I was able to imagine and write in such detail, that it took some time to get through my perfect day.
Next, once you know what a day in your perfect life would look like, you need to put away your old paradigm of why you can't achieve it, and make a massive shift in your thinking. Ask and answer yourself truthfully -- "If others have achieved their dreams, why not me?" There is always a story behind the story, of people who have achieved their dream lifestyle. It almost always includes the same doubts, fears and challenges that you're worried about right now.
Were those people brighter, smarter or better-looking than you? Not likely. But what most successful people have in common is that they think creatively and then move quickly. They don't wait for the timing to be perfect, or their bank accounts to be large enough to weather the storms. They just jump right in, knowing that there will never be that perfect time. As Canadian singer, Michael Buble says, "I'll succeed and I'll fail, but at least I'l never have to say I settled."
I believe that the second biggest key to success in focusing on, and achieving your dreams, is to be in your own business. Don't misunderstand me, there are plenty of people who are working in their dream job, loving what they do. But the huge reality today, is that if you don't have 100 percent control over the decisions that affect your future, you are still vulnerable to the whim of those who do.
If you're currently in a job, look for ways to start your own business. While you feel secure in your job and it's paying the bills, that's the perfect time to start something on the side, with a definite plan of how and when you'll be able to leave your job and go full-time in your own venture. (There are also some great tax benefits to starting a business while you are still working.)
Lastly, it's very difficult for most people to make massive shifts in their life, without the help and support of others. Seek out a mastermind group, or a coach or even a "do it yourself" program that has some structure and will help you work through the process of finding your bliss. Don't look to friends and family, many of whom are probably not happy with their lives -- and all too often, are happy to tell you why you can't make the changes that you need to, to enjoy a blissful and abundant life. [Editor's note: Click here if you'd like Karen's FR*EE report to identifying and focusing on your passion.]
Will it be easy? No, not always. But will it be worth it? Read over your wonderful, vibrant, blissful perfect day -- and you tell me:>)
©2009 Karen Dodd International
Karen R. Dodd publishes the weekly e-zine 'In Focus: Success & Marketing Highlights' for solo-preneurs. If you are looking to jump-start your marketing, get true time leverage and have more fun in your business -- get your FREE tips now at www.KarenDodd.com
Here's what I know for sure: you already possess everything within you to make your "what if" a reality. I am 100 percent certain that life is not meant to be a struggle and that if you have a dream in your heart -- it wouldn't be there unless your were capable of achieving it. I feel so strongly about this, that I trademarked the term, "Focus On The Dream."
So the question isn't whether you can achieve your dreams -- rather, it becomes, what are you willing to focus on, in order to make them a reality?
Now, before you say, "I know where she's going with this; she's going to tell me I have to cut out everything that I enjoy doing and sell my first-born child, to make the necessary sacrifices to fulfill my dreams. No, no, no!
Okay, so now your thinking, "That's great, Karen; how do I go do what I'd really like to and still make money to support myself and my family?"
I'm glad you asked. The first key is to spend some alone-time with a journal or notepad and really get clear on what it is you do want. Here's a great little exercise I borrowed from my friend, Sandy Grason, best-selling author of "Journalution" and host of "The Road to Fabulous" on LA Talk Radio. I actually did this when I was coaching with Sandy; it was part of the process that helped get me crystal clear on what has now become my life's work and passion.
First, make sure you're clear of distractions and you're not feeling pressured or rushed. Start with a little daydreaming and then start writing (or drawing). What is your idea of a perfect day in your life? Start with the morning and describe your perfect day in exquisite detail, right until you drop into bed at night. Be sure to record your emotions, sights, smells, sounds -- are you alone or with certain people? When I did this exercise, I actually had to break it down into chunks because I was able to imagine and write in such detail, that it took some time to get through my perfect day.
Next, once you know what a day in your perfect life would look like, you need to put away your old paradigm of why you can't achieve it, and make a massive shift in your thinking. Ask and answer yourself truthfully -- "If others have achieved their dreams, why not me?" There is always a story behind the story, of people who have achieved their dream lifestyle. It almost always includes the same doubts, fears and challenges that you're worried about right now.
Were those people brighter, smarter or better-looking than you? Not likely. But what most successful people have in common is that they think creatively and then move quickly. They don't wait for the timing to be perfect, or their bank accounts to be large enough to weather the storms. They just jump right in, knowing that there will never be that perfect time. As Canadian singer, Michael Buble says, "I'll succeed and I'll fail, but at least I'l never have to say I settled."
I believe that the second biggest key to success in focusing on, and achieving your dreams, is to be in your own business. Don't misunderstand me, there are plenty of people who are working in their dream job, loving what they do. But the huge reality today, is that if you don't have 100 percent control over the decisions that affect your future, you are still vulnerable to the whim of those who do.
If you're currently in a job, look for ways to start your own business. While you feel secure in your job and it's paying the bills, that's the perfect time to start something on the side, with a definite plan of how and when you'll be able to leave your job and go full-time in your own venture. (There are also some great tax benefits to starting a business while you are still working.)
Lastly, it's very difficult for most people to make massive shifts in their life, without the help and support of others. Seek out a mastermind group, or a coach or even a "do it yourself" program that has some structure and will help you work through the process of finding your bliss. Don't look to friends and family, many of whom are probably not happy with their lives -- and all too often, are happy to tell you why you can't make the changes that you need to, to enjoy a blissful and abundant life. [Editor's note: Click here if you'd like Karen's FR*EE report to identifying and focusing on your passion.]
Will it be easy? No, not always. But will it be worth it? Read over your wonderful, vibrant, blissful perfect day -- and you tell me:>)
©2009 Karen Dodd International
Karen R. Dodd publishes the weekly e-zine 'In Focus: Success & Marketing Highlights' for solo-preneurs. If you are looking to jump-start your marketing, get true time leverage and have more fun in your business -- get your FREE tips now at www.KarenDodd.com
Thursday, April 16, 2009
"9 Ways to Be More Productive Working From Home"
I love interacting with people but I also love to work alone, from my home office -- and pick and choose when I will go out for meetings or work with a team member on a particular project. No overhead, no employees, no stress right? Hm-mm....well, now that's true most of the time -- but it wasn't always that way.
The reality of most people working from home -- and women in particular -- is that they find it very difficult not to multi-task. I bet, that up until now, many of you have been proud of your multi-tasking ability. It's a proven fact that women are actually wired differently than men (no surprise there), which is why we are able to take a phone call, tend to the needs of a crying child and get dinner on the table, simultaneously. Generally, men are not good multi-taskers, but this "weakness" gives them the ability to compartmentalize and focus much more efficiently.
As a woman working from home, you may find that your business is being sabotaged by unforeseen distractions, lack of structure with your time -- and sometimes, may feel that because you work from home, that friends and family don't respect your time or what you do, in the same way they might with someone who goes out to work. Here are a few ideas to get you on the right track.
1. Stop Multi-Tasking.
Yes, you heard me right. It's easy to think that as you have to walk past the laundry room anyway, you might as well change the wash. Or you should get something started in the slow-cooker -- after all, that will save you valuable time in getting dinner ready tonight. Perhaps you noticed that one of your favorite plants was wilting from thirst and you thought you'd just give it (and then all the rest) a quick drink. How do I know these things? Because I've done them. I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't take a break to do household tasks -- after all, that's part of the luxury of working from home. Just don't mistake it for work time and be aware of how much time those few minutes here and there can cost you, in your business.
Ladies, listen to me...when it comes to business, multi-tasking is the biggest time robber and stress-inducer there is! No two thoughts or tasks can occupy your brain at one time and be executed effectively. I have never, ever, seen a winning jockey ride two horses across the finish line at the same time. You might think you are being efficient by multi-tasking but trust me -- this is where men have it over us -- with their ability to focus on just one thing at a time. Don't believe me? Donald Trump says he does not multi-task. That's how he achieves the focus that he has.
2. Have A Separate Space - Preferably With a Door That Closes.
It is imperative, if you are serious about what you do, that you get out of "kitchen table mode" and have, preferably a separate room as an office. That way, when you are working, your spouse and family respect that you are "at work" and short of the house catching on fire, they are not to disturb you. If that isn't possible, then get a room divider and try to make yourself a little niche that is yours and yours alone.
A funny little story I must share (I'll know if my husband read this article, by how he responds when he gets home today:>)
I do quite a bit of my work on the phone, conducting teleclasses and group or one-to-one coaching. I often record my calls (with my students' knowledge, to have them available to listen to at a later date). So, one day I thought I had better tape an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper on my door, that said Please Do Not Disturb - Recording. Shortly after I had closed the door and started recording, my husband walked into my office to get some printer paper! After some "discussion" he no longer does that and I'm ashamed to admit that sometimes I just tape the sign on and close the door -- even when I'm not recording, just to get some alone time.
3. Structure Your Time and "Cash Out" at the End of Each Day.
As it is so easy for your personal time to mesh with your business, you need to be using something that you can map your time out on a monthly, weekly and daily basis -- and then stick to it. Whether that is an appointment you've set for yourself to workout or go for a walk -- or its scheduling office and admin work in less productive hours -- it's imperative that you decide what time frame you're going to work on something and then don't spend any more or less time on that one activity, than you originally planned. When that allotted time is up, move on to the next task.
At the end of every day, "cash out" by really examining what you accomplished and take a few minutes to plan for the next day. Otherwise, you'll constantly be faced with that all too familiar cry, "where did my day (week) go?"
4. Delegate All You Can.
I can already hear you saying, "I'm just getting my business started; I can't afford to pay anyone for anything!" I know, because I've been there. My first tiny baby step in delegating was to hire a lady to clean for me -- just once every two weeks, as that's all I could afford. I don't like to do housework, but I like a clean house. Initially, what I paid her per hour, was half of what I charged for my services. Now it's a much smaller percentage because I charge a lot more, but do the math -- it doesn't make sense for you to be spending time doing things that take time away from income-producing activities. Likewise, for web design or other tasks related to your business -- hire, trade or delegate as much as possible.
5. Stop Running Out to Meet With People Face-to-Face.
Obviously, it depends on what business you're in, to what extent you can forgo in-person meetings, and choose to have a teleconference instead. If you're in sales, your highest payoff activities could be calling on people all day long. But for most of us, the time it takes to travel to and from a 30-60 minute appointment, is a real time waster. When someone does ask to meet with me, I (graciously) ask for an agenda. Some people just like to have coffee and someone to meet with and that is usually not very good use of your time. I will say something like, "I'd love to meet with you -- can you tell me a little bit about what you're doing? Do you have a website or something you can email me?" If they're time-wasters, I usually don't hear back from them.
If this sounds harsh or rude, here's the bottom line: most of us don't have enough hours in the day to spend time with friends and loved ones. If you find yourself stressed and always feeling too busy to devote to the people in your life that really matter, you are probably giving away too much of YOU by being unable to say no.
6. Beware of Errands Becoming Your Time Robber.
Yesterday, I took what I call my "mental health day" and I deliberately went out to spend an entire weekday on doing errands. It was wonderful and as a result, I am much more relaxed and productive today. However -- and I'm generalizing here -- as women, we tend to do more of the grocery shopping, picking stuff up at the cleaners, taking kids to appointments, whatever. Try to group your meetings and errands for one day a week. For example, I volunteer on Friday mornings, but I never know if they're going to need me until I call in that morning. So, I plan all my doctor, dentist, beauty appointments for Friday afternoon (not all at once:>), as I'm already in town for my volunteer work. If they don't need me then I can choose to use that unexpected time to get some work done, or get a little shopping and other errands in.
7. Use Technology to Screen Calls and Emails.
Gosh, now you'll know all my secrets! I (and every other successful person I know) screen phone calls. If I don't take your call immediately, does it mean you're not important to me? No -- in fact, it is just the opposite. If I'm writing my weekly ezine and I take a call, I am going to lose my focus, and -- I'm not giving you the undivided attention that you deserve. If you don't have caller ID, run -- don't walk - and order it from your telephone provider right now! If you are one of those people who picks up the phone every time it rings, you might as well give up on having a successful business from home, right now! The same goes for reading every email as it comes in. Either turn off the signal that tells you that you have mail or only open your emails twice a day.
Please, I beg you -- get voice mail with your telephone company, and not an answering machine! I can not tell you how many times I have been on the phone to someone (for business) and I can hear people leaving messages for them in the background. Tacky, tacky, tacky!
8. Go With YOUR Flow.
We've all heard things like: the early bird gets the worm, sit in an ergonomically designed chair, make sure you take plenty of breaks, etc. What works well for YOU? If you do your best work balancing your laptop on a lawn chair on your sundeck -- then do it. If you like to get up late and work later in the evening, that's what you should do. Once you get going on a project, perhaps you like to work in silence, uninterrupted by breaks. They key is finding the balance that works for you, which might be very different than for me.The beauty of working from home, is that YOU can decide how you want to work.
In my case, I do my best work the minute my feet hit the floor in the early morning, but I start to go downhill around 3pm and I shut business-related tasks down very early in the evening. Not only have I had to figure out what works best for me, but I also had to get over the guilty feeling I had when others in a similar business I was once in, worked late into the night. Working with your mind and body's natural ebb and flow, is a huge key to working efficiently and managing stress.
9. Banish Procrastination by Using the 72-hour Rule.
How many times have you heard a great idea, written it down and then never did anything about it? If you're like most people, it happens a lot. Next time you're at a seminar or learning something for personal or business development, I challenge you not to write it in your notes, UNLESS you are prepared to at least start to implement it within 72 hours.
The highly successful entrepreneur I learned this from, pretends that someone has a gun to his wife and baby's head, if he doesn't implement it. A tad extreme perhaps, but choose something that will have significant meaning to YOU. His attitude is that we all write down so many great ideas, but most of them never get implemented. Another person I know, keeps two notebooks when he goes to a learning evening -- one for his very select, 72-hour Rule ideas -- and the other, for everything else.
©2009 Karen Dodd International
Karen R. Dodd publishes the weekly e-zine 'In Focus: Success & Marketing Highlights' for solo-preneurs. If you are looking to jump-start your marketing, get true time leverage and have more fun in your business -- get your FREE tips now at www.KarenDodd.com
The reality of most people working from home -- and women in particular -- is that they find it very difficult not to multi-task. I bet, that up until now, many of you have been proud of your multi-tasking ability. It's a proven fact that women are actually wired differently than men (no surprise there), which is why we are able to take a phone call, tend to the needs of a crying child and get dinner on the table, simultaneously. Generally, men are not good multi-taskers, but this "weakness" gives them the ability to compartmentalize and focus much more efficiently.
As a woman working from home, you may find that your business is being sabotaged by unforeseen distractions, lack of structure with your time -- and sometimes, may feel that because you work from home, that friends and family don't respect your time or what you do, in the same way they might with someone who goes out to work. Here are a few ideas to get you on the right track.
1. Stop Multi-Tasking.
Yes, you heard me right. It's easy to think that as you have to walk past the laundry room anyway, you might as well change the wash. Or you should get something started in the slow-cooker -- after all, that will save you valuable time in getting dinner ready tonight. Perhaps you noticed that one of your favorite plants was wilting from thirst and you thought you'd just give it (and then all the rest) a quick drink. How do I know these things? Because I've done them. I'm not suggesting that you shouldn't take a break to do household tasks -- after all, that's part of the luxury of working from home. Just don't mistake it for work time and be aware of how much time those few minutes here and there can cost you, in your business.
Ladies, listen to me...when it comes to business, multi-tasking is the biggest time robber and stress-inducer there is! No two thoughts or tasks can occupy your brain at one time and be executed effectively. I have never, ever, seen a winning jockey ride two horses across the finish line at the same time. You might think you are being efficient by multi-tasking but trust me -- this is where men have it over us -- with their ability to focus on just one thing at a time. Don't believe me? Donald Trump says he does not multi-task. That's how he achieves the focus that he has.
2. Have A Separate Space - Preferably With a Door That Closes.
It is imperative, if you are serious about what you do, that you get out of "kitchen table mode" and have, preferably a separate room as an office. That way, when you are working, your spouse and family respect that you are "at work" and short of the house catching on fire, they are not to disturb you. If that isn't possible, then get a room divider and try to make yourself a little niche that is yours and yours alone.
A funny little story I must share (I'll know if my husband read this article, by how he responds when he gets home today:>)
I do quite a bit of my work on the phone, conducting teleclasses and group or one-to-one coaching. I often record my calls (with my students' knowledge, to have them available to listen to at a later date). So, one day I thought I had better tape an 8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper on my door, that said Please Do Not Disturb - Recording. Shortly after I had closed the door and started recording, my husband walked into my office to get some printer paper! After some "discussion" he no longer does that and I'm ashamed to admit that sometimes I just tape the sign on and close the door -- even when I'm not recording, just to get some alone time.
3. Structure Your Time and "Cash Out" at the End of Each Day.
As it is so easy for your personal time to mesh with your business, you need to be using something that you can map your time out on a monthly, weekly and daily basis -- and then stick to it. Whether that is an appointment you've set for yourself to workout or go for a walk -- or its scheduling office and admin work in less productive hours -- it's imperative that you decide what time frame you're going to work on something and then don't spend any more or less time on that one activity, than you originally planned. When that allotted time is up, move on to the next task.
At the end of every day, "cash out" by really examining what you accomplished and take a few minutes to plan for the next day. Otherwise, you'll constantly be faced with that all too familiar cry, "where did my day (week) go?"
4. Delegate All You Can.
I can already hear you saying, "I'm just getting my business started; I can't afford to pay anyone for anything!" I know, because I've been there. My first tiny baby step in delegating was to hire a lady to clean for me -- just once every two weeks, as that's all I could afford. I don't like to do housework, but I like a clean house. Initially, what I paid her per hour, was half of what I charged for my services. Now it's a much smaller percentage because I charge a lot more, but do the math -- it doesn't make sense for you to be spending time doing things that take time away from income-producing activities. Likewise, for web design or other tasks related to your business -- hire, trade or delegate as much as possible.
5. Stop Running Out to Meet With People Face-to-Face.
Obviously, it depends on what business you're in, to what extent you can forgo in-person meetings, and choose to have a teleconference instead. If you're in sales, your highest payoff activities could be calling on people all day long. But for most of us, the time it takes to travel to and from a 30-60 minute appointment, is a real time waster. When someone does ask to meet with me, I (graciously) ask for an agenda. Some people just like to have coffee and someone to meet with and that is usually not very good use of your time. I will say something like, "I'd love to meet with you -- can you tell me a little bit about what you're doing? Do you have a website or something you can email me?" If they're time-wasters, I usually don't hear back from them.
If this sounds harsh or rude, here's the bottom line: most of us don't have enough hours in the day to spend time with friends and loved ones. If you find yourself stressed and always feeling too busy to devote to the people in your life that really matter, you are probably giving away too much of YOU by being unable to say no.
6. Beware of Errands Becoming Your Time Robber.
Yesterday, I took what I call my "mental health day" and I deliberately went out to spend an entire weekday on doing errands. It was wonderful and as a result, I am much more relaxed and productive today. However -- and I'm generalizing here -- as women, we tend to do more of the grocery shopping, picking stuff up at the cleaners, taking kids to appointments, whatever. Try to group your meetings and errands for one day a week. For example, I volunteer on Friday mornings, but I never know if they're going to need me until I call in that morning. So, I plan all my doctor, dentist, beauty appointments for Friday afternoon (not all at once:>), as I'm already in town for my volunteer work. If they don't need me then I can choose to use that unexpected time to get some work done, or get a little shopping and other errands in.
7. Use Technology to Screen Calls and Emails.
Gosh, now you'll know all my secrets! I (and every other successful person I know) screen phone calls. If I don't take your call immediately, does it mean you're not important to me? No -- in fact, it is just the opposite. If I'm writing my weekly ezine and I take a call, I am going to lose my focus, and -- I'm not giving you the undivided attention that you deserve. If you don't have caller ID, run -- don't walk - and order it from your telephone provider right now! If you are one of those people who picks up the phone every time it rings, you might as well give up on having a successful business from home, right now! The same goes for reading every email as it comes in. Either turn off the signal that tells you that you have mail or only open your emails twice a day.
Please, I beg you -- get voice mail with your telephone company, and not an answering machine! I can not tell you how many times I have been on the phone to someone (for business) and I can hear people leaving messages for them in the background. Tacky, tacky, tacky!
8. Go With YOUR Flow.
We've all heard things like: the early bird gets the worm, sit in an ergonomically designed chair, make sure you take plenty of breaks, etc. What works well for YOU? If you do your best work balancing your laptop on a lawn chair on your sundeck -- then do it. If you like to get up late and work later in the evening, that's what you should do. Once you get going on a project, perhaps you like to work in silence, uninterrupted by breaks. They key is finding the balance that works for you, which might be very different than for me.The beauty of working from home, is that YOU can decide how you want to work.
In my case, I do my best work the minute my feet hit the floor in the early morning, but I start to go downhill around 3pm and I shut business-related tasks down very early in the evening. Not only have I had to figure out what works best for me, but I also had to get over the guilty feeling I had when others in a similar business I was once in, worked late into the night. Working with your mind and body's natural ebb and flow, is a huge key to working efficiently and managing stress.
9. Banish Procrastination by Using the 72-hour Rule.
How many times have you heard a great idea, written it down and then never did anything about it? If you're like most people, it happens a lot. Next time you're at a seminar or learning something for personal or business development, I challenge you not to write it in your notes, UNLESS you are prepared to at least start to implement it within 72 hours.
The highly successful entrepreneur I learned this from, pretends that someone has a gun to his wife and baby's head, if he doesn't implement it. A tad extreme perhaps, but choose something that will have significant meaning to YOU. His attitude is that we all write down so many great ideas, but most of them never get implemented. Another person I know, keeps two notebooks when he goes to a learning evening -- one for his very select, 72-hour Rule ideas -- and the other, for everything else.
©2009 Karen Dodd International
Karen R. Dodd publishes the weekly e-zine 'In Focus: Success & Marketing Highlights' for solo-preneurs. If you are looking to jump-start your marketing, get true time leverage and have more fun in your business -- get your FREE tips now at www.KarenDodd.com
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