3 HABITS FOR MORE SUCCESS WITH LESS STRESS

A few weeks ago I wrote about how we all the have the same 24 hours, yet some of us seem to use it better than others.  I talked about the importance of TAKING time for the important things in life.  For those of us starting a new business or even experienced entrepreneurs, we don't know how to begin doing that so here are the 3 habits I think are really important to be more successful - with far less stress!

PRIORITIZE.  This does not mean just prioritizing work projects and what's on your desk.  Prioritize your life!  Include time for the gym, family, Sunday dinner, church, vacation - whatever is also important outside of work.  Many of us (me included in the past) are  terrified to take our eyes off our businesses for fear we will lose money or clients and so your days become completely focused on work. Every other aspect of our life is an “Add-On.”  Work is first, and then we try, often unsuccessfully, to grab a few moments petting the dog or being a spouse, or taking a walk – and we think this is trying to be balanced!!  And, we tell ourselves we have to do it in order to make money.  Untrue!

Prioritizing means you have several aspects of your life, and when you work, you work a prescribed number of hours, and then YOU TAKE TIME for other parts of your life!  It’s crucial to your success to “Take” time for activities other than work. I know this is uncomfortable because this lack of balance is very common pattern with entrepreneurs, and it’s hard to give up.

But, here’s the kicker: if you have more balance, you will be far more efficient at work, the work you do will be higher quality, you will be much less exhausted, and your business will thrive. TAKE the time for the important things outside of work, and you will be surprised how positively it affects your bottom line.
                
DELEGATE. This is another giant topic.  You say you can't delegate because you can’t afford it, but generally it’s because you don’t want to let go of control.  Also, delegating does not necessarily mean adding a ton of staff.  I had a client who recently realized that hiring a maid for $50 a month to do her laundry and run some errands would dramatically impact the quality of her life.  Sometimes you can trade services. Do you think Oprah and Bill Gates do everything themselves?  Yes, it is a risk, but my experience is that every client who started seriously delegating saw their business skyrocket -  and had much less stress.  Start making notes where someone else could do the tasks you do or where you could expand your services using other professionals.

TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF.  Many entrepreneurs wouldn’t know what to do with themselves if they stopped working like maniacs.  It’s not unusual for entrepreneurs to lack the skills of ongoing physical fitness, personal growth, connection to family, contribution to the community, and a commitment to mental, emotional and spiritual wellness.  These are the skills I personally believe are crucial to real success in life. Taking care of yourself is a critical personal responsibility.  Eating properly, getting sleep and exercise, feeling good and having fun is an absolute necessity if you want to make money.

Of course there are more, but these 3 are pretty darned important. Got other thoughts? Be sure to post them (http://firedupforsuccess.blogspot.com) or e-mail me at mlm@firedupforsuccess.com.

Meanwhile, remember, you are not a victim of some mysterious time-robber.  Every minute of every day you make decisions as to what you are going to CHOOSE to do with your time, and what you TAKE your time for.

DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TIME? CHANGE WHAT YOU SAY... by Mary Lyn Miller

Have you ever heard this?

“I’d _______________(fill in the blank:  exercise more – (or exercise at all) – spend time with my family – take a class – pursue a passion – take a short vacation – join a club,) but  I don’t have the time!”   Aw, c'mon, have you ever said words like this?

These words imply that is that there is some invisible time bandit stealing time behind your back and you didn’t get your fair allotment of time today and there’s just nothing, absolutely nothing, you can do about it. 

I know it sounds funny, and I still struggle with time management from time to time, but I have learned that when you say the phrase, “I don’t have the time,” you are really saying:  “I am not taking the time.”

For instance, have you ever said anything like this? 
 “I’d like to spend more time with my friend, John, but I just don’t have the time.”  No, you do have the time; you’re not taking the time.  If you don’t make plans to be away from work to see John, if you don’t set up a date with him,  if you don't spend tine with him, you are choosing to do something else.

I can hear you explaining to me how your industry needs you to be super-dedicated; how it's the "accepted culture" of your workplace; how being an entrepreneur requires you to work more than normal people. There are always a million reasons not to live the life you were meant to live.

“Lack of time” doesn’t just happen to you.   You and I and Oprah and Donald Trump and Bill Gates all have the exact same 24 hours every day.  Even Barack Obama doesn’t get extra hours for being a president. Time is the great equalizer; we all get exactly the same number of hours.  But don't you ever wonder why some of these people seem to be doing so much more, achieving so much, yet having richer more balanced lives, and making way more money?

You are responsible for what you do with every minute of your time. 

The truth is that the more balanced you are, the more multi-dimensional your are, you will be far more efficient at work, the work you do will be higher quality, you will be much less exhausted, and your business and income will thrive.

It is up to you to TAKE the time for the important things outside of work, live a full life and allow yourself to be as successful as you can possibly be.

If you find yourself not having enough time to do the important things in life, remember how you manage your time and what you put into it is your responsibility.  This is the first step in starting to create a more passionate profitable business and life.

Want some more steps?  Watch for my next article.  
And let me know how this relates to YOUR life by commenting!