Finding Time For Your Home Based Business
One of the questions which people ask me quite frequently is “how did I find the time to start my home based network marketing business when I worked 14 hrs/day at my job?”. It’s interesting because when your desire to do something is so strong, you will take the time to do it. And in 1995, when I decided to do a home based business, I had a very strong desire to start spending time with my 8 year old son and to do that, I had to bring in a FT income.
I became the best student and I want to share with you some of what I believe to be the “Keys” to Time Management which is really Self Management.
Time Management Tips For The Home Based Business Owner:
1) Time is the most valuable commodity we have. We all have 24 hrs/day and we can’t buy another hour no matter how much money we have. Start to value every second as if it was money, because everyday we are given 86,400 seconds and if we don’t use it wisely will be gone forever. Suppose we had $86,400 to use daily, and if we didn’t use it wisely it would be gone forever, would we be very careful about how we used it? Yes, in fact, we would invest it so it would not be wasted. Now think about every second this way, because if we would invest it in learning, in leaving our legacy, in duplication, into things which we knew would always have a return in the future, we would never waste another second again. 😛
2) Now that I have changed your perspective on Time, all successful people use a planner and plan out every minute of everyday, so that they “Invest” their time wisely. We will find that once we are willing to follow a planner everyday and do what we planned to do, we will have so much time to do so much more. Schedule everything from work time, time with our children, time with our loved ones, personal time, etc.
3) Benjamin Franklin said “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail”. Time Management is really about setting our priorities and following the Pareto Principle or the 80-20 rule. The principle says that if we make a list of all of the tasks we want to do today, there are 20% of those tasks which will produce 80% of the result we want at the end of the day. The same rule applies to everything in life, therefore, once we start using a planner, make a list of all the things we want to do, then prioritize the ones which are the most important. Schedule these into our day first, then the next important, and so forth. The key is planning our day the night before and following our planner each day.
4) Wherever you are, Be there. One of the mistakes I made when I started my home business was…when it was my son’s “time” and the phone would ring, I would sometimes answer it. Then at times, I would be with him, however, I would be thinking about my business. Ironically, then when I was working on my business, I would feel guilty about not being with my son! 🙄 One of my mentors taught me “wherever you are Kellie, be there” and it made all the difference in the world. When it was my son’s time, I never answered the phone again, it would just ring and the machine would answer it. I could see how happy he was as I ignored the phone and gave him my full attention. He was happy, so then when it was time for my business, I focused on my business, and because my son knew he had his time, he gave me my time with pleasure! 😀
5) In the book “The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People” by Stephen Covey, he talks about how highly effective people spend their time planning, so they do not spend their time “chasing fires”. They always do things which are important, but not urgent. Most people spend their time on things which are urgent everyday. Planning is pro-active whereas the other is re-active. Here’s a great video in which Stephen Covey teaches how we can get everything we want done, if we do the top priority things first:
Wasn’t that eye-opening? I have used a planner very diligently every since I started my home business and it has helped me keep my priorities straight and to be able to plan for all the ‘big rocks” and well as the “small pebbles” in our life.
😆
April 13th, 2010 at 5:31 am
Kellie! I SO need this right now! Thankyou! <3<3<3
April 14th, 2010 at 4:06 pm
Great Annette! I must have heard you then…LOL Aloha 🙂
April 13th, 2010 at 7:30 am
Hi Kellie,
Thank you for your insightful article about investing your time wisely and steps on how to do so. I especially enjoyed the video clip demonstrating how vital it is to prioritize and give attention to the 20% versus the 80%. So easy to let the day run you if you don’t plan it out. Thanks again!
Gigi
April 14th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Oh I so agree with you Gigi! Stephen Covey is so good at demonstrating his concepts. I am so happy you are gaining insight from our articles. I really appreciate all of your comments and feedback. 🙂
April 13th, 2010 at 11:11 am
Fantastic blog post Kellie! I really enjoyed watching the video. What a wonderful demonstration to show we need to work on the important tasks first, and not get bogged down by the small stuff. The gentle reminder brought a smile to my face.
With two small children at home, I really resonated with the advice: Wherever you are, Be there. Simple, yet incredibly powerful words!
April 14th, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Thank you so much Lisa! Your children are so fortunate to have a mother who is learning so much and is so aware of their needs. And yes, the concept “wherever you are, be there” makes all the difference in the world. I do my best to always Be there or Be in the Now! Mahalo 🙂
April 13th, 2010 at 1:00 pm
Aloha Kellie!
This was such an appropriate post in such perfect timing..as always! Your intuitive abilities and listening to the greater call to helping others in your organization and around the world is simply amazing! 🙂
I was just sharing with a few of my distributors how you taught me how to use this principle of planning. You showed me that by scheduling every minute of the day, with eating the biggest frogs first, and following the list of priorities, I’ve found, like you said here, lots of time to get things done. I still have a couple of hours a day to spend quality time with my family and loved ones and I even schedule the time I’m going to be with my boyfriend. And this in turn, leads to the principle “Wherever you are be there!”
I love living my life from a planner and schedule. Like you said, the 20% of things scheduled make up for the 80% of success and fulfillment that shows up in my life.
Another suggestion you’ve made to me years ago was to use a “time-log.” This showed me where I was wasting alot of time! A very eye-opening experience!
I will repost this! Very valuable content for those seeking a successful and fulfilled life!
With love and light,
Shannon
.-= Shannon Tecson´s last blog ..The Millionaires Journey: We Become What We Think About =-.
April 14th, 2010 at 4:14 pm
I heard you too Shannon…LOL..I think in this day of massive information, everyone is a little challenged with “getting it all” done. Therefore, these concepts are very applicable probably now more than ever. Mahalo 🙂
April 13th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Thanks for a great post about Time Kellie.
I especially like the video about what to put in your “jar” of life first. It’s amazing how easy it is to forget that at times.
Have an awesome day,
Val 🙂
.-= Val Wilcox´s last blog ..I See YOU! =-.
April 14th, 2010 at 4:15 pm
Thank you Val! I love seeing your smiling face here. 🙂 I love the Stephen Covey video too! He’s so good! Aloha 🙂
April 13th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
Thank you Kellie. Once again, your insight came when I could reall use it. When you are in the middle of all of the “pebbles” of life and business, it can be overwhelming to try to get all of the important things done. That video is great. I read Steven Covey’s 7 Habit book years ago and keep meaning to get back to using the principles. This was just the jog I needed. Thanks again, and thanks to Shannon, I am going to start a “time log” too!
Sandy
.-= Sandy & Al Abrams´s last blog ..Nutrition for the Frazzled Female =-.
April 14th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Great Sandy! I am so thrilled to be assisting such a wise woman as yourself! Glad you loved his video also. Stephen Covey is great! And great concepts live on forever. Aloha 🙂
April 13th, 2010 at 2:25 pm
Kellie,
Thank you for your wisdom again! Yes, time is the most valuable commodity and we are to appreciate and honor it.
Always entertaining, inspiring adn educating us.
Thank you,
Venus 🙂
.-= Venus :)´s last blog ..The Power & Speed Of My Tribe =-.
April 13th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
I love posts on time management. Mastering this skill is such a crucial element in becoming an effective home based business marketer.
.-= Scott Scales´s last blog ..Can Your Autoresponder Do This? =-.
August 5th, 2010 at 9:48 pm
Thanks for the comments Scott! Hope you gained a lot from it. Aloha 🙂
Kellie Hosaka�´s last blog post ..Do You Ever Feel Stuck In Your Personal Growth
April 13th, 2010 at 4:21 pm
Hey Kellie
Really great article!
I’d like to do what you suggest … but I don’t have the time!! LOL
But seriously, as Val says, its so important to do the simple things which save us time so we can work smarter and not harder.
Powerful reminder and well written too…
April 19th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
Aloha Sandhan,
Thank you for your comments and I loved your joke…LOL… Thank you for your kind compliments. I am so happy to see your smiling face.
Much love & aloha,
Kellie 🙂
April 14th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
Mahalo (thank you) Venus! I really appreciate your comments as you yourself are a very wise soul. I am so happy you found value in our article. Aloha 🙂
April 16th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Love the post, you have some real valuable content with this post.
Bill
April 19th, 2010 at 11:32 pm
Mahalo (thank you) Bill! So nice to see you here on our blog! Aloha 🙂
April 16th, 2010 at 10:13 pm
Wow, incredible post and video! Will start to use a planner and do things more efficiently.
April 19th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Mahalo for your comments Cheryl! Yes, a planner makes all the difference! I live by mine. Aloha:)
April 17th, 2010 at 1:01 pm
Hi Kellie, This is a fantastic post. You share so many gems here.
I especially love Stephen Covey’s jar video. So powerful in demonstrating how good planning and prioritizing can make all the difference in successful time management. Thanks for sharing this great stuff!
~Kara
.-= Kara Grabenhorst´s last blog ..Don’t like it? Change it NOW =-.
April 19th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
Hey Kara,
Thank you so much! I love seeing you on our blog!
Yes, isn’t Stephen Covey the best! I love his teachings and his books.
Aloha 🙂
April 18th, 2010 at 1:18 am
Hi Kellie,
this is amazing , and has come at the right time.
The Video was brilliant, and really shows how good planning is essencial
.-= Jean´s last blog ..“LinkedIn” =-.
April 19th, 2010 at 6:14 pm
Aloha Jean,
Oh, I am so happy this assisted you! Yes, I agree, Stephen Covey’s video is the best! Thank you for your comments Jean! I love seeing you on our blog.
Aloha 🙂
April 18th, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Time Management is one of the most crucial things to master for any busy professional or entrepreneur. I have enjoyed balancing all the big things in life while still making room for the little things. I consider it a challenge. And – yes I use a planner EVERY DAY!! Those things do work. Thank you for sharing this video with us. It was fun to watch her trying to fit everything in…and yes I often feel that way too. 🙂
Appreciate all you do Kellie.
Krista
.-= Krista Abbott´s last blog ..Viral Explosions Book Launch Gets You FREE Stuff! =-.
April 19th, 2010 at 6:17 pm
Mahalo (thank you) Krista for your very valuable comments! Congratulations on using a planner daily…they do work, don’t they? 🙂 I’m glad you loved the video too!
I really appreciate all you do too Krista! You are incredible. 🙂
Much love & aloha 🙂
April 19th, 2010 at 11:08 am
Kellie, awesome tips! Time management is so critical to not just business success, but to enabling us to have a work/home balance that is the key to real success. I love the videos! It can feel really odd to be working at home, yet needing to work from a planner but its actually a very powerful piece of advice.
Love ya hun, keep on shining!
Kimberly
.-= Kimberly Castleberry´s last blog ..List Building – The Cornerstone of Internet Marketing =-.
April 19th, 2010 at 6:20 pm
Mahalo (thank you) Kimberly for your awesome comments! I am so happy you loved the videos.
And yes, I agree with you…finding the work/home balance is the key to success and using a planner works like crazy!
Love you too Kimberly! You are an angel. 🙂
Aloha,
Kellie 🙂
May 9th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
This is a fantastic article Kellie! I love it that you’ve included a powerful video about putting the big rocks in first. Personally, my biggest issue is time management. “Have you every been so busy driving that you don’t have time to get gas?” We all have the the same 168 hours a week. No way to get more time. Gonna have to find ways to use the time I have to get the results I want. Thanks for being such a wonderful inspiration to me Kellie and being an example of doing whatever it takes to get what you really want!
May 10th, 2010 at 5:00 pm
Aloha Lilith,
So wonderful to see your smiling face here on our blog! Glad you liked the article on Time Management. Yes, Stephen Covey is one of the best!
Thank you for your kind comments! Looking forward to seeing you again!
Aloha,
Kellie 🙂
May 12th, 2010 at 5:08 am
Hello Kellie:
Your blog is definitely one of the “big rocks” that should go in my daily bucket and planner. I love the visual…just like Ellie Drake’s big rock/gravel/sand example. This reminder makes me realize how much more efficient I can get in utilizing my planner and charting my day. Like Brian Tracy says, the way you use/plan your time is an indication of how much you value yourself. This is an area that I truly can get better in.
May 12th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
Great to see you here Debra! So glad you are enjoying our articles. We hope to see you again.
Aloha 🙂
.-= Kellie Hosaka´s last blog ..What Is “Spiritual Awakening” & How Does It Relate To My Business? – pt. 2 =-.
May 17th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
Kellie, This is a marvellous Blog. I love all your posts and will return to read them all.
May 18th, 2010 at 5:38 am
So nice to meet you Gloria! Yes, please come back and let me know how you feel about the articles. Aloha 🙂
August 5th, 2010 at 4:22 pm
That video was so funny, but very useful as well. I found this very useful, just as I knew I would. I now have a better understanding of just how important time management is. Fa’afetai (thank you) for sharing
August 5th, 2010 at 9:47 pm
So glad it helped you today Tinei! That’s why I love videos! Aloha 🙂
Kellie Hosaka�´s last blog post ..Do You Ever Feel Stuck In Your Personal Growth
August 9th, 2010 at 7:20 am
A very challenging & valuable article.My wish is to be an effective planner like you. Mahalo Kellie for all your amazing, brilliant & powerful insights/encouragement & generous sharing with us. It is very selfless act to give as you do. You are such an inspiration to all your readers & friends.May God bless you, your loved ones & all you do!
August 9th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Aloha Judith,
So nice to meet you here on our blog! Thank you very much for your kind comments. When I receive comments like yours, I feel so good inside, it makes me want to give more, so thank you! Hope to see you again soon. Aloha 🙂
Kellie Hosaka�´s last blog post ..How To Use The Pareto Principle 80-20 Rule To Increase Your Success
April 7th, 2011 at 11:32 am
Thank you for sharing this, Kellie. I sometimes try to fly by the seat of my pants…no excuse for that because I have a daytimer and a google calendar. Discipline to use them is Key! :/