Make Your “To-Do List” More Efficient

Posted by Lisa Bredahl on August 1, 2008 under Articles | Be the First to Comment

Make Your “To-Do List” More Efficient  Small business owners spend so much time running around trying to accomplish so much.  It is important for you to manage your time wisely.  Here is a time management idea that will help you be more efficient. 1.    Create Categories of “To-Do’s”2.    Create “Urgent To-Do’s” It’s That Simple…. J   Example: 

Categories: 

• Running Errands
• Miscellaneous
• Office Supplies Needed
• Email To-Do’s
• Computer To-Do’s
• Calls To Make
• Items to do at the Business
• On-Line Search/To-Do’s
• Urgent List

  
Now Create Your “To-Do List” to be most efficient.  This way you don’t run all over town wasting time and energy. Example: 

Email (set a specific time of the day to check your email.  Don’t let it run your life!)

• Check Email
• Send an Email to XXXX regarding XXX
• Send email newsletter to customers

Call (set a specific time of the day to call.  Delegate what you can!)

• Call XXXX
• Call BBBB  about xxx
• Call CCCC to schedule XXX
• Order YYYY

Running Errands (are you spending multiple days running errands?  Strategically plan your trip to avoid extra travel time/gas expenses… designate 1 day a week to do your errands)

• Office Supply Store
  • Computer paper
  • Pens
  • Order business cards
  • folders
• Grocery Store/Gordon Foods/Sam’s/Etc.
  • Paper towel
  • Pinesol
  • Windex
• Post Office
  • .41 cent stamps x 100
  • .76 cent steps x 20
  • Mail package
• Bank
  • Deposit money

6 Urgent To-Do’s (these are items from your to-do list that must be done today)

• Order YYYY
• Send an Email to XXXX
• Call to schedule appointement
• Call the News Paper to place ad

Provided by Licensed Business Coach, Lisa Bredahl, Small Business Coaching Center LLC 269 370-9453

Franchising, Is It a Business or a Job?

Posted by admin on January 15, 2008 under Articles | Read the First Comment

Easy answer:  It’s Both!

If you’re considering a franchise purchase, you’re considering whether you want to make running your own business your job.  That may sound obvious, but if you’ve never run your own business you may think that it isn’t a job, its an investment or a ticket to riches, or many other things.  It most certainly is however, a job, and its a job that is almost guaranteed to take more of your time than traditional employment ever would.   Working for yourself is, and should be more work than working for someone else.

That is why you can’t take the idea of purchasing a franchise or any business lightly.  You will need to put your heart  into the business, and therefore it has to be something you love to do.  If you’re in the market to make a large investment of your time and money you will burn yourself out if the reason for investment is to just make money.  Money is a motivator to only a small extent.  If money was the top motivator in the world, then Yugo Cars would still be around.  Things like, status, prestige, power, freedom, community, charity, and much more are often a stronger motivator, and a much longer term motivator.

Whether its a job or an investment in business you’re looking for the same holds true.  Look for something you love, because when you realize its something you don’t, money won’t motivate you during the lean times because there won’t be any.