As a child, I was often referred to as “The Prince of Procrastination”, and I was well into adulthood before I truly understood the importance of writing a schedule.  I relied on my “incredible” memory for dates, times, and places.  My memory faded with age.

Now, in order for me to accomplish everything that I must do in a given period of time, I must schedule each task or event.  I write down places, times, names, and numbers in my calendar/planner and I carry it with me constantly.  Writing out a plan of action for the day helps to reinforce my memory, but also provides backup should my memory fail me.

Most of us already have a routine.  If you need more time in your daily routine, take inventory of how your time is normally spent.  You can budget your time more effectively if you know what your “time vampires” are, and by planning your schedule you’ll learn how to avoid them.

Sam Bennett, Advanced Floor Care

Whether you have a product or a service, at the bare bones profit is generated from people who do business with you.  It’s the people who pay you, refer you and /or continue to do business with you that are your livelihood.

So the question becomes about accessing the people who produce sales for your business.  The word “sales” can bring butterflies to the stomach of some business owners including myself.  What I have come to realize is that we have all practiced sales at some point in our lives and probably continue to do so daily without even realizing.  With a dazzling smile and stellar character my husband sold me that he was the one for me.  In business, I daily practice the art of finding a need and authentically articulating how my team can fill that need or refer the needy to who can help.  A sale is people skills at its most basic.

Upon realizing people are paramount to sales, now what?  Planning is the other key in my book.  While networking events, social media and marketing strategies are critical in generating leads what happens next?  Questions to consider:

• Is your business visible in numerous ways to generate leads?
• Can you authentically articulate the value of your business to others?
• How does my business interactively engage the leads that are created?
• What systems or methods does my business use to follow-up with prospective leads long term?
• Is there a compelling program or reason in place for others to refer business to you?
• Do you have a program in place to appreciate clients that are loyal to your business?

Please feel free to share your sales funnel liberation techniques here. 

Melissa Silva, Alchemy Virtual Business Solutions

Respect the egg timer.  This is an idea I fought for a long time.  I believed in my heart of hearts that being able to move on the moment, adjust on a dime and fly by the seat of my pants was a plus.  That’s when I thought I was busy.  Now that I have four children and a blooming business – this is busy.

Respect the egg timer.  Just as in physical organization, when discussing time and schedules, there is a place for everything and everything has its place.  Paying attention to your schedule and where you spend your time will add time and sanity to your day.

But respecting the egg timer does more than just keep your day straight.  It is also the best defense against time suckers.  These are those chain emails we have to investigate, the latest entertainment gossip story we have to catch up on or the social media site that is becoming more social than media.

Try it for a week.  Track your time and how you spend it.  Look at what makes tasks last longer than they should.  Make it a point to begin and end on time.  Try it and watch your productivity increase.

April Goves, Real Estate

People without principles are like boats without rudders or cars without steering wheels – aimless in direction.  However, when your life is centered on principles, they become a compass, quickly pointing you in the right direction when a crisis arises.

People with principles are able to direct their thoughts and make purposeful decisions.  You can choose the principles you want to guide you by first identifying those values you hold dear.  First think of those roles that are important to you in your family life, community life, vocational life and religious/spiritual life.  Then think of the people, activities and qualities you value in each of those roles.  For each value, write a personal supporting principle.  When you have finished identifying the personal principles to guide your life, use them to measure each possible career and role choice.  When you have found a pursuit or profession that conforms to your basic principles, while allowing you to do what you do best and enjoy most, then you will have found your ideal calling.

Gini Nichols, Financial Advisor