Everyone needs to manage time more effectively, but if you are just starting a part-time business while working a full time job, time management is critical to your success. This article explores5 ways I’ve discovered that work for me to free up time to pursue my entrepreneurial dreams.
Each weekday you get up in the morning, shower, grab some coffee and head out to work where you toil from eight to five o’clock, with a 1-hour lunch break, five days a week.
You drive home; catch the news, help the kids with homework, eat dinner, get the kids to bed and then hop on the internet to learn about; building a WordPress website, email marketing, affiliate marketing, blogging, social media and the list goes on.
Finally, at 1:00 AM, you’re exhausted and you stumble into bed where your spouse gives you “the look” and you feel guilty for not spending enough time with the her and the kids, let alone watch the game.
Let’s face it, starting a part-time business is hard work, and doing it while working a full-time job makes it seem almost impossible. Believe me I’ve been there, and I usually do things the hard way, until I got frustrated and discovered a better way.
Do not despair; I have discovered some very effective ways you can reclaim 10-20 hours of productive time per week; if you are willing to restructure day and make a commitment to changing your unproductive ways.
5 Ways to Carve Out 15-20 Hours per Week
- Get fit. First off, you are going to need a lot more energy to pull this off so you are going to have to start exercising and eating right, drink plenty of fluids and get more sleep. Yes, it sounds like hard work. Besides, you have been telling yourself for years to get in shape, now is the time to do it, suck it up!
- Eliminate distractions and unplug from the digital world. That’s right, no TV or at least limit to one program or game a week! Every activity you do should bring you closer to your goals. Disconnect from all digital devices and media especially while you are working on your business.
- Program your mind for success by listening to personal development material. If you want to be an entrepreneur, you have to start thinking like one. I listen to audio recordings on goal setting, time management, personal development, and other business topics to develop my skills.
- Create activity time zones. Earmark 15, 30, 60-minute blocks for specific activities. Use an alarm clock or, better yet, set multiple timers in your Smartphone and label them for each activity. I like to exercise first thing in the morning. It energizes me and gives me energy and helps me concentrate.
- Find your why. Get very clear on why you are creating a part-time business in the first place. Do you need financial freedom? Do you want to spend more time with the kids? Do you want to donate more time to charity? Do you want to live longer so you are around for your grandchildren, leave a legacy?
My own purpose is to live a healthy lifestyle, so I can help my sons become the best men they can possibly be. I want the freedom to travel, play music, be a great dad, and help other people improve their personal and business performance.
Does that seem like a daunting list? Trust me; it is very doable if you schedule your time wisely. Here is an easy to follow schedule that I use to get super productive before anyone in my household is even awake!
Each weekday morning and Saturday, I get out of bed at 4:30 – 5:00am. Then I break down the time before I have to leave for work into six 15, 30 and 60 minute areas of focus including; walking, eating breakfast for energy, goal setting, focus on one major task per day then prepare lunch and get ready for work. Then during my commute, I listen to a business or personal development material.
This schedule is the very one I used to publish 244 issues of our weekly marketing, mindset and implementation tips ezine, drop 45 pounds, read countless books, plan 2 annual events, run a mastermind and group coaching program, and manage my elderly mother’s finances and business affairs, all while working a full time job!
So if you are at your wits end trying to start a part-time business while working a full-time job there is hope, you just have to be willing to restructure you day and sacrifice some of your down time for the greater good you found in your purpose in life.
