Savor the Success - Business Network for women entrepreneurs

I had this blog written and posted, and then, coincidentally, I had a coaching session today that led me to the topic of time management in which my coach gave me some tips on how to be that much more productive. (Yes, I am sitting in my office with a candle burning, very unlike me, but why not! It's relaxing and smells good!) So, I am back adding the tips to the list. As I said, who can not benefit from time management tips?! Please add to the list.

I don’t know about you, but car and computer problems are my least favorite to deal with. I “can’t” seem to live without my computer or car, so when they fail me in some way (i.e. I can’t work because my computer decides to have a mind of its own or I can’t drive my kids to school), I feel the immediate impact. 

 Here are some time management tips that keep me moving forward and more at peace:   

• Back up your computer files on a regular basis (one resource that does it remotely, inexpensively, and automatically is http://mozy.com/)
• Take your car in regularly to get an oil change and rotate your tires (no one wants to be stuck on the side of the road)
• Purchase biz supplies before you run out of them (i.e. a replacement ink toner so that when you are printing out the presentation you are supposed to give in one hour you don’t run out of ink and don’t need to make an extra trip to the store)
• Create a solid grocery shopping list before you go to the store (so you don’t have to run to the store two extra times during the week because you forgot something the first time you went)
• Pack errands together (if you are driving downtown, lump all your downtown errands together)
• Create to do lists to keep you on task and planning ahead 
• Look forward in your calendar and see whose birthday/anniversary is coming up. If you need to purchase multiple presents, sit down at your computer and shop at one time – from your fellow female entrepreneurs, of course (you may save $, too, on shipping because you’re not having to overnight things)
• When making dinner, make extra for leftovers
• Exercise with friends or your spouse so you bond/get caught up and work-out at the same time
• When traveling, print out your flight itinerary, hotel reservations, shuttle service info, etc. so you have everything together in one place
• Pay all your personal bills online and in one sitting and/or arrange for auto pay (where your credit card is charged or bank account auto deducted) 
• Take some time to reflect. Are you feeling anxious about something? What can you do to change your feeling into something positive and productive? Can you change your environment? Add a candle to your office, put on some peaceful music, open the blinds more to get add natural light, take your laptop to a coffee house, walk outside for a few minutes and get some fresh air. Sometimes just stepping away and taking a moment can help.
• De-clutter. Clear off your desk and put everything else on the floor except for the project at hand so that you can focus. While we women are great multi-takers, it has been shown that when we are multi-tasking, we can lose up to 25% productivity.
• Turn off the email for a period of time and get to it later so that you can focus on the project ad hand.

 Can you share a time saving tip? We could all benefit from some new ones!

P.S. One of my goals for Psi Bands in 2009 is to land another large retail account (5,000+ stores).