Time management can be very difficult for people who work from home. It is easy to get distracted, to get caught up working on things around the house, or to let interruptions get to you.

One way of improving your time management skills are to keep a timelog If you keep a timelog for a week, you’ll find many ways you can improve yourself. I’ve done this a couple of times in a past and have always found it useful. I’ll be doing it again shortly.

Here is a very good post on how and why to run a timelog:

http://www.scotthyoung.com/blog/2007/11/19/why-you-need-to-run-a-timelog-and-how-to-do-it/

Here is the original source post:

http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/11/do-you-run-timelog.html

Danny

Here is a very good article about how to stay motivated and productive. For most everyone in a home business this can be a challenge and this article provides some wonderful tips.

As you’ll see if you read my comment in its comments section, I have a few problems with point #4, but the other 9 are gems!

http://freelanceswitch.com/freelancing-essentials/10-lessons-every-successful-freelancer-has-learned/

Enjoy
Danny

A while back, my wife and I went for supper with one of her friends. It was someone she hadn’t seen in a long time (several years). During that time my wife’s life has changed significantly. She has changed jobs, moved countries, and gotten married to name a few things. We spent a couple of hours with her friend visiting. The entire time we talked about him. He told us all about his life, job, and relationships. Not once did he ask about my wife’s life, her job or her move. Not only that, but he never asked questions about me – someone he had never met. Now thankfully my wife and I (especially my wife) are good at asking questions, so we actually had things to talk about the entire time (well he had things to talk about…. ).

How would you have felt if you were in our place? Chances are you would be a little surprised and disappointed. My wife’s friend didn’t show any real interest in her at all.

If you want to win friends, develop good relationships and a network, one of the most important tips is to be interested in others. Ask questions, learn about them, and show genuine interest in who they are. Following this tip will go a long way towards success.

Danny

Seth Godin has a great post about the difference between trying to get ahead by beating the system and trying to get a head by working the system.

We see this all the time in the home business world. People start a new business and try to re-invent the wheel. They look for any shortcut to get to the tip. These people think that they know how to do things better than those already successful in the company.

The thing is, sometimes these people do get some quick success, however it is always short lived. Those who want do develop a long-term residual income will work within the system, following the path set forth by others. If and when you pass the people who at the top of the company then, and only then, have you earned the right to blaze a trail. Until then, work the system that exists and you will achieve the results that others have.

Here is Seth’s Post:
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2008/05/the-spirit-of-t.html

Danny

If you travel long distances frequently, this will be great news for you: Fasting can eliminate the effects of jet lag!

I know I’m going to try it.

For the full article go:
http://www.reuters.com/article/domesticNews/idUSN2252042720080522?sp=true

For a short version, and my source go to Boing Boing:

http://www.boingboing.net/2008/05/26/fasting-may-prevent.html

Danny

I came across this great post at The Positivity Blog. It goes through history to find great quotes that teach a lot about social skills – and I might add about leadership. The article is well worth reading, but if you don’t have time at least read all of the quotes.

Article is here:
http://www.positivityblog.com

Danny

Here is a great post!

What amazes me is how many this list will work for people in any business, career, or avenue of life. I think people should print out this list, and post it in front of their desk. Following that take 2 minutes every day to skim the list and remind yourself of things that are important!

http://www.dumblittleman.com/2007/11/7-simple-tips-that-will-turn-you-into.html

Danny

Most people who have a home business do not have a business plan. Even the people who have a business plan often don’t have an active business plan. These people may have created a business plan when they started their business but likely haven’t looked at it for a long time.

An active business plan is a plan of attack that you can work from on a daily basis. To do this you need to have an overarching business plan. You should develop the overarching business plan and then review it AT LEAST once each year, perhaps two or three times a year.

From your overarching business plan you should be able to plan your week and from your weekly plan you should be able to plan daily.

This also clarifies your planning time. You should spend about one day twice per year focusing on updating your active business plan. This should be in a private location where you can think, reflect and not be interrupted. Then you can spend about one hour each week planning the upcoming week, and lastly spend about 10 minutes each day planning the following day. Keep focused on the activities you have planned in your overarching business plan.

This should keep you on track!

Danny