Time is something of which none of us seems to have enough.
We live in a fast-paced world of new technologies designed
to keep us moving faster and faster. Such things as
microwave ovens, cell phones and high-speed internet allow
us to accomplish our tasks in less time, but instead of
enjoying this savings, most of us just add more
responsibilities to our day.
Far too many entrepreneurs are too busy trying to become
successful and are not enjoying their lives in the present.
The thought that one day they will achieve their goal of
owning that big house or earning that huge salary drives
people to work for the future and in the mean time, their
life in the present suffers. The truth is, working long
hours won't make you a success, and is more likely to
result in burn-out. Experts agree that the majority of
successful people aren't workaholics; they are individuals
that are simply more efficient. In other words, they work
smarter, not harder. The following are a few simple steps
that will not only allow you to simplify your life, but
will allow you to live a more accomplished life as well.
Step 1 - Set your priorities and live by them. For many,
family and friends are their main priorities, and yet they
spend far too much time working overtime in the hopes that
one day, they will be successful and have the time to spend
with their family. Make your priorities your focus for
today, not only for tomorrow. Make it a point to spend
more quality time doing the things that are important to
you now.
Step 2 - Change your vision of success. Success is not
about owning fancy cars, having a big corner office or
earning a massive salary, it's about being happy in both
work and family life. You can be filthy rich and your
family life can be a failure. Finding the balance in your
life that allows you to feel accomplished and rewarded at
the office, and yet, still leaves significant time to spend
with family and friends will make you feel like a success.
Step 3 - Acknowledge that how others view success isn't
your vision of success. If you are doing a job that you
absolutely love, and that gives you the time you need to
spend with your family, then it shouldn't matter what
others think. If others are judging your success based on
the size of your house or wallet, let them judge and
disregard their opinions. Focus on what is important to
you. If you feel happy and accomplished, then you are a
success.
Step 4 - Learn to delegate. According to the AOL Jobs
website, successful people are efficient people. They are
more efficient because they have learned how to prioritize
and delegate. Learn to let go of some of the tasks you
enjoy least, and if possible, delegate them to an employee.
If you don't have employees, then consider outsourcing.
There are very few tasks that cannot be outsourced today.
If you don't like bookkeeping or invoicing, contract that
work to a bookkeeper, if it is administrative work or
updating web sites that you dislike, outsource to a Virtual
Assistant or Web Designer. If these are not feasible for
you, there are other ways to simplify your life by
delegating. Assign chores at home by getting the kids
involved, many grocery stores will deliver groceries saving
you an hour or more per week. There are also many
time-saving programs that will help you to become more
efficient, such as autoresponders and accounting software.
Step 5 - Organize everything. One of the main keys to
efficiency is organization. Work will get finished faster
and be of better quality if you are organized. Put
everything in its place, file everyday and organize your
computer files, desktop icons and bookmarks. Being able to
find something when you need it will allow you to save a
great deal of time and will undoubtedly simplify your life
and allow you more time for your priorities.
There are countless ways that you can simplify your life
while still achieving your goals. Slowing down your fast
paced life doesn't mean you are giving up your work-related
ambitions. Focusing on being more efficient by working
smarter, not longer and harder, will allow you to succeed
in all areas of your life.
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Kelly Sims is a Virtual Assistant and Owner of Virtually
There VA Services. To find out more about how using a
Virtual Assistant can simplify your life, visit her website
at => http://www.virtuallythereva.com . While you're
there, don't forget to sign up for her free monthly
newsletter providing useful information that enhances and
simplifies the lives of busy entrepreneurs.
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