Editor's note: Time
is the self-employed entrepreneur's most valuable asset. (S)he after all
is often the only source of income as well as decision maker of the
business. Without the entrepreneur there, very little
happens.
So what happens when the self-employed
entrepreneur's time is wasted? Basically, business shuts down. BB Lee
covers just a few of the biggest time wasters for entrepreneurs, though most
of these can also be considered big time wasters for larger businesses as
well.
7 Top Home Business Time Wasters
by: BB Lee
What I call "Time Wasters" is any
action interfering with running your home based business.
What Are The 7 Most Common Time Wasters?
Check Out The Following!
1. Email.
Email is without a doubt a very important
factor in operating your Online business. After you've mastered sending and
receiving email, there's no limit to the people or organizations you can reach
at the press of the send button.
There is a downside to the marvelous
convenience of email. Think of all the time the average business person spends
checking email accounts. You could easily waste half your work day on email.
To the rescue e-prompter. This free software is
easy to use and it will check several email accounts while you surf or work on
other business matters.
Download e-prompter here...
www.downloads.com
www.snapfiles.com
2. Pop Ups.
Are you bombarded with pop ups at every turn on
the Internet? Pop ups will slow down your surfing and it's down right
frustrating trying to get rid of these annoying unwanted ads. As you know,
Internet Explorer is not packaged with a good pop up blocker. So you will
definitely need to download one if you plan to surf the Internet regularly.
To the rescue Google Toolbar!
The Google tool bar has a great and free anti
pop up weapon.
Download the Google bar.
http://www.google.com
3. Surfing.
How often do you plan to check a website
resource, and click unrelated links.
Fight mindless surfing!
Remember your goal. Ignore links that detract
from your objective. If you are looking for information on the latest
"Computer Virus Hoax" why are you visiting music sites or downloading
screen savers?
4. Forgetting To Write Down Your Objectives.
Open Notepad or write what you plan to do on a sticky note. And check off the
goals as you accomplish them. This listing method works great if you overloaded
with too many task.
5. Time Limits.
Learn To Set a time limit! This will force you
to focus on accomplishing your objective within the designated time frame. For
example, limit yourself to 30 minutes checking email, or 1 hour researching a
topic.
Here's an easy little count down timer that you
can download.
Download Egg Timer Here:
http://www.geocities.com/smallbizbits/free.html
6. Telephone/Television Distractions.
Unplug your telephone. Turn off that
television. The telephone is a big time waster. Ignore urges to check your voice
mail or answering machine for messages every few minutes. Only return important
calls.
No more soaps! That's right! While you are
working tape your favorite programs. Watch them after business hours.
7. Family Distractions:
Make
your home office "Off Limit" during work hours. Tell family members to
handle any minor problems while you are at your computer. Close the door to your
office. Place a sign on it "Do Not Disturb During Work Hours."
© BB Lee
About The Author
BB
Lee is editor/publisher of SmallBizBits News. A Home Based
Business Newsletter packed with info on starting a home biz.
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