![]() | |
![]() | |
![]() |
Time Management Information |
|
![]() |
Making Headway on a Slow Day: 9 Ways to Turn Down-Time into Productivity Time
If you work from home, you know the kind of day I mean. You made the calls. You revised those drafts. You sent out the emails. Where is everybody!? As much as you used to relish a slow day when you were corporate, it's a little different when you're playing boss to yourself. Your mind gets to wandering. Should I head out to the park? Should I hit the mall? Should I... file for unemployment? For a freelance writer, designer or web marketer who works from home, a day without contact from the outside world can bring on anything from sluggishness and inertia to a panic attack. Such fun games the mind will play when the two of you are left alone for long periods of time! But here's a little secret about slow days. They're the perfect opportunity to catch up on everything that went out of your head the minute the phone stopped ringing. How do you remember what it is you were supposed to be doing before it became unimportant? Think back to the last time you were swamped! Chances are, your mind was in overdrive, firing off ideas about how you could be improving your business. Were you mulling over a couple of articles? Pipedreaming a new web marketing strategy with an online buddy? Wishing you had remembered to meta-tag every page of your website? A slow day is your big chance to get cracking on those little plans that will lead to big business for your company. Do you make lists of things that never get accomplished? Today's the day you'll be filling that goal notebook with checkmarks! Here are some tips on how to make headway on a slow day. 1. Learn a new program. Remember last month when you bought "HTML for Dummies" and then tossed it into your closet? Now's the time to drag that book out of hiding. Remember that free software you installed along with your scanner? Take the tutorial. A day that's free of interruption is the perfect day to pick up a few new technical pointers. Mastering some new programs can save you a huge headache when push comes to shove and you're struggling with that last-minute project. 2. Organize your workspace. Isn't it about time you stopped using the floor as your file cabinet? And STOP depending on your email for phone numbers; you'll be sorry the day the server goes down and you can't get in touch with your biggest client! Invest in some hanging file folders and a Rolodex--so you'll have easy access to contact information, project notes, contracts and such. Stock up on printer cartridges and paper so you don't run out in the middle of an important project. Hang a wall calendar and start using it. There are so many small things you can do to get organized and increase your productivity! 3. Write an article. Experiencing freelancer frustration with nowhere to vent? Had a recent eye-opener while doing work for a client? Being an independent contractor means something new every day. Whether it's a challenge, a victory or a pitfall, everything you come away with is a valuable lesson to be learned. Why not share your knowledge with the world? There are thousands of websites looking for content. Many give you a byline, and some will even pay you! What a great way to make the most of your experiences... and get your name out there in print. 4. Do some research. Ever have a conversation with a colleague, and "not really know what they're talking about?" Say they mention 'viral marketing'- well, you've heard the term, sure, but what does it mean, really? "AdSense articles... what is that?" you wonder. Down time is the perfect time to get informed and updated! Do a Google search on all those mysterious buzzwords you've been hearing. Go through your old emails and catch up on reading. Surf around; bookmark some good sites. You'll be pleasantly surprised at what you learn in just a few hours! 5. Join a Network. Web networking's the way to go... use your "free day" to make some new contacts and maybe even a few friends. Participate in a forum discussion where you can share your knowledge as well as learn from others! If you're already part of a network, take this time to reconnect with people who might become future clients or business associates. When you least expect it, they'll come out of hiding with an exciting work proposition... maybe even on your next "slow day!" 6. Update your website. There is nothing more unprofessional than a website that's only half-built, or not up-to-date. Still have Christmas imagery bedecking your homepage in March? Get rid of it! Thought about raising your hourly rate but never got around to doing it? Now's the time! Whether it's adding portfolio samples, improving the general design, adding legalese or putting together a Testimonials page from satisfied clients, chances are there's something that can be done to improve your website and increase your credibility! 7. Buy a present for your business. Got a stash of cash in your PayPal account? Invest a little of it in the future of your business. Join a freelance website with a good reputation. Take a 2-day course in something you've always wanted to know more about. Gifts that will broaden your professional horizons and ultimately increase sales are money well spent! 8. Learn how to become a Website Affiliate. Build business relationships, get exposure, share information and get paid for it! Affiliate Programs are usually free to join, and with a few clicks of the mouse, you can supplement your income simply by driving traffic to other people's websites. How's that for easy cash? 9. Create a Company Newsletter. If you don't already have one, downtime is your chance to build a contact list and put together a company newsletter. With a little investigation you'll discover that many websites offer free trial periods where you can learn to use their contact base and newsletter-template software. And there are tons of sites on the web that offer free articles that you can print in your publication. Maybe you can even make use of those articles you wrote the last time nothing was going on! Now, what are you waiting for? You've only got half-a-slow-day left to get going on these projects. Happy Freelancing! Copyright 2005 Dina Giolitto. Use with permission. Dina Giolitto is a New-Jersey based Copywriting Consultant with nine years' industry experience. Her current focus is web content and web marketing for a multitude of products and services although the bulk of her experience lies in retail for big-name companies like Toys"R"Us. Visit http://www.wordfeeder.com for rates and samples.
MORE RESOURCES: Time Management Workshop with Popcorn St. Petersburg College The Pomodoro Method and Other Time Management Techniques to ... Workest by Zenefits Time Management Workshop St. Petersburg College How to set productivity goals for 2023 | Money | crossroadstoday.com Crossroads Today 8 Time Management Tips When Working in Different Time Zones MUO - MakeUseOf Time blocking to achieve work-life balance Employee Benefit News Time management Early County News Project management strategies everyone can use to boost productivity kuna noticias y kuna radio Blessed Assurance: Time management | Religion ... The Central Virginian A Kickstarter employee chronicles her four-day workweek Employee Benefit News Administration Expected to Endorse Limited Drilling in Alaska Project The New York Times Science Simplified 02/01/23 Xavier Newswire Lawrese Brown '10 establishes consultancy to help business ... Gettysburg College An Antidote to Optionality | Opinion Harvard Crimson Have you ever observed your mother's time management skills?: Modi on Pariksha Pe Charcha Business Insider India Saturday Dolphins Mailbag: What If, Time Management, and More Sports Illustrated Is It Time to Shake Up Your WFH Routine? HBR.org Daily Western Michigan University: Where dynamic business leaders are ... Study International News How Workday HCM benefits businesses CIOReview Analysis: SGA continues to struggle for involvement Xavier Newswire Director of Administration & Management Michael Donley Remarks ... Department of Defense Stick with your fitness goals this new year The Hofstra Chronicle The Payton experience heads to Denver – Crescent City Sports crescentcitysports.com Publicity Coordinator Pedestrian TV Eye of the Tiger | Persona 4 holds up to high standards Eye of the Tiger Dissension within previous WWE management led to 2-time United States Champion's release Sportskeeda From Olympic Competitor to Nursing Student | New York School of ... Touro University HEALTH SERVICES MANAGEMENT | News Services | ECU ECU News Services How to set productivity goals for 2023 | | victoriaadvocate.com Victoria Advocate Wellness Wednesday: Preventing burnout | Opinion ... N.C. State University Technician Online Seven Must-Have Subscription Management Capabilities in a First ... Subscription Insider Mineral County holds 4-H beef weigh-In | Valley Press/Mineral ... Clark Fork Valley Press The best science-backed self-help books that will improve your life ... - BBC Science Focus Magazine The best science-backed self-help books that will improve your life ... BBC Science Focus Magazine Next Women in Business luncheon to feature bestselling author on ... williamsonherald.com Reliable Real-Time Information on Board Rail Vehicles railway-news.com Calendar Troy Record Digital evaluation: Lack of time & training worries management, lecturers in Telangana Times of India How to set productivity goals for 2023 Warwick Beacon Clinical Research Fellow job with KINGS COLLEGE LONDON ... Times Higher Education 6 Tips for Better Time Management ReadWrite Management Accountant – Fiery Angel Ltd. IQ Magazine How to Maximize Your Marketing Budget in 2023 Entrepreneur Effective Time Management for Leaders ReadWrite Eat The Frog: A Useful Technique for Increasing Your Productivity Exploring your Mind Time Management Tips for College-Bound High School Students U.S. News & World Report DNI Installs Canon varioPRINT iX3200 Inkjet Press Printing Impressions |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
RELATED ARTICLES
How You Can Double, Triple, or Even Quadruple Your Reading Speed! Are you drowning in a sea of unread papers? Do you feel frustrated because you cannot keep up with your reading assignments? You may have wondered if you should take a speed-reading course. Or can you learn to improve your reading ability by yourself?The good news is that if you are committed and actually do the work, you can develop your own speed-reading program at home. Put Yourself First Are you too busy to put yourself first? If a plane losesoxygen pressure for any reason, oxygen masks will drop downfrom a small overhead compartment. If the oxygen masks comedown in a plane and you have children, you are alwaysadvised to put yours on first before helping your children. Schedule Time for Interruption One of the most challenging situations people face when planning their day is how to stick to their schedule when they are constantly being interrupted. Just when your activities are organized, someone else's emergency seems to get in the way. Quantum-less Time and Mathemathically Deprived Theory What would you say to me if I told you that you don't have to be at work by 8 am, but rather that you have to be at work tomorrow?What if I told you that your alarm clock is going to be reconfigured to only display days, and not specific times?Would you sleep better?Or what if your clock card was to have days, not digits, on its' face? Would your concept of time be altered?If your meetings schedules were week specific, how would you feel?Would you abandon the man-made minute, if you could?You probably would, and with little reluctance and regret.The remaining seasons and their finite hours would still supply the exact same amount of time, but any approach to it would change. Beyond Time Management - Seven Ways to Leverage Your Time for Greater Results Most of us have a to-do list - some of us have a very long one! While a to-do list is a valuable tool to help us stay on track for the urgent tasks of the day (and while there are many ways to improve your production and use of this list), that isn't the focus of this article.This article isn't about managing your time. How To Better Handle Your Mail Letters, magazines, bills, flyers, what to do with them all. There should be only two responses to every piece of mail or e-mail, do something with it, or toss it! The best way, as always, to deal with it all is in an organized fashion. Time Mastery vs. Time Management - Knowing the Difference How much time do you spend on Mastering Your Time? I don't mean managing time. There is quite a difference between managing and mastering your use of time. Your Most Important Appointment An appointment is simply a mutual agreement to meet with someone at a specific time.You set appointments with doctors, dentists, lawyers, accountants, contractors and hair stylists, just to name a few. Time Management - How To Get More Done In A Day? Everyday, in life, we are bombarded with 101 tasks that are waiting for us to resolve it. This is especially true when we are involved in internet marketing where we had to check emails, respond to customer queries, set up product page. Decrease Your Sleep, Increase Your Energy! And Have More Time In Your Day! Many of the world's most driven and successful people sleep only 4 to 5 hours per day. Do you really need to sleep 8 or more hours? No, you don't. Take Back Your Time "You will never find time for anything. You must make it. The Power of 90 Seconds You can use the Power of 90 Seconds to transform your life. This power will allow you to:=> Prevent countless problems. Time Management Lessons from a 3 Year Old Zak is my three-year old godson. He is the apple of my eye along with his sisters Carley and Brenna. Perfekt! Are you obsessed with getting everything just right? Do you do everything yourself because no one else can do it as well as you can? Do you believe that everything you do has to be absolutely perfect? Although striving for excellence is a good thing to do, demanding perfection in everything you do is not.Often, perfectionism is a way to delay taking action. How A Simple Four-Letter List Can Make or Break Your Business One of the biggest problems most people have when it comes to moving their business ahead is simply staying focused and taking the actions that will truly make a difference.It's not necessarily because we don't know what to do, it's often more a matter of getting distracted or letting little actions that seem important but don't bring in results consume too much time. Simple Strategies for Home Based Business Owners to Reduce Stress and be More Satisfied Handle small emergencies fast: When a small emergency does pop up being prepared with a home medicine kit will come in handy. Make sure to have one in your car and one in the home and look through them twice a year to make sure they are up to date and have been restocked. Have You Got a Minute? Such an innocuous little phrase, yet when you are hard at work, really focused and engrossed in what you are doing this seemingly harmless request can be a nightmare distraction."The average American has 50 interruptions a day, of which 70% have nothing to do with work" W. Effective Time Management Techniques TIME MANAGEMENTWith the creation of the universe, God gave humankind a miraculous gift. A wonderful gift which cannot be seen or touched but without which there will be no meaning in life. How Do You Start Your Day "Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces up, snow is exhilarating; there is no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather." --John RuskinAs I mentioned in the introduction (which you should read if you haven't already) lasting change is only realized when we work on both how we think and how we act. Living on Purpose: Achieving Balance Between Work And the Rest of Your Life Many of us get so caught up in day-to-day pressures that we often find ourselves reacting to external demands rather than designing lives that really fulfill us. While in today's economic environment we face many stresses in our jobs, it is still possible to create balance between our work and personal lives. ![]() |
home | site map |
© 2006 |