How do you know what's the best use of your time right now?
Link your daily behavior to your purpose.
You'll make better choices and see the value in seemingly insignificant or trivial tasks. It keeps you focused on doing what needs to be done to get what you say you want.
It's one thing to say what you want, to choose projects that will get you what you want, and set goals that will achieve those projects. But, you still have to do the work. You still have to pay the price by just doing it.
Linking your purpose to your daily behaviors underlines the responsibility and the discipline you need to complete your projects.
Having an overall objective and doing what needs to be done gets priority. You can make your choices about what you are doing consciously, knowing that every little bit helps.
For example, one of your projects in support of your purpose of a successful one-person business may be getting a web site to promote your business.
Choosing to bring your lunch rather than spending eight dollars at the café every day is obviously the right choice. By doing the math, you quickly see you'll save about $150 a month on lunch. Putting that money aside will get you your new web site that much faster.
It's the little things done consistently and persistently that make the huge difference in achieving our projects, whatever our projects are.
Even with marketing and sales. New behavioral research has shown smaller tasks done more often are more effective in reaching your goals than larger projects done less frequently. Even if a larger project puts you in front of more people, it still isn't as effective as more frequent, smaller contacts.
Build in momentum sustainers. If you're like most people you start out a new project enthusiastically, and then lose track of it in the bustle of all your other obligations.
By building in appointments with people to check in with, and appointments with yourself for review, you force yourself to be accountable. You might want to set up weekly goals for yourself, or make an agreement to accomplish specific tasks by your next check in date.
Additional techniques for linking daily behaviors and long-term projects include:
(c) 2004, Pat Wilklund. All rights in all media reserved.
About The Author
Business coach Pat Wiklund works with entrepreneurs who want to make and keep more money from their businesses. Assess your one-person business with her free business tune up ecourse: pat3-32222@autocontractor.com.
Contact Pat at pat@leadinganorganizationofone.com.
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
I've divided my tips into two sections - 5 ways... Read More
If I had a dollar or even better a pound... Read More
As a business owner, wouldn't it be great if you... Read More
Ever feel that you spend too much time shoring up... Read More
"There is never enough time, unless you're serving it." -Malcolm... Read More
Many of the world's most driven and successful people sleep... Read More
"The bad news is time flies. The good news is... Read More
"TIME CANNOT BE 'MANAGED.' THE WHOLE CONCEPT OF TIME MANAGEMENT... Read More
Reflect on the rewards of kicking the procrastination habit. They... Read More
We all face decisions that involve doing things that affect... Read More
Everyday life can present us with opportunities to make us... Read More
My husband and I recently returned from a trip to... Read More
Frustration is when an obstacle blocks your ability to achieve... Read More
Time is our greatest and most precious asset. Time is... Read More
Having a home based business can be overwhelming. When you... Read More
There are two types of time killers in everyone's life.... Read More
Setting goals is the easy part -- but sticking with... Read More
Here's some time management tips to try:1) Set strict office... Read More
One of the biggest problems most people have when it... Read More
Do your dishes really need to be dried, or could... Read More
"Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, snow... Read More
And when you finally sat down to eat breakfast, was... Read More
All too often we can feel overwhelmed by the amount... Read More
Most of us have a to-do list ? some of... Read More
Still awaiting the birth of my baby (I am overdue),... Read More
Whatever providence has in store for us tomorrow is not... Read More
Q. I have several projects going at once -- but... Read More
One of the tried and true organization and time-management tools... Read More
It's 6:00 a.m. I'm awake. I'm pumped! I'm ready to... Read More
Time is money in your online business, just as in... Read More
When is the best time to plan your day? Well,... Read More
It's always a challenge finding time to clean my house.... Read More
Microsoft wanted to know how individuals around the world were... Read More
Any habit of mind or body that interferes with taking... Read More
The Internet is increasingly becoming a major time killer for... Read More
How much time do you spend on Mastering Your Time?... Read More
People always seem to be in such a hurry, everywhere... Read More
Women's health issues often are focused on goals to reach:... Read More
I have worked with so many people over the years... Read More
OK...let's assume that you're truly motivated to change. Great. But... Read More
"How do you DO it?!" If I had a dime... Read More
If you have ever missed an appointment, forgotten to pick... Read More
Sometime ago, my lovely wife woke me up in the... Read More
I've divided my tips into two sections - 5 ways... Read More
There are the golden rules that apply to time. If... Read More
It is not enough if you are busy. The question... Read More
Whether you're a new business owner or if you have... Read More
Still awaiting the birth of my baby (I am overdue),... Read More
When trying to achieve a quality education, everybody knows that... Read More
As a small business owner, does the following paragraph sound... Read More
If you feel like your life moves faster than a... Read More
It's easy to waste time on things that seem urgent... Read More
This is one more article on "Organizing and Enjoying Your... Read More
One of the most common complaints that small business owners... Read More
?busy, busy, busy, busy, busy?busy, busy, bus? OK, slap me... Read More
Here's a smart system for doubling or tripling your daily... Read More
One of the issues most often raised by my clients... Read More
Most of us have a to-do list ? some of... Read More
What would you say to me if I told you... Read More
"Can you find four extra hours in your day?" a... Read More
Clarity brings accomplishmentOne of the most important things you can... Read More
Determine Your Procrastination PersonalityBrook Noel is the author of The... Read More
Would you describe yourself as extremely busy? Do you often... Read More
How do you manage your time? Or is the more... Read More
Time is wealth;Time is health; Time is power; Time is... Read More
This past Friday I was asked to speak with a... Read More
Time Management |