Seminars are advertised in your local business newspaper at times or check in your Yellow Pages for a listing of training organizations which might be able to help you. As friends and colleagues for references. Do some research, after all this is your business.

You can also purchase cassettes, audio or video, on the subject. Most public libraries also have cassettes on these topic. These are a good start but you will be missing the interaction and input of other participants and the instructor.

So, let’s review what we have done today!

In working through the maze we have:

• Identified trends and transitions of the new home based offices
• Learned skills of planning, prioritizing and  creating a focus in your life by handling interruptions and putting an end to procrastination
• Created action plans in the form of  “to do lists” and goal setting exercises
• Explored ways of monitoring and progress and staying focused by using tools and skills

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Planners are available in most department stores, business office supply stores, book stores and through catalogue sales. And as a tool they are very efficient.

When you are shopping for a planner do a little research and find the one that will best suit your needs. Planners come in all different shapes, sizes and colours and in varying degrees of complexity. They range from the simple monthly calendar, to the “complete and unabridged planning tool” that includes expense forms, mileage forms, project forms, address book and more.

As far as size is concerned, planners range from ones that fit into your pocket to ones that are briefcase size. Many people use their planners as their “office away from home”. For people whose homes are their offices, these tools can prove to be invaluable.

There are also computerized versions on the market for both Macintosh and PC. For those of you carrying laptops these might be the alternative you have been looking for. Pocket electronic calendars are also available.

Again, the key is determining what features you are looking for and what will help you become more productive.

Computer magazines often have a description and comparisons of the various time management software available. Your library or a computer store can be a great source of information and research before you buy.

A good way to discover what you want would be to mind map or brainstorm, as we did in the goal setting exercise. That way you will be sure you have not missed essential criteria or features required of your planning tool.

Training

As we’ve mentioned earlier, most planning tools are efficient. But as a business owner, you want more than just efficiency, you want effectiveness and productivity.

That is why training is so critical in Time Management. Learning how to use a tool, a planner, is a good start.

But as we have discussed earlier, to become more productive you need to focus on the main thing, in other words, what is most important to you. Training will give you that extra depth and breadth to become a productive, self-confident entrepreneur.

Courses that teach “effective time management skills” are available through public seminars in most major cities and these seminars are available to everyone. The training format varies widely. Again you need to find the one that is best for you.

These are some of the things you might want to find out before you take a seminar:

• Will they teach me how to use a planning tool, and what are they recommending?
• Will I learn a planning and prioritizing process?
• Will there be goal and objective setting exercises?
• Is the seminar generic or will they cover issues that concern me (voice those issues)?
• Will the seminar discuss workspace, interruptions, procrastination?
• Will the seminar cover personal and professional topics?
• How much will the seminar cost and its duration?
• How often is the seminar given (this might give you an idea on its popularity)?
• Ask for a reference
• If they have a computer version, will they teach me how to use it?

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The final section of the program aims to put all of the ideas together, and to help you learn how to practice those skills effectively. There are tools and learning experiences available that will help you turn theory into daily practice.

Every day, people are bombarded with information. Rather than keeping it on loose pieces of paper or in different locations, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have one place to record everything?

Planners are great tools for just that purpose. Here are some ideas of what you could keep in a planner:

• telephone or contact logs (great for people in Direct Marketing or sales)
• your “to do list”
• your goals and objectives (to help focus your day)
• your time linked activities (meetings, luncheons, breakfasts, appointments)
• a product or services list (services you use often for example)
• your product price list
• an address list
• a time log to help you keep track of where you are spending your time
• expense records at your finger tips to record all those business lunches.

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Can you imagine the power in avoiding going too far off course by simply focusing on those things necessary to your success in your business?

Everyday when you sit down to prepare your “to-do” list make sure you review goals, ask yourself if you have focused on things that are really important in your life, verify that you are on the right track and that today you are focusing on those things that are important to you.

IV. Reinforcing and Supporting Change

Life is made up of events, and the ability to control events appropriately will make a postive difference in our lives. We know how to focus on our goals, and the skills that will help us to accomplish them while we work at home. It is important that we keep in mind an issue that we discussed at the beginning of the unit: the issue of change.

Change is nothing but a series of events. Therefore, if you are controlling the events in your life, you will be able to control the changes in your life. And if you are in control, you feel better about yourself. And if you feel better about yourself, you are more productive.

Our mental attitude and the efforts we make to shape the course of our life will dramatically affect the decisions we make. It is important to recognize that our minds tend to seek goals, and much of our destiny lies within our control. Remember to examine changing events in terms of how much control you have, and make decisions that help you to achieve the goals you have planned. As Denis Waitly suggests, “We become what we think of ourselves.” As you create your daily plan, focus your mind on those things you really want.

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At this point I would encourage you not only to identify your goals but to determine the intermediate goals which you will need to help you reach them.

The process used here is a practical, non-technical approach designed to bring out the creative thinker in you. The process is often called brainstorming or mindmapping. Here is how you can do it.

Once you have identified a goal write it out on a flip chart or a large blank piece of paper. Using small “self adhesives notes” or any other type of stick notes, just let your mind flow freely and write whatever comes to mind regarding your goal. Don’t edit at this point. This process should be free flowing and full of idea. Plan sufficient time to allow the creativity to blossom. Once you’ve done this, group the notes in similar categories.

You will be amazed to find the details this method will reveal.

Next, start working on each category as a separate task. This process will also help you in controlling procrastination, as large projects are divided into manageable pieces.

When you do this exercise take the time to review both personal and professional goals. No one lives two separate lives; this is especially true when we work from home. Occasionally, we need to do a reality check to ensure our personal and professional lives are balanced.

Once we’ve created our goals, we need to keep an important idea in mind. It has been said, “That which is not measured cannot be improved”. To know whether we are successful or not we need to keep track or measure the outcomes.

The key to measuring success in living your plans or goals is to..

• Structure the day clearly recognizing that a plan needs to be flexible
• Makes the structure real and realistic
• Focus the plan
• Track and measure your daily performance, by reviewing your goals and objectives

A process of creating structure, determining focus, establishing flexibility, and measuring daily progress will assist you in:

• Knowing what is important
• Planning your day around your priorities
• Measuring your performance against these criteria
• Making necessary adjustments on an immediate basis

Can you imagine the power in avoiding going too far off course by simply focusing on those things necessary to your success in your business?

Every day when you sit down to prepare your “to-do” list make sure you review goals, ask your self if you have focused on things that are really important in your life, verify that you are on the right track and that today you are focusing on those things that are important to you.

Substantial Incomes

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Earlier in the program we learned the process of planning and prioritizing based on the fact that our lives are made up of events. In “Creating an Action Plan” we now develop the process of goal setting based on the premise that a goal is simply a planned for event.

Let’s use the story of “Alice in Wonderland” as an example. This came from the chapter when she meets the Cheshire Cat.

“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to walk from here? asked Alice. “That depends a good deal on where you want to get to” said the cat. “I don’t much care where” said Alice. “Then it doesn’t matter which way you walk” said the cat.

We often lead our lives and conduct our business this way. We are not sure where we are going or which road to take. You will remember, that we said earlier that people who are in control feel better about themselves. Knowing which path to follow also gives us that sense of control and therefore raises our self-esteem and sense of confidence.

Doesn’t it make sense therefore to plan where we are going. In other words to set goals and objectives for ourselves.

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Effective Managers delegate work. Although you work from your home, you are in fact managing your business. Delegation can help you be a more productive and help you stay focused on tasks that are priority to you.

The amount of work you delegate, and how you delegate it determines how effective you are.

Here is a simple process you can use for delegating which involves four phases:

• Analyze the task to determine what’s required for its successful completion
• Choose the person best suited to complete a particular task
• Have a “check point” meeting with the individual to ensure the task is on track
• Follow up by reviewing, checking and offering support if required

The keys for successful delegation are as follows:

• Explain the nature of the task and why it’s important as well as the expected results Check for understanding
• Set up progress for review evaluations if necessary and depending on the size of the task
• Summarize the task

Remember, when delegating a task, the important question often is “to whom will I delegate this task?” There are a number of options available today:

• A number of secretarial services are available of course, as well as other home based services who specialize in desk top publishing and word processing
• Courier Services are great when you need products delivered
• Hire an accountant or bookkeeper to keep your books or keep track of your expenses. An effective accountant or bookkeeper can save both time and money for you in the long run
• For duties around the house, such as lawn cutting or painting or snow removal have someone in the neighborhood do it for you. They will appreciate the money and it can allow you time to spend on activities that you enjoy more
• If one of your colleagues or friend has expertise in a certain area such as translating or graphics preparation perhaps you can delegate a task to them and return the favour later

There are just a few ideas to get you going. I’m sure you already have some of your own. Just keep in mind that some tasks are better done by others. You only have 24 hours in a day, you can’t do it all. So make the most of it and focus on what’s important to you.

We’ve now concluded the second part of the program “Critical Skills for Control”. We’ve learned some important ideas to help us work through the the maze of changing events, and we’ve covered some of the important skills that will assist us on our journey. The third section, which involves creating a personal action plan, will show how to put these skills into action.

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Undoubtedly the Fear of Failure covers many of the descriptions of things we procrastinate.

For example:

The reason someone postpones something that is too big is because of the fear of failure. We fear that we may not be able to accomplish the entire task. But we know that if we don’t accomplish a task which is important to us, we might lose confidence in ourselves. “Too hard” is another symptom of a root problem of the Fear of Failure. Again, focusing on our objectives and goals will help us fight our fear of failure. Perceptions that tasks are “boring, routine, no meaning” are all symptoms of the core problem of No Perceived Value. 

We simply do not understand what value there is in accomplishing the task we have set for ourselves. Often tasks are delayed simply because there is no attached value or reward.

Let me ask you a hypothetical question: If there was a car offered as a reward for completing a project you have been putting off, do you suppose that would make a difference in your perceived value for doing that project? Think about some of the things that really matter in your life? Consider what you value in your work and in your home? Can you see any way that working on these projects might help you become more like the person you hope to be?

“No defined goals”: Often confusion is the greatest form of procrastination in the world. If we have outlined a definite perceived goal, we are much better at concluding it.

Here are some tips to help control procrastination:

• Set a goal
• Use self discipline – just start
• Set a deadline
• Make a public commitment
• Make a game of it
• Do the unpleasant task first
• Give yourself incentives

Now that we’ve learned how to take control over some of the events in our life, we should also learn how to delegate some of those tasks. If we become good at delegating, we can then focus on the events that are really important in our daily plans.

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Think about the word “management”. Management is an issue of control, and good management concerns itself with appropriate amounts of control. If we want to “manage time”, what we really are hoping to do is to control the important events in out day appropriately.

What we are talking about is getting out of the reactive mode to the proactive one. Instead of reacting to the events which make up our life, let’s get into the driver’s seat, become more proactive, more self directed, even to the point where we are determining the sequence of events.

The fact is, we have all the time there is. No one has more time than anyone else. We are all given only twenty-four hours everyday. You can’t save it and you can’t get more of it. But you can control what you do with it.

How we control the events in out day has a profound effect upon us. In a study conducted in Canada at the University of Western Ontario, in London, in 1989, it was demonstrated that one of the key contributors to productivity at the individual level was measurable self control. The study showed that people who felt in control of their work accomplished more, and were more productive in their jobs.

Ken Blanchard, author of the “One Minute Manager” said: “people who feel good about themselves produce better results”. Mr. Blanchard goes on to explain that at the root of feeling better, or feeling good about ourselves, is the necessity of self control.

To summarize, if we are going to successfully “Work through the Maze” we need to remember that time, and any of the changes that happen over time are merely events. If we learn to control events appropriately, we can become more productive and keep our self-esteem at a high level.

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