Bill Gluth's Creative Business Strategy Blog

What's a Phone Book

Does anyone remember when we used to use phone books? I stepped outside this morning and found a phone book sitting in a yellow plastic bag in front of my door.

I immediately took it to the recycle bin. I didn't even consider keeping it on a shelf.

But then I wondered why. The first answer that came to mind was, "It's useless."

This is just one instance that brought me to that conclusion.

Yesterday I was watching the NFL Championships on TV. By the end of the AFC game I was craving a gyros sandwich.

No problem. I went on line, typed in Gyros sandwich and my zip code and POOF. Two close by contenders popped up.

I called one, found out how late they were open, jumped in my car and scored a sandwich to carry out.

I didn't even think to use a phone book and I'm in their target demographic age wise.

Dex, Yellow Book people, anyone else selling a print directory we are not listening any longer.

Does anyone out there ever use a printed phone book. If so, let me know. The comment line is now open ...

Everyone has the same challenge

I just completed a promo for my 90 Minute Time Manager Program. I asked the question, "What is your greatest challenge in controlling time?"

Interestingly enough, one answer was appropriate for everyone who responded. Here it is:

Priorities make time control work and they can only be set if we know two things.

1. Where we are going in life

2. Where we are today.

The 5-day e-course, How to Created a Roadmap for Your Life (free when you visit www.2managetime.com) will help you develop the 2-points I mentioned above.

From there, you have to realize that to reach your life goals you have to take action each day that gets you there one small step at a time.

Know What You Have to Accomplish Every Day

Have you ever said – “Boy, do I have a lot to do today. I’m SLAMMED.

Then you went on to connect to email and check it, react to events that pop up and by the end of the day say, “I just don’t have time to get everything done in just 24-hours.”

If that’s you, here’s the solution.

Before the day starts, sit down for 15-minutes with a pad of paper and your favorite pen.

Make a list of everything you have going on in your life. List it all, and don’t stop at just business tasks.

Pick the single most important thing you HAVE to do today on that list. Then estimate how long it will take you to do it. Schedule it into your time management program (Outlook, ACT! 90 Min Time Manager Online Planner, other program).

Then pick the second most important thing you have to do today. Estimate how long it will take you to do it. Schedule it into your time management program (Outlook, ACT! 90 Min Time Manager Online Planner, other program).

Move on to the third most important thing and repeat the process listed above.

Pretty soon you’re going to realize that you can only get 2, 3, 4 or 5 things done in a day, depending on the complexity of each project.

Don’t forget lunch. Even if you eat at your desk, you still need 15 to 30-minutes to get your food and bring it back. Schedule it in.

This exercise will also show you whether or not you have time to do non-essential tasks during the day.

If you do, by all means complete them. But do it ONLY after you have accomplished the most important things you have to do every day.

Remember too, if you are in small business, the most important thing you have to do each day is generate revenue.

Have your systems and processes developed and in place so that you can wiz through business building activities efficiently.

How Stay Focused Everyday

Time to Read: 90 Seconds

The mindset you want to embrace is to keep it simple. Don’t make planning your day complex.

First, figure out how many hours you want to work today.

Then, list everything you have going on in your life right now. Make sure you list everything, don’t leave anything out.

Prioritize the single most important thing you MUST get done today.

Evaluate how long it will take you to do it. Be sure to over estimate. It always takes longer than you think.

Then go to the second most important thing.

Evaluate how long it will take you to do it.

Then the third most important. Evaluate how long it will take you to do it.

Get the 2, 3 or 4 most important things done first, before doing non-essential tasks like checking email or making non-sales related telephone calls.

These things may seem like work, but unless you’re generating revenue from these activities, it is probably not your prime business mission each day.

Stay focused on each task. Don’t let anything else distract you as you accomplish your most important things one-by-one.

Do this exercise for just 3-days. At the end of 3-days see how you feel.

I’m betting you’ll feel light, focused, and more profitable.

On March 14th I am going to change the life of 100 small business owners in Phoenix AZ.

Take the first step now. Visit the Your Life into Focus website.

Follow Your Feelings for Greater Productivity

Time to Read: 90 Seconds

Have you ever had a time that you thought “I have a feeling that I should _____.”

Then you didn't follow that inspiration and the results were less than spectacular.

Instead of going against your feelings, follow them instead. “Go with the flow” so to speak.

1. When faced with a decision, start by understanding exactly what you are feeling. For best results, write your feelings down as they arise.

2. Consider the final result you are seeking from this decision. Think, “I am looking for ____ result from this decision.” Write down the result you’re after.

3. Follow the path that feels the best, even if your “rational” thoughts contradict it.

4. You’ll know you're on the right track because you will feel happy and stress free instead of having a pain in the pit of your stomach.

5. Write down the result you gained from following your heart. Doing this exercise repeatedly will help you learn to trust your inspirations instead of ignoring them.

You’ll be on your way to tapping into one of the most powerful forces available to you – your personal creativity and genius.

Start today. And email me your results at genius@developyourvision.com.

I’ll add your experience right here to the blog with a link to your web site. Fame and fortune await, so don’t delay!

Learn How to Procrastinate Properly

As the Worlds Best, Worst Procrastinator I think I know a thing or two about this subject.

Procrastination is something we all do at one time or the other. The best suggestion I can make is to schedule it!

Here’s how to procrastinate properly

1. Add 60 to 90 minutes of procrastination time to your schedule. It can be every day, a few times a week or as little as one time per month.

2. Schedule a specific time to accomplish this task. Lunch time can be good because you can combine tasks; lunch and procrastination time.

3. Schedule a beginning, middle and end to your procrastination.

4. Don’t plan what you'll do. Just free form it for the allotted time.

5. At the end, put whatever distractions you have out away and resume your schedule.

6. Repeat the next day, two days later or later in the month.

7. When you schedule your procrastination time, you can look forward to it, realize the break is coming and allow it to “be all right.”

Getting Focused REALLY Works

The first live session of our Pull Your Life into Focus Forum REALLY had an impact on Marc Burke of USB Financial Services.

Here's what Marc has to say

I would like to recommend the course even after just the first meeting. 

That day

1. I signed up for a pure fitness membership (I have been Procrastinating for 2 years). 
   
2. Also, made 15 calls to potential clients and scheduled 4 new meetings from those calls with people who are very interested in getting peace of mind with their financial situation.
   
3. Today I had a transfer of new business come through for another $385,000. 

Nice job Marc. When you stop setting goals and make decisions based on where you REALLY want to go in life you create the miraculous every time.

Find out more about Marc by visiting his web site at www.ubs.com/fa/marcburke

Do Your Goals Match Your ACTIONS

Time to Read: 90 Seconds

Every one of us has things we want to accomplish in our life. If you have followed the advice in Chapter 3 of 90 Minute Time Manager, you now have a roadmap to follow.

But what about the ACTIONS you take everyday? Do they support and draw you closer to your life goals, move you further away or keep you stuck where you are?

Do a quick analysis by answering these 5 questions.

1. What do you want from your personal life? Be specific and paint a mental picture.

2. What do you want from your professional life? Again, be specific on what you want.

3. What is the one thing you MUST accomplish in your life?

4. What are the 10 most important things you have to do to reach these goals? List them here. Only focus on achieving your personal and professional goals.

5. What small step(s) do you plan to take today to turn your goals into accomplishments? What about tomorrow?

Review these points each day. Make sure you are moving forward and not remaining stuck where you are or sliding steadily backward.

Join us on January 17th for the Pull Your Life into Focus Forum.

This 8-week program will feature sessions will be every other week, starting January 17th. The cost is minimal and you are guaranteed to be clearer and in control in just 8- weeks.

Visit www.yourlifeinfocus.com for further details or call me at 623-210-3203.

Catch Yourself Wasting Time

One of the best ways to stop wasting time on non-essential tasks is to “catch” your self doing it.

To be consistent at accomplishing this idea

1. Create a Roadmap for Your Life. Connect where you are to where you want to be in life. See 90 Minute Time Manager for the exact ACTION steps to accomplish this idea.

2. Create your day before it starts. Ask yourself, “What am I going to do today that moves me one step closer to my goal.” Remember, BIG things happen with consistent small steps.

3. Schedule each and every day. What do you have to do and when are you going to do it?

4. Use a journal or Observation Log to keep track of when you are on-track and when you are off-track. See Simpleology 101 for details.

5. Get help if you need it. To gain clarity and focus take the Simpleology 101 course with my compliments. Click here to enroll.

Take Time to Let EVERYONE Know You Appreciate Them.

Time to read this post -- 90 Seconds

The holidays are a great time to let people know you appreciate them.

1. Tell your clients how much you appreciate their business and look forward to continuing the relationship in the New Year.

2. Let vendors know what a great job they are doing for you. Thank them for being at their best when working with you.

3. Tell your employees and outside contractors how much you appreciate their hard work and diligence.

4. Thank anyone who gave you a great referral or provided outstanding service.

5. Most important, tell the people you love how thankful you are for them being in your life.

Heartfelt appreciation takes only a minute to give and makes both the giver and receiver feel great.

Make a promise to yourself to let those who support your aspirations and make your life more enjoyable know that you appreciate them and their contribution to your life.

Have a wonderful Holiday and celebrate your traditions with gusto.

From "It's About Time" the 90 Minute Time Manager time tip of the week.