Time
Time is our biggest asset and liability all in one. Do you spend your time or do you invest your time?
Time is fleeting they say. One of my favorite quotes on the subject of time comes from Delmore Schwarz, “Time is the fire in which we burn.”
Do you have a spouse? Children? Family or loved ones? Most people, including my wife, work during the day and have the weekends off. For many entrepreneurs, they don’t have the 9 to 5 punch in punch out the situation. So what’s a busy person like you to do? The answer: prioritize.
Just as financial advisors tell you to always pay yourself first (savings accounts, investments and the like) you NEED to prioritize the PEOPLE in your life before the THINGS.
I’ve invested A LOT of time this year away from my family to improve my business and provide for my family…a struggle as a person that I’m sure you are all too familiar with as well. Sometimes we make sacrifices for the greater good but the key is to make the most of the time that you have with the people in your life who are most important to you. My wife and I still take a yearly vacation together alone. Our family takes one yearly vacation together as well. Pay yourself your family time first. Put it on the schedule and don’t move it for anything.
There have been several books, seminars and courses written and taken on time management. Some are worth your TIME while others are not. Some of the best time management tips I have ever received is in Chapter 1 of the highly acclaimed book The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes. In the book, Chet talks about how best to prioritize our time, how to decide which tasks to complete first, how many tasks you should take on in a day (answer: 5). It’s a great read on business, time management and sage sales advice.
Another great way to save time is to automate as much of your tasks as possible.
I have an auto-responder that is carefully worded NOT to appear as an auto-responder that is sent out the morning after an event. I’ve had people respond back saying “My gosh…get some sleep! Can’t believe you took the time to write that at that time of day!” Of course, I didn’t write it that early in the morning but they thought I did. The task of touching base with her still was achieved albeit automated and saved me time and allowed me some shuteye. Here’s a copy of that email for you to use if you wish.
It was a pleasure working with you this past weekend. Working with people such as yourself who truly have their client’s best interests at heart makes my job easier. Thank you for all that you do and if I can ever help you build your business, please let me know. I’ll be sure to pass along your name to future clients looking for your services.
Finally, take time out for YOU. Yes, YOU. YOU need time to recharge your batteries and stay focused to be the best you possibly can be for your business AND your family. It’s one of the best time investments you can personally make.