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By Marige O'Brien, Copyright© 2006
One of the biggest obstacles confronting those who want to work online is time management. 90% either still work a full-time job, have small children to care for, or have health issues that slow them down-- or a combination of these factors. Yet, even in an ideal situation (with none of these issues to consider), time management can be difficult.
The reason is that modern society is designed around a structured schedule. From the time most children enter pre-school until they grow old and reach retirement, there is always a schedule to keep. Conversely, we become dependent on that schedule. Without it, most people are lost. But whether the problem is an already difficult schedule to work around or a sudden rift that creates too little structure, there are several practical ways to combat this.
To begin with, self-discipline IS the key. And, while many people grapple with self-discipline, this is only because they don't recognise it for what it is: taking oneself seriously. Discipline is not denying oneself, but focusing your energy to achieve a long-term goal and taking that goal seriously. Yes, boys and girls, self-discipline is your friend. If you don't believe me, ask anyone who has lost more than 50 pounds.
Below is a list of five practical, every-day time management disciplines. These are the building blocks needed to achieve success online. Each section is relevant for both those with a full schedule and those with a free schedule.
1. CREATE A SET SCHEDULE AND KEEP IT
It doesn't matter if it's one hour a day or 15, the main thing is to set a specific time to work and, except for extreme circumstances, stick to it. In the case of those with a full schedule, it is vital to maintain those one or two hours to show any achievement. Those hours are more valuable to your goal BECAUSE they are so limited.
Conversely, for those with unlimited time, the goal is to NOT overwork yourself. In the long run, it will only lead to burn out and that tends to happen when there are no limitations. Also, distractions tend to creep in (such as household chores, appointments, socializing, etc.). So set a regular (and reasonable) start and stop time. Allot time for breaks, just as someone in any other job would expect. And stick to it.
Having a regular time schedule creates a framework to build on.
2. BE REALISTIC
Work WITHIN those time constraints. For those on a limited schedule, spend a little extra time looking for marketing tools that fit. Avoid such things as article marketing, for instance, and focus on safelists instead. One caution: don't be fooled into believing you can BUY success, i.e., that you can pay for something and it will make up for your lack of time. That is the scammers breeding ground. There are plenty of options for those on a tight budget and a limited time frame such as safelists, traffic exchanges and link exchanges. Even opt-in Cam-Spam compliant email marketing is an option.
The main obstacle for those with abundant time is to remain frugal about it. In fact, marketers in this situation are more like the proverbial "kid in a candy store" and waste a great deal of their time because they fail to plan. Time is so much like money-- no matter how much one has, there is always a limit.
So invest some time in creating a marketing strategy that works.
3. FOCUS: NO TV, NO TELEPHONE, NO EMAIL
In order to keep a realistic schedule, the first thing to go is many of the unnecessary distractions that, in a workplace environment, may be tolerated but on the home front, must be avoided at all costs. While it seems impossible to some, these are not condusive to accomplishing anything. And while email can be a part of business, it should be set aside during regular work hours since it all too often "feels" like work, when it isn't at all.
When it's time to work, turn these off and keep them off and your rate of success will soar.
4. CONSISTENCY: A REGULAR WORK ROUTINE
Having set a schedule and established a strategy, the next step is to create a regular routine. For those on a limited schedule the routine might be doing one type of marketing per day. That is, safelists Monday and Thursday; email marketing Tuesday and Fridays; forum visits Wednesday and Saturday. For the full time marketer, the same idea applies, only more so. I.e., three types of marketing per day, instead of one, depending on the marketing strategy.
The important factor is to repeat the same duties on a regular basis. Participating in a traffic exchange once in a while will do nothing. But participating 2-3 times a week will show a return.
5. WEEKLY SCHEDULE
In addition to having a set of daily chores, create a weekly schedule for larger projects (updating a website, writing articles, exploring new marketing tools, etc.) and plan to focus on each project once or twice a week. While this is more viable for those with an open schedule, but it can be adapted to the limited schedule, too, by spending extra (weekend?) time on a larger project and limiting it to one project per week.
All of these steps will help to create a liveable, manageable schedule no matter what the particular situation. In creating a schedule remember the most important issues are Realism, Consistency and Focus.--mo
About the Author
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Marige O'Brien (Tracker Mo) actively works as a writer,
web designer and internet marketer. Visit her website, Tracker Mo's Den (http://www.trackermo.com), for her
latest recommended business opportunities, etools and articles.
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