I believe that goals are vital to success in business because they keep us focused on keeping the important things, important. When we focus on the important things, managing time becomes easier. One way to stay focused and manage time, is to “work backwards” toward a specific goal.
When you write a goal, it has a beginning date and ending date. A goal is also specific enough so you can work on it effectively – step-by-step. Here’s an example: Let’s say you are in network marketing/direct sales and your financial goal beginning November 1st is to sell $1500 or more in product each month for the next six months.
Looking at the above goal we see it has a beginning date, an ending date and is specific to the amount of product you want to sell. This is where working backwards will help you plan out your time so you can stay focused on keeping the important things, important. Achieving a goal takes planning and focus and that means managing time effectively.
Step #1 - Let’s begin managing time wisely by working backwards. If you do the math and assume every month has four weeks, you realize that in order to reach the $1,500 per month goal you’ll have to sell $375 a week in products. Here’s where planning out time becomes important. Now you’ll begin planning how to achieve the $375 a week goal with the amount of hours you’ve allocated for doing business. Do you plan to commit 5, 10, 20, or maybe 40 hours a week to your goal?
Step #2 – Knowing your business, what do you believe are the best methods for retailing $375 or more in products each week? Is it cold or warm calling, the Internet and social media, networking events, parties or in-home demonstrations? List all the methods you can use to retail your product.
Step #3 - My next suggestion is to take a calendar – either an online one like Outlook or an old fashion paper one – and chunk out blocks of time to work on your business. You’ll need time to make calls, order supplies, get everything organized, travel time, follow up time, etc. How many hours per week will you need to sell $375 in products? Are you willing to commit that amount of time each week to your business?
Step #4 – Write out a daily to-do list either the night before or first thing in the morning with the specifics of what you intend to accomplish for the day. Prioritize your day-to-day activities so that you are working on the most important sales producing activities first. Time management is about taking one bite-sized positive step at a time toward achieving your goal.
Step #5 – Enjoy the satisfaction of achieving your goal!
Can you see how “working backwards” will help manage time more effectively?
Give this time management method a try and let us know on the forum how well it works for you – here is a direct link to our Business Coach forum.
Direct link to the Business Coach Forum
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Sharon Recommends
Here is an offsite link to Amazon.com - I'd like to recommend one of my favorite "time management" books “Eat That Frog!” by Brian Tracy – it's short, sweet, to the point and filled with practical suggestions: Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time
I'd also like to recommend my Kindle ebook How To Keep Yourself and Your Business On Track. The empowered woman's guide to staying focused on your money making goals. Here's a direct link: How To Keep Yourself and Your Business On Track (Women Empowering Women)
I've purchased this book for myself and my opinions are solely mine. I am also an affiliate of Amazon.com and if you purchase this book through this link, I will earn a commission.
