Archive for the ‘work from home’ Category
March 30th, 2010 | 
Author: What is worse than phone or email tag to schedule a simple phone call or meeting? The back and forth and back and forth, just when you think you got it, someone sneaks in and schedules the time before you get the confirmation. Sometimes it takes longer to schedule the face to face than the actually call or meeting.
So what is a time crunched entrepreneur to do? Get an on-line scheduling tool and leave the tag games to the playground.
This article will compare two great tools that will automatically schedule meetings on your current calendar, Tungle.me and TimeDriver.com.
Comparing the Features
|
Tungle.me |
Timedriver.com |
| Free for basic / Premium features cost | $29.99/year after free trial period |
| 1 calendar | Unlimited Calendars (Schedule Books) |
| A unique link to each invitation sent from you | No invitation to specific times, they see availability and pick a time convenient for them. |
| Synchs with Outlook, Google Calendar, iPhone App, Apple iCal and Entourage | Synchs with Outlook and Google Calendar |
| A lot of control over message content that is sent, how it looks, etc, may add to the ease of scheduling. | Customized messages but a one time setup of the generic message. Simplified invitation. Simply embed or send the link. |
| Confirmation of the invitation schedules appointment on calendar (2 step process) | The client picking the time and confirming it automatically schedules to your calendar. (1 step process) |
| Dashboard interface on website account to edit details of scheduled meetings, changes trigger updated emails to invitees | Dashboard interface on website account to edit details of scheduled meetings, changes trigger updated emails to invitees |
| Multiple people can be invited with multiple proposed times | Single person invited to schedule |
| No download required for invitee | No download required for invitee |
| Can share details of calendar (Actual calendar entries) or just availability. | Only shows availability |
| Total control of availability shown. | Total control of availability shown |
| Meeting requests initiated by a client have an extra confirmation email on their end | Meetings initiated by a client are automatically scheduled |
| Single address http://tungle.me/yourname | Multiple addresses according to your Schedule Book address. Not easily given out as they are a “code”. |
| Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Xing links on your profile page that the client sees. | |
| Tungle.me widget to share availability on your website. | |
| Activity Feed Log to view history |
There are pros and cons with both programs.
Tungle.me is very robust and has given a lot of control to the user, allows multiple invitees and put safeguards to protect you from spammers. Some of the features add a few more steps into the scheduling process and in some cases complicates it a little. If your client’s are not technically savvy this may have a longer learning curve and they may miss some steps. All in all Tungle.me is a very good tool for scheduling.
TimeDriver.com is a very simplified version of a scheduler:
- Send the link via email or embed in other materials.
- Client pick the time from the availability.
- It’s scheduled on your calendar.
- Reminders are sent out.
Having the ability to separate calendars and tasks is a big plus for TimeDriver. Limiting interfacing with only Outlook or Google Calendar may make the decision for you.
Either of these programs will simplify the scheduling of your meetings and phone calls.Before you decide which program to use, try both of the Free versions and see how you like them. Check out the interfaces and controls, schedule a few fake meetings and see how it works from both sides of the scheduling process. They are different enough, you will probably clearly make a decision on one or the other based on what you want to experience or what you want your client to experience.
Either way you can’t go wrong and it will give you back a little bit of your precious time…to go play real tag.
Taking applications for speakers for a series I am doing, “FREEDOM! Emancipate yourself from your webmaster” Series. The goal is to get expert users to give strategies to entrepreneurs on how to get their message and content out on the internet professionally, Quick, EZ, and often, without waiting for the webmaster or web guru to get back to you.
The frustration a lot of my clients come to me with is something like this…”I need to advertise to my list about an event in a few days, hours…(whatever) and I can’t get my website to do what I want, the web person can’t get to it, I don’t know what to do, I am tired of paying for something that should be easier etc…”
So if you use or have a method/product/tool that makes it Quick and EZ for anyone to update content, build a list, get their message out, I want to talk to you!
Before submitting think about these questions:
1) Can I speak intelligently for 30 mins to an hr on the topic?
2) Can I give step by step strategies that will make it easy for the audience to duplicate.
3) Does it meet the Quick, EZ, Often criteria?
4) Can almost anyone that is a DIY person do it right off the bat or with a little coaching, or a checklist do it?
5) Do I have real life success with it already or is it just a theory at this point?
Examples: How to use Twitter to get the word out. EZ article marketing, Wordpress, Facebook, Linked In, DIY salespages, You tube, the list is endless.
To be considered for this series please submit:
Your topic- What you plan to show, promote, talk about.
Do you already have a presentation?
Do you want an interview format?
What have you used this method for and what were your results?
What are real life examples of how it is EZ, Quick and Repeatable for YOU as you market your biz?
This will be either a presentation you can give any time at your convenience or we can make it a scheduled call if you prefer.
Can’t wait to hear from you!
Susan Snyder
PCS Training
http://www.pcstraining.net
susansnyder@pcstraining.net
Different Approaches Mean a Bigger Bottom Line
If you have only one offering to clients, you are expecting them to make a tough decision. In this price model you usually have a higher ticket item and a potential client has to decide if they like you enough to put up the cash. Your job is to make it easier on them.
Think about “courting” your customers before asking them to “marry” you. You need to give them opportunities to get to know you better and see if they are interested in sticking around.
A common tactic that businesses use is called the Marketing Funnel. This will enable your clients to make easier decisions and often spend more money with you in the end.
Think of a funnel. The top is wide and the bottom is narrow. You will layer offerings down the funnel that will move the client to your higher ticket items. Your goal is to get as many clients as you can in the top of the funnel at your lower ticket items and get them moving along in hopes that a good percentage of them will buy the high ticket items at the bottom.
A common funnel would go something like this:
Freebie: A give away that will give the potential customer a “taste” of what your services are. This needs to be something simple, that doesn’t require on-going effort for you to deliver or much time to implement. Common freebies are sample recorded talks, templates, a report or other information to give a good idea of what the client can expect from you. This shouldn’t be fluff but it also shouldn’t be the whole system.
Introductory Services: This is a lower priced service that will give them more of an idea of how to work with you. It could be a scaled down version of a service further along the funnel, or a larger report with more “meat” in it.
Two or Three Other Services: There is no hard and fast rules here. You don’t want it to be confusing for the potential customers. You need to balance moving them along to the higher priced services and making the funnel so saturated, they never get there. Fewer and fewer clients engage at the higher priced levels, so you will have broader products at the top and more targeted products at the bottom of the funnel.
The funnel does not mean you have five or six product, it represents the levels of pricing for each type of product. You may have several freebies, five $27 reports, several traditional print products, and several levels of coaching services. The funnel just helps you structure your offerings in a manner that helps you to move them to the higher priced services.
Note: As you move further down the funnel you give more and more of your time and resources. They get more and more of the information you have to give and more personal access to you and your team.
Every client is different. You need to meet them where they are at. Some need a longer time to make a commitment, some can see your brilliance right away. You need to give all of them the opportunity to discover you and your services in a way they will feel most comfortable.
So here’s to moving forward… and learning all you can along the way.
To your success!
We make it easy for you to get all the information.
What you do with it is up to you!
If I can answer any questions or help you in any way just email me. I am looking forward to your success and helping you build your VA skills!
Have a happy and productive day!
Susan Snyder
Founder/CEO
buildyourvaskills.com
http://www.pcstraining.net
PS- Go to http://www.buildyourvaskills.com and look at our current schedule of training. Find one that’s right for you and bring a friend!
PPS- Not reaching your goals? Last year didn’t shape up the way you intended? Make THIS year YOUR year! I have two programs that will help you do it! The “Get Your Rear in Gear” Focus Group and The Inner Circle Coaching Program are filling fast! I have opened up a second group for both and I am limiting it to the first 25 so you get personal attention! Check it out and start or take your VA practice to the next level. http://www.buildyourvaskills.com/innercircle.html. Email if you have questions.
Owner or Operator?
Not sure what to do?
This is the second most asked question by the Virtual Assistants and other service providers I coach on a regular basis. Should they run their own business or be part of an existing team? The answer depends on the individual.
- Are you passionate about the services you provide?
- Can you not wait to get up in the morning and get to work?
- Do you love the work?
- Can you love it in a year?
- Do you have a “circle of influence”?
- Are you able to get clients quickly?
- Do you have connections with people needing your services or do they have direct connections to others needing what you offer?
- Are others already asking you to provide the services you want to offer?
- Have you already done the work?
- Are you a self starter who can keep yourself motivated and getting things done?
- Do you want to be your own boss?
- How are you going to learn and grow as a business owner?
- Who is your support system?
- How much time/money do you have to invest in your business?
All of these questions are just a beginning gauge of you are at right now. It helps me find out if you are really ready to run your own business. Running your own deal is hard work. Sometimes it isn’t fun. I am not saying it is always a drudgery, but it is not always 8 to 5, two weeks of vacation and nights at home with the family. I love working for myself and wouldn’t have it any other way, but many people are not wired the same way. You will always be the hardest boss you’ve ever worked for.
Many of the questions address what you are doing now:
* Are people asking you for the services?
* Do you already know how to do the services?
* Do you know how they will offer the services?
Some questions help me determine if you have the “stuff” right now to be a business owner. Passion and determination can take a person far as a business owner. Business skills can be learned or delegated.
You don’t want to have to worry about learning a whole new skill set for services AND how to run a business at the same time. You want something that is easy to get going, has low overhead, and you can have confidence right away in your abilities to give great service.
A support system both emotionally and financially is important for a new business owner. You have to have a plan for cash flow. This plan could look like a spouse that works and you can live on what they bring in, a part-time or full-time position while you get the business to cash flow, or money in the bank. The point is you can’t just expect to live on air and enthusiasm. Emotional support means you either have people around you that you can turn to when you have tough days that will be honest and encouraging or you are willing to find those people. There are a number of associations, forums and if all else fails facebook and twitter that will help you build your community. I encourage all my clients to get their cheering section in order quickly.
Willingness to learn is probably the number one factor I use to advise someone in whether they fly solo or join a team. No matter what services you “provide”, those services are not your business. You are in the business of marketing; The art of attracting, getting and keeping clients. If that turns your blood cold, you are probably better off joining a team. If however you are willing to roll up your sleeves, think outside the box and most importantly learn from others, you could be a business owner.
So should you do it? I don’t think you have to have everything figured out to start. Things will change a lot, especially at first as you refine your ideas and get going. The key pieces are learning and if you think you can do it. If it is “your only option”, that is not true and maybe you should join a team and learn the ropes first. This is not to say you will never run your own business but you can take your time and evaluate before you take the big leap that may end up costing you a lot of time and money.
There are many options for joining a team to provide the same services you wish to offer. The best way to find out what works for you is to do your research, interview people that work on the team and see how it fits with your needs and goals.
There are many things to consider when deciding which direction to go in life. The question of being an owner or an operator is something that is easily answered for some and not so easy for others. From my experience owning a business is the best of both worlds, I get to be in charge of my destiny and I get to work with fabulous clients and colleagues. For some people though, working for yourself doesn’t provide the structure you need and you aren’t ready to make the leap to providing your own benefits and leaving the perceived “security” of an employed position. There is no right or wrong answer, it just a matter of what works for you.
Thank goodness we still have options in America! Be all you were meant to be whether it be an owner or an operator.
So here’s to moving forward… and learning all you can along the way.
To your success!
We make it easy for you to get all the information.
What you do with it is up to you!
If I can answer any questions or help you in any way just email me. I am looking forward to your success and helping you build your VA skills!
Have a happy and productive day!
Susan Snyder
Founder/CEO
PS- Go to http://www.buildyourvaskills.com and look at our current schedule of training. Find one that’s right for you and bring a friend!
PPS- Not reaching your goals? Last year didn’t shape up the way you intended? Make THIS year YOUR year! I have two programs that will help you do it! The “Get Your Rear in Gear” Focus Group and The Inner Circle Coaching Program are filling fast! I have opened up a second group for both and I am limiting it to the first 25 so you get personal attention! Check it out and start or take your VA practice to the next level. http://www.buildyourvaskills.com/innercircle.html. Email if you have questions.
Ready to quit settling for the same ol’ same ol’? Did you accomplish everything you wanted to in your business, in your personal life that you wanted to in 2009?
If you are ready to kick it into high gear and get support from others in the same boat. Join our “Get Your Rear in Gear!” Focus Group that will be forming and beginning January 1. We will be helping you set, map out, and think big for your 2010 goals. THEN hold you accountable. This will be a group of people just like you that want to knock it out of the park next year.
If you are interested and want to get the pre-launch information. Email me @ susansnyder@buildyourvaskills.com. There will only be a few spots and they will fill fast.
This was the number one service my clients requested. A way to bounce ideas of others and someone to hold them to what they say they will do. Details will be coming soon, I am fine tuning the levels of support so I can give you a couple of options for pricing.
Have a great day!
Posted in coaching, power sessions, virtual assistant, work at home, work from home, working virtually | 
Tags: accountability, coaching, focus group, virtual assisting | 
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How much knowledge can you gain in a year?
One of the great joys of my life is mentoring. I meet with college students and help them figure out strategies to get through the hoops of getting that college degree. The last couple weeks have brought up a common theme that you as a business owner, virtual assistant or for that matter a human being can relate to:
“I feel like I have no time to….fill in the blank.”
Whether it is studying, learning a new skill, getting more information on a topic you are interested in or any number of items on your to do list, we all seem to have that problem.
The truth is you have the same amount of time as many other people that “rock it” every day; the President, George Clooney, Bill Gates, Edward Cullen…oh ya he’s fiction. The point is we all have the same amount of time and it is what we do with it that counts.
So if you really do feel like you have “no time” for your goals,
it’s time to get creative.
One thing I noticed as I talked to several students is some of them have a lot of drive time.Take for example if you drive 25 minutes one way to work M-F, that
is 50 minutes a day or about 4 hours a week. So what could you do with an extra 4 hours a week to learn something new? That is a whole afternoon or evening to do something else.
One thing you can do is what a lot of time management experts call the “Automobile University”. Study in the car. I am not saying to type on your computer or read a book or anything dangerous but to get creative.
One practice I have done for years is listening to books on tape and now mp3’s of seminars and coaching sessions. Sometimes I am truly amazed at how much I can listen to (even without torturing my family).
Let’s look at the numbers. Taking those 4 hours a week multiply that by even 40 weeks per year (you don’t want to be a total nerd after all!), that is 160 hours or 6.5 days! And those would be days without sleep!
To put it in perspective a 3 credit hour college course over 16 weeks is only 48 hours of total lecture time. While that does not include your outside class studies, you get the point. This simple exercise is like getting the content of about three 3 credit hour college courses, and you didn’t even do it all year in our example.
Be creative! You can do a lot with the time you spend driving, even if you commit to only one way. In our example that is 2 extra hours of study a week.
So quit making excuses and start getting creative! It really does work and with the wealth of information both free and what you pay for, there is nothing you can’t learn about and even become an expert in. I have friends that have learned foreign languages, started a new business, and changed the focus of their lives this way.
So here’s to moving forward… and learning all you can along the way.
To your success!
We make it easy for you to get all the information.
What you do with it is up to you!
If I can answer any questions or help you in any way just email me. I am looking forward to your success and helping you build your VA skills!
Have a happy and productive day!
Susan Snyder
Founder/CEO
buildyourvaskills.com
Email me!
PS- Go to http://www.buildyourvaskills.com and look at our current schedule of training. Find one that’s right for you and bring a friend!
PPS- The Inner Circle Coaching Program is filling fast! I have opened up a second group and I am limiting it to the first 25 so you get personal attention! Check it out and start or take your VA practice to the next level. http://www.buildyourvaskills.com/innercircle.html
Sign up for one of our coaching programs and grow your business or learn to work with or on virtual teams.
Want to use this article? You have my permission but you must use the entire article and keep the site links in tact.
Tell me your thoughts.
Do you use this strategy? Will you? What are some other ways you get creative to reach your goals?
Lately I have been trying to figure out how to be much more efficient with my time. Part of the reason is that I am so busy and want to free up some time. Another part is I am looking to bring on more team members and I was interested in what it is that I actually “do” that I could delegate to someone else.
I found out something interesting as I have tracked very closely my tasks over the last month. Did you know about 90% of what you do every day you did yesterday or within the last week? As I think about it now I could have guessed that but you just don’t think about your days that way.
I also found out I spent a lot of time figuring out what exactly I did the last time when a task was either very new, or very involved. That made me realize I needed to get much more intentional about making things easier to duplicate by making checklists or procedures.
Here we go again! You decided to be self-employed or an entrepreneur because you didn’t want the constraints of an operations manual or procedures that were too strict. You want to be “free”. I totally agree. So let’s not get overly corporate and form a committee or anything crazy like that, but let’s just use a little reason and make our work more efficient so we can enjoy a little free time or be able to pursue even more profits with our time.
Track your tasks
Boring I know. I was resistant because I am so busy, it was one more thing I had to do. Believe me though it will be enlightening. You will see exactly what is going on, how much time you are wasting, and how much time you spend reinventing your wheel.
Depending on your personality you can be as detailed as you want or just jot some notes. Keep specific clock time or just jot minutes. Do it a minimum of two work weeks. I did it for a month and it was very enlightening.
Analyze the Results
Now go back through what you wrote down. Make three lists:
1) Repeated tasks with how much time spent and how often they are repeated.
2) Tasks that were just one time but could be delegated if needed.
3) Tasks that will be repeated in the future but are infrequent.
Look objectively at each list. For repeated tasks analyze and prioritize those tasks into a list of what will be the biggest bang if you get it under control.
Make a Plan
With that prioritized list begin working on making a future plan. For each task decide:
1) Does it need a procedure outline?
2) Does it need to be delegated?
3) Does it need to be grouped/scheduled better?
Then work through each of the tasks as you normally would over the next few weeks. As you do the task the next time, act on the decision you made above. You can outline it, make plans to delegate it, or group and schedule it to make it more efficient.
Here are a few things I have outlined with a procedure task and am preparing to delegate to my team:
1) Office Supplies- I spent a lot of time figuring out what toner I needed and where to get it at the best price. This potential sand trap can be taken care of with a list of common supplies and where you got them last time. If you are running to the supply store, check the other items from the same place and pick those up if you need them as well.
2) List of Usernames and Passwords- I know you can relate to this one. I do not advocate writing out the specifics because you are just waiting for someone to find it then. Use a code. For example, I use the same basic username and password for everything but with variations. So I may add a number or a letter to the end. In the documentation I will just put the number or the letter as the password as a reminder. I do the same with the username. I also make notes on special situations with the sites. If you have to do anything special or figure anything out, chances are the next time you visit you will have to figure it out again.
3) Gift lists and birthdays- This is not my forte so I will make a list and remember to check it. Someone gave me a tip of buying and addressing all my birthday cards in one weekend at the beginning of the year. They said to place the mail date where the stamp goes and then put them in order. When the time comes, pop a stamp on it and put it in the mail. No promises but could be a good project for my assistant. (I will sign yours mom…)
The major lesson I learned with this exercise is I can do some simple things without getting too complicated that will help me to be more efficient. I also have more confidence that I can hand a task off if I need to and someone can just jump right in and complete it like I would.
Here’s to moving forward…
Susan Snyder Founder/CEO
BuildYourVASkills.com http://www.pcstraining.net
Go to http://www.buildyourvaskills.com and look at our current schedule of training. Find one that’s right for you and bring a friend!
Sign up for one of our coaching programs and grow your business or learn to work with or on virtual teams.
Want to use this article? You have my permission but you must use the entire article and keep the site links in tact.
Set your goals now…
for high achievement in the next 12 months!
If you’ve been working to grow your business for a while
now and things aren’t happening as fast as you want, then I’d like
to help you create a MAJOR business BREAKTHROUGH.
Here’s the scoop…
I’ve heard from a lot of small businesses that are having an
especially difficult time getting their business to grow fast these days.
After hearing about so many people’s struggles, I decided to do something
about it…
** NEW, For a Limited Time **
I’d like to invite you to take advantage of a special, “Business
Breakthrough” coaching session where we’ll work together to…
=> Create a crystal clear vision for your ‘ultimate business success’
and the “perfect lifestyle” you’d like your business to provide
=> Uncover hidden challenges that may be sabotaging the
growth of your business and keeping you working too
many hours
=> Leave this session renewed, re-energized, and inspired to
turn your business into a highly profitable, revenue-generating
machine that practically runs itself…
If you’d like to take advantage of this very special, very limited,
and totally FREE 30 minute “Business Breakthrough” coaching
session, email me and answer these questions…
1. How long have you had your business?
2. What kind of product/service do you provide?
3. What are your revenue goals for the next 12 months?
4. What was your business revenue over the last 12 months? (ballpark)
5. What do you see as the major challenges holding you and your
business back from growing at the pace you want?
6. On a scale of 0-10, how important is it for you to overcome your challenges
and achieve your goals today?
7. Full Name
8. Email Address
9. Phone #
10. Time Zone
Check off the areas you’d most like to work on…
__ Marketing
__ Picking your Niche
__ Sales Process
__ Turning Your Team Into High Performers
__ Cash Flow Strategies
__ Customer Service
__ Systemizing & Streamlining Processes
__ Leadership & Delegation
__ Other
Since I am making this offer for the first time right now and I
don’t know how intense the response will be, I can’t guarantee a
coaching session for everyone.
I’ll take as many people as I can and then start a waiting
list. You can expect to get contacted by my team to schedule your
session within the next 3 business days.
If you don’t hear from me, it means I’ve received more requests
than my team can handle right now and if something opens up I’ll get
in touch with you at a later time.
Again, to take advantage of this offer, simply email me and
answer the questions listed above.
Remember the sooner you send me your answers, the more likely you are to
get a session. Email me now.
To your success!
We make it easy for you to get all the information.
What you do with it is up to you!
If I can answer any questions or help you in any way just email me. I am looking forward to your success and helping you build your VA skills!
Have a happy and productive day!
Susan Snyder
Founder/CEO
buildyourvaskills.com
Email me!
PS- Go to http://www.buildyourvaskills.com and look at our current schedule of training. Find one that’s right for you and bring a friend!
PPS- The Inner Circle Coaching Program is filling fast! I have opened up a second group and I am limiting it to the first 25 so you get personal attention! Check it out and start or take your VA practice to the next level. http://www.buildyourvaskills.com/innercircle.html
The advantages of working with a virtual team and having virtual clients are many. Among those advantages are less idle chatter, no annoying co-worker popping by just when you are in a zone, and in general the quiet. That is also a disadvantage.
It is much harder to build a relationship with a team member and pick up on each other’s silent cues and non-verbal communication. The only solution is to use virtual tools and to probably in your mind over communicate.
Here’s some tools to avoid things being missed and to get everyone on the same page.
In the beginning- Setup and communicate with your team and with clients your best means of communication. Do you like email? Do you prefer the phone? Can you be reached only at certain hours? Make sure everyone knows how they are expected to communicate, how often, and when.
Email- While not perfect email is still the best method of communicating and documenting the work process. Make sure everyone “whitelists” you and adds you to their contact list. Make sure you add them to your contact list. Sometimes file size for attachments is an issue. Make sure you know if their service will block large files and find ways of dealing with it.
Telephone-Sometimes it is just easier to pick up the phone. I find it much easier to work out a complex question or if you feel you are not getting it. Frustration comes from not having all the information or not getting the emotions behind the written communication. Schedule periodic phone check-ins, preferrably weekly, so you can get that personal interaction and just clear the air.
Instant Messenger, Chat, Texts- These are great resources to talk out situations as well if one or more of you can’t be on the phone for whatever reason. It is still hard to get a handle on true feelings if it is a sticky situation but the communication is real time and may be better than a disconnected email conversation. There are several programs out there. Make sure you know which ones everyone uses and try to get a concensus on what everyone uses.
Snail mail and fax- While very “old school” it still is necessary at times. Check into online faxing tools like efax and it will save you a ton of time and resources, but will give you a professional look with a real fax number.
Now that you have the tools in place, communicate with clients whenever you work on their projects. In the email include:
- What tasks you worked on
- If needed the hours spent
- What you still need to do
- Any questions you have
- Any suggestions you have
When dealing with your team virtually consider these communication tips:
- Consider a weekly team meeting, via conference call or skype.
- Get a project planning software that everyone can update and have access to Basecamp, Microsoft Project, or another program will do the trick. This will foster greater communication and anyone can look at the project and know where it is at.
- Treat your team like clients. Make sure you are communicating with them regularly to make sure they know your piece of the puzzle is being worked on and moving forward.
- Let them know when you will be available, unreachable, and in general what your working hours will be.
Communicating virtually provides freedom and flexibility. It can cause problems if not done consistently, effectively and in a manner that really speaks to your team and your clients. Without the advantage of the spoken word and being present to pick up on non-verbal cues, you really have to make an effort to over communicate. What feels to you like over the top may be just right for the person you are keeping in the loop.
Susan Snyder
Founder/CEO buildyourvaskills.com
Go to http://www.buildyourvaskills.com and look at our current schedule of training. Find one that’s right for you and bring a friend!
Posted in communication, email, virtual assistant, work at home, work from home, working virtually |
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Where does it go? Like Sand through the hour glass, so are the Days…
Have you ever been in this situation? You are typing feverishly on your computer getting ready for a presentation, the phone is ringing, the dog is barking, you have to get the kids to your mom’s so she can watch them for the presentation…you look up…10:00! What! I haven’t even showered!
If you are a work at home professional I am sure you have been right there. Some of us more times than we would care to admit.
First let me assure you I am no time management guru. What with kids, my business, client projects, phones, Facebook, kids, laundry, kids… you know the drill. So what is a busy Work From Home Pro supposed to do?
I also know many of you may not have kids, but we all have distractions. There is no one looking over our shoulder to make sure we are on task. No clock to punch in and out. It is easy to look up and the time be much later than you expected and the to do list to still be much longer than you hoped.
While I still have sometimes major issues in this area, I have found some strategies that work for me. Here are some tips to making your work from home time as productive as it can be.
1) Schedule your time. I know, you work from home for the freedom of time it provides. You can make your schedule look like whatever you want. THAT’S the freedom, no one will tell you how to schedule your time. Nor will you have to have a committee meeting to decide what to put on the agenda. You don’t have to have it signed by your supervisor or any of the mundane hoops that contributed to your exodus from the traditional work place. But just like your money, if you don’t budget your time, it will be gone and you will wonder where it went!
2) Build in breaks. Gone are the days of your mandatory 15 minute breaks. However, they are still important. They can serve as a reset for your brain, get your muscles loosened up, and keep your tummy from grumbling. Take a walk, call a friend, play with kids, whatever makes it feel like a break for you.
3) Schedule “POWER” Sessions. Whether they are 15 minutes, 30 minutes, or 5 minutes long, schedule chunks of time that you focus with intensity on a SINGLE task. You will be shocked at what you can accomplish in little spurts of time. Here’s the rules:
* Turn off all distractions- No phone, no email, no twitter deck, no facebook, nothing that will interrupt your flow.
* Pick a single task and a single goal. You may not complete an entire project in a 15 or 30 minute slot but you can complete a task toward the project.
* Make it a length of time you can stay undistracted, short and concise. Two hours is not a power session.
* Set a timer and do nothing but work on that task until the timer goes off.
* Take a quick break
* Rinse and Repeat
4) Have realistic expectations. It will take some time to work out what works for you. In time you will determine how many power sessions in a day, how long they need to be for the tasks you do, and how many breaks you need. Don’t try to save the world and build the new stadium in one day. Break apart your tasks, schedule them out in the day, and pat yourself on the back when you get them done.
5) Be Consistent- When you do discover strategies that work for you, practice them consistently, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly.
6) Be Persistent- When you fall off the wagon, get back up. You must evaluate what is working, what is not, and if you are being too hard or too soft on yourself. Ask for outside perspective if you are having a block in this area. Just keep trying.
7) Re-evaluate often- You don’t have a manager giving you performance reviews. Give yourself one. Ask yourself the questions a manager would ask. See what works, what needs improving and set things up so you have success and not failure.
If you keep these ideas in mind you will be able to get a better handle on your schedule. You work from home for many reasons. Primarily you are working to make money and to build a business. If your time is not productive, you will be frustrated, your clients will be irritated and your business will grow slower than you want. Manage your time wisely.
To your success!
Susan Snyder
Founder/CEO buildyourvaskills.com
Go to http://www.buildyourvaskills.com and look at our current schedule of training. Find one that’s right for you and bring a friend!
Posted in power sessions, time budgeting, time management, work at home, work from home |
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