Saturday, February 2, 2008

Business Optimization - Getting more done in less time

Business Optimization - Getting more done in less time
Owing a business is an audacious task. There are numerous
things that need to be completed in a day. It gets so
frustrating that owners and fitness professionals question
how all will get accomplished. The crux of the issue lies
not in the amount of time or lack of time, but organization.

The successful entrepreneur is well organized. The more
organized the professional the easier the day. The best and
most successful understand how to move around the hurdles
in a structured manner so that they accomplish more- with
less.

I recall many years ago living in New Jersey and commuting
to Manhattan, one frequently stopped to pay tolls. These
necessities are required for road improvements, etc. yet
they become any annoyance and add time to your commute.
Tolls create agitation because you need to stop and
restart, they frustrate you as you fumble for ways to weave
through the longest line to ease your commute and finally,
distract you as you watch other foppish commuters.

There are three tolls in your life and your business that
disrupt your day they are:

1. People

2. Problems

3. Processes

Each of these factors contributes to a waste of time,
energy and euphoria and manages to throw your days into
pandemonium. For you to gain instant organizational
momentum you must embark in three ideologies:

* You must have some selfishness

* You must keep in mind moments do not return

* You must embrace the issue and make an immediate change
If you keep these in mind throughout the day your disarray
will lead to order.

When we look at organizational skills we need to first
understand what gets in the way of efficiency and
organization and the most common cause of disorder.
Procrastination detains you. When you steer away from
confrontational or imperative issues you back up other
issues creating a domino effect.

There are a number of major reasons for procrastination
such as is a FEAR. The issue takes too long to complete, is
too boring or simply is ridiculous and takes time from
something else. Yet, research shows that in 98% of
instances when procrastination exists, the excuses for
procrastinating actually take more time then the issue
itself.

If you find yourself not dealing with things, paperwork is
piling up and calls unreturned then you must absolutely
begin to change you habits. Paperwork, calls and reports do
not disappear because of avoidance they grow LARGER!!!

Self-management is simply the result of developing good
habits and letting them control you. or another way to look
at it is don't let bad habits control you you are in
charge...so you make choices. In order to overcome
procrastination one must meet it head on. Moreover, there
are numerous things you can do to refrain from
procrastination. They include:

1. Get the things you hate to do completed first. Stop
putting things off until tomorrow or the next day since it
will not get accomplished anyway. Get the calls, the
reports, the meeting with the nasty client all out of the
way first and the remainder of the day is easier.

2. Stop seeking alternatives through email and voice mail.
Many individuals hide behind electronics. Refrain from
wearisome habits and confront the issue. The manner in
which to stop poor behavior is confronting it. This is what
you tell your clients, isn't it?

3. Stop pondering. More time is spent on not conducting the
task then physically doing it. When surveyed, 93% of
participants stated that blowing off the issue took more
time than the physical issue. Pay bills twice per month;
make calls and emails first, etc.

4. Prioritize. Most people simply lack good planning and
goal setting. The only way to stop sputtering is simply to
prioritize. Plan the day and stick with it, do not enable
interruptions.

There are also some additional guidelines for sanity and
organization:

1. Create time frames - block out times in a day for
specific activities and events. Do not enable interruptions
during these imperative times.

2. Hold yourself accountable - ensure success by keeping to
times and to goals. You hold your clients and relatives to
specific schedules why not yourself?

3. Keep only one list - good organizers place information
in one place so that they are not distracted. The problem
with most people is that they don't keep a list at all.
Others have too many, to remain atop the issues have one
list such as a to do and keep it in a location where you
are most apt to view it.

4. Keep a notepad wherever you are - One of the best
methods for organization is to keep pen and paper with you
at all times, if you are technologically desirous then a
recorder. During a single day individuals have numerous
thoughts. When was the last time your great idea would
place you as the world's wealthiest person only to forget
the idea hours later? With so many distractions
interrupting our days it is best to record those precious
moments. Keep a notepad wherever you go: auto, airplane,
business bag, knapsack, nightstand, bathroom etc. Never
lose another thought. Once you create the memory then
transpose the idea to your main list for ultimate success.


----------------------------------------------------
Drew Stevens PhD
http://www.gettingtothefinishline.com
Drew Stevens Phd works with organizations to maximize sales
in less time. Drew can assist your organization with sales
or customer service. Order his latest book now, Split
Second Selling available on Amazon.com or at his
website,http://www.gettingtothefinishline.com/products.php

Laugh you way Silly

Laugh you way Silly
These are taken from one of my three favorite comedians
"Life With Woody" Mr.Woody Allen and his 10 inspirational
quotes than can improve yourself

It might take a little coffee (that's mine, Dr Robin) or
probably a few rounds of beer or any other booze you could
get your hands on when it comes to relaxing after a hard
day's work. Well, yeah I'm guilty about that one as well,
unless I'm caught dead wearing a lampshade over my head
after a few rounds of vodka... half-naked! Okay, bad
example and I apologize to everyone reading this after
getting nightmares about me in that state of drunken
stupor.( long ago in Dr Robin bad boy pass)

Just don't ask how it happened, please.

But what's really interesting is that how do people go
through the usual part of life when faced with vein-popping
stress? I mean, the new age thing like Zen or yoga is one
of the good things and it actually works. Is there room for
the intellectual side of people who can actually smell the
roses-in-a-can while on the move? It kind of had me
thinking that there really must be something in this
'mind-over-matter' thing.

Humor is indeed the best medicine there is whenever you
are. I mean anyone can pay good money to listen to a
comedian just to make you wet your pants after laughing so
hard. Despite of what's been happening, and to those who
has gone though the ordeal, it's better to just laugh while
facing the troubles with a clear mind than anger with a
clouded vision. One of my favorite celebrities of the three
( Robin Williams, Red Skelton)all time may have to be Woody
Allen. Now this is one guy who gives you the in-your-face
bluntness that he pulls out with gusto, even without even
trying. You can talk just about anything with a man, and
he's bound to mock the subject and you'll end up laughing
rather than being upset about it.

Woody Allen has this to say:

1. "Money is better than poverty, if only for financial
reasons." It sounds good to me, I mean the practicality of
all things does involve money but it doesn't have to take
an arm and a leg to get it.

2. "I believe there is something out there watching us.
Unfortunately, it's the government." 'Nuff said.

3. "There are worse things in life than death. Have you
ever spent an evening with an insurance salesman?" This
happens to be one of the classic ones. I mean the issue
about life's little problems isn't all that bad, until 'he'
shows up.

Sure, relationships can get complicated, or does have its
complications that probably any author about relationships
is bound to discover it soon. We follow what our heart
desires, unless you're talking about the heart as in the
heart that pump blood throughout your body.

4. "Love is the answer, but while you're waiting for the
answer, sex raises some pretty interesting questions." And
if you want more, just keep on asking!

5. "A fast word about oral contraception. I asked a girl to
go to bed with me, she said 'no'." It sounds, 'practical',
I think.

And when it comes to everyday life, he really knows how to
make the best out of every possible scenario, and it
doesn't involve a lawsuit if he strikes a nerve.

6. "Basically my wife was immature. I'd be at home in the
bath and she'd come in and sink my boats." I never had a
boat in my bathtub before. Just staring at it while soaking
in hot water makes me seasick already.

7. "I am not afraid of death, I just don't want to be there
when it happens." If it rains, it pours.

8. "I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out
of my nose." It could get worse when you're guzzling on
beer... or mouthwash, and it happened to me once!

9. "If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your
plans." At least he doesn't smite us with lightning, and
I'm thankful for that.

And despite of what may happen to all of us in the next
ten, twenty, or even thirty years, I guess we all have to
see things in a different kind of light and not just
perspective. I can't seem to imagine life without any piece
of wisdom that could guide us. Whether we're religious or
not, it takes more courage to accept your fears and learn
how to deal with them is all that matters when it comes to
even just getting along.

And to sum things up, here is the last nugget of wisdom to
go by... however, whenever, and wherever we may be.

10. "The talent for being happy is appreciating and liking
what you have, instead of what you don't have."

I hope this lighten the load. Remember, you must able to
laugh at yourself before you can laugh with some one else
and or at some one else. So go look in the mirror and start
laughing. God really does have a sense of humor. Your
reflection proves it.


----------------------------------------------------
"Dr. Robin", the well known MLM Radio personality is and
has built his "honorary" doctorate in the Network Marketing
world and has had experience in numerous other network
marketing companies. He is a nationally recognized expert
in the network marketing business.Dr. Robin is the current
host of his radio show, "Networking with the Blindguy" with
up to 3.8 million listeners
daily.http://gorillatalkradio.com

Volunteering: A Unique Way to Market Your Business

Volunteering: A Unique Way to Market Your Business
Someone once suggested to us that when you have a
service-based business, you are always marketing. Why?
Because the product you are selling is YOU!

If you think about it, that's a lot of pressure to put on
us solo and micropreneurs. Guess we better not go to the
grocery store in those old sweat pants and that "vintage"
t-shirt that could be...let's just say "slightly
inappropriate." :-) Just always remember you are the face
of your business!

But, what if there was an extremely rewarding way to
represent your business in a positive manner. Some way you
could promote your own personal agenda and, at the same
time, do something good in the world? There is; it's
called volunteering.

So if you don't currently volunteer, we're going to explain
why you should. And if you already do volunteer, keep it
up because we'll explain why volunteering can be an
extremely effective marketing strategy.

But first, have you ever really considered the power in
volunteering your time to an organization? If you are like
most solopreneurs or small business owners probably not.
You've overlooked how effective volunteering can be as a
marketing strategy. You may even take for granted the
impact you are having not only in the lives of others but
your own life too.

Why is it so powerful? It's all because of one word -
time. Time is the great equalizer. There are only
24-hours each day and everyone has the same amount of
hours. Time puts us all on the same playing field doesn't
it?

So when you take some of your precious time and give it
away to help others, you are in effect giving yourself -
your expertise, your intuition, your connections, your
energy, etc. Like the old saying goes, "What comes around,
goes around." So, for the people you're trying to help,
for you and your business, volunteering is a gift that
keeps on giving.

Furthermore, while you volunteer, you are showing the world
that you are a compassionate, caring and generous person
and business owner. You are also getting the opportunity
to build quality relationships with everyone involved in
and who also supports the organization. So volunteering is
a really effective and efficient way for people to get to
know, like and trust you.

However, just one final note to consider. Just to be
clear, we are not advocating that you start volunteering in
an organization for the sole purpose of building your
business. Your intentions must be congruent with your
actions. So if you are simply volunteering so you can get
access to an organization's clients or in front of some
lucrative business opportunities, don't waste your time or
jeopardize the organization's reputation.

Volunteering is a fantastic way to market your business!
By donating your time and energy to an organization that
you believe in, prepare yourself to reap the benefits from
the karmic bounty coming your way!


----------------------------------------------------
Kelly L. LeFevre, MSM, and Molly A. Luffy, MBA, authors of
the upcoming book Unleash Your Marketing Karma: How to
Build Your Business by Giving It Away, are Co-Founders of
the Business Building Roundtable. This free virtual
community helps service-based solo/micropreneurs create
powerful strategies and implement innovative techniques to
achieve their ultimate success and satisfaction. To learn
more visit http://www.BusinessBuildingRoundtable.com