Multi-tasking Doesn't Work

We live in a society where it's a badge of honor to say that you can do 3 things at once.  We put "Ability to multi-task" on our resumes. It sounds good - it must mean that you are super productive and efficient right? Ever done any of these: typing an email or IM while on the phone, having ten different browser windows open and bouncing between them, checking emails while posting on Facebook and checking your bank balance. How about checking your phone or surfing the internet while watching a TV show, only to realize halfway into the show, you had no idea what was going on? Ever check your phone or email during a meal with your family - there's no direct affect on productivity but it certainly isn't strengthening your relationships or making your family feel like a priority. Anything you can relate to? 

What I've learned is that all of this is actually making everything you do suffer - in quality, in the amount of time it takes, and it actually makes you feel more frantic. Do a gut check - it's true right? Do you feel like you get so much done because you multi-task? Your To Do List is totally crossed off every day? I'm guessing no.

I was at a seminar recently where the guest said that every time you get interrupted during something, it takes you 16 minutes to get back to the level of focus you had before the interruption.  Multi-tasking is YOU creating your own interruptions! Why would you want to do that?

If you take the time to focus on one thing at a time, you will not only doing a better job at it, you will get it done faster and your mind can mentally close the door on that task.

Tips:

• Find a quiet place where you won't be interrupted. If you can shut or lock the door, do.
• Turn off your phone or leave it in the other room.
• Keep only the window open that you are working on, on your computer.
• Focus on one screen at a time. (I believe in limiting it to things that really serve a purpose but that's a whole other blog post!)
• Leave your phone at home or in the car when having a meal with friends or family.

Setting Business Hours

Whether or not you are working on your business along side a full time job, or it is your full time/only job, you need to set business hours. One of the dangers of having your own home-based business is that you can get sucked in to working 24 hours a day. Because most of the work can be done online or from your phone, it's always within arms reach.  But that's dangerous for many reasons.

1. It tells your customers you are always available to them and they will continue to expect an immediate response.
2. There is no work/life balance. The whole reason you started your business was for some freedom right?
3. It's harder to be present with your family and friends. It's very distracting to be "on" all the time. You need to learn to turn it off.
4. You will get more done if you have set time to work on your business and be productive. The busier I am, the more focused I am during business hours.

HOW TO DO IT

Working a Full Time Job:

• Get up 30 minutes early to get a few things done before going to work
• Use your commute time to work for personal development or conference calls
• Lunch Hour - use your lunch hour as your "Power Hour" (I will do a post about that later this week) and get as much work done at one time
• TV time in the evenings - go through your DVR and remove all of the shows you don't even really like. Use that time to work on your business.

Working Your Business Full Time:

• Decide what hours of the day you will work - for me that's while my kids are at school
• Don't work outside those hours
• Communicate those hours to your colleagues and customers and team members

In both scenarios, be sure to communicate to people when are you available for phone calls, and don't be a slave to emails or FB messages. Tell people I only check messages/emails once a day at this time of day so if you need something urgently, don't email it to me.  The people who are important to you should have your phone number or a way to reach you if it's urgent.

Every day a Vacation??

We just got back from a week vacation in Hawaii.  I checked in on my business a couple times a day, probably for a total of one hour per day.  I also posted a lot of what we were doing on social media (which is part of being authentically you which draws people like you to you and your business).  I got a lot of comments like "why are you checking emails on vacation?" or "Don't work, you are on vacation"  And my response to them was, not only do I love what I do, and it doesn't really feel like work, but working just an hour a day while on vacation allows me to take more vacations, and be home with my kids, and be my own boss. I didn't have to do any of that - I have no one telling me what to do or expecting anything from me. So I worked when I wanted to, when I could, without taking time away from my family.  (and when we had free WiFi - ha ha)

It's part of my whole philosophy (which many share) of designing your own life. I love that I can work from anywhere, on my smart phone. I love that while on vacation I got a great paycheck even though I did the "minimum" work required.  I have another trip planned next week for a seminar I have been really excited about, and I plan to work some on breaks, because it's exciting and my business is growing, and like any momentum, you don't want to stop it while going. But it's not because I have to, and it's not a burden. If you want to be successful, you make the time, and you want to do the things that will make you successful.

So while many people take a vacation to escape from their lives, ours was to create memories and enjoy our lives!!

The Importance of a To Do List

One of the most important things you can do to be successful in any area it so keep a To Do List.  I've learned so much of what I use from Chalene Johnson (highly recommend her free 30 day goal setting & organization challenge at www.30daypush.com) 
Why do you need a To Do List? Life is busy, things go fast, without the "map" of where you are going, how do you know that you are doing the right things to get to your goals?
The most productive and successful people are organized and stay on track with a To Do List.  
Here is a summary of key things that you need to do with your To Do List.

1. Create a master brainstorm list or brain dump of everything you currently need to do - for personal and professional.  Get in the habit of separating your To Do's into categories of what must be done today, what must be done this week, what must be done this month, and longer term goals like quarterly or yearly.
2. Put all of your current To Do's into your phone.  You need to keep your To Do List with you at all times - easiest to do if you keep it on your SmartPhone. Either with a to do list app like AwesomeNote or even just using the Notes app. This makes it easy for you to add something when it comes up or when a memory of something you need to do hits you.
3. Spend 10 minutes each night before bed or when you wake looking over your daily To Do List. Make sure it represents everything that MUST get done that day.
4. Create your to do list in the same place and time every day so it becomes a habit.
5. Add 3 things to your list to get you closer to whatever your big goal is.  So it shouldn't just be your regular every day to do's, but what's the one big thing you are working towards? Make sure these 3 things are bite sized things you can do in a short amount of time. This requires breaking down your big goal into small steps.

How to Use Social Media to Become a Six Figure Mama

We live in an amazing day and age where anyone can earn six figures or more by using the internet. Never before was it possible to reach thousands of people who want exactly what you are offering without leaving your house. 

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest aren't just time suckers, I use each of these to build my business and meet new people. There is a ton of great advice on how to build your business on each of these platforms just a GOOGLE away! (and if you join a network marketing company, your team may already have free trainings on this - my team does - so ask before you commit)

I love social media because I'm not a face to face person.  It's not that I'm shy, I just have a hard time opening up until I really know someone.  It's also frankly easier to take a "No" online than in person, so in the beginning when you are building your business and it's harder to accept that rejection, you don't take it so bad. **Note that everyone gets rejected every day in life. It's no big deal!

So if one of your big excuses is "I don't know very many people" or "I don't want to just hit up my friends and family about this business/product" (by the way, you shouldn't "hit up" anyone - this is sharing the product and the opportunity and seeing if it's right for people not icky sales) then guess what YOU DON'T HAVE THAT EXCUSE ANYMORE.  90% of my current customers and the coaches on my team are people I didn't know before I started my business 3 years ago.  Most of them I met online! And they have become great friends and partners.

Here are some QUICK TIPS:

#1 rule in social media - keep your profiles PUBLIC so people can find you.

Facebook - be yourself, don't post links to your timeline, re-engage with friends from your friends list each day and ask them about their lives, NOT your business. Keep business related posts to 1 of every 5 posts.

Instagram - connect with people who like your photos, go to their profiles, like 3-5 photos and comment on a few that you find interesting. Ask questions. Start a dialogue.  Ask them if they want to connect on FB after several exchanges. Do not go around and post on every photo related to your business "hey want to connect on FB" or "here's my website".

Pinterest - always include a link to your blog or website in the description of your pins. You want to drive traffic to your website or offer page.

Twitter - use twitter search to find topics that relate to your business and respond to tweets and ask questions.  Give information and offer value - don't sell.

Taking Risks....to reap rewards

The reason it took me so long to start my own business was partly because I hadn't found the right opportunity yet, but mostly because I was scared to take risks. I wanted the consistent paycheck. I needed to know that each week my paycheck would be X dollars no matter what. What I didn't realize was that this meant that someone else was always going to be the one to tell me what I was worth. That meant someone else was always going to dictate my schedule and when I could take a vacation or leave early to do something with my kids.  That also meant I would always be working 40+ hours a week.  But I've always known that the 40 hour work week was kind of arbitrary because different people get a different amount of work done in 40 hours.  I have always been really efficient with my time, and what that meant was I ended up getting more work because I could complete it so fast. (most times without the additional benefit of pay or promotion)

So what changed for me? Having children was the catalyst. Multiple layoffs at work didn't help because I saw we were all expendable. Yours might be that your not making what you are worth, you don't like your boss, you have a long commute, you need the flexibility to be at home with your children or aging parents, you need to be able to move locations and take your job with you because your spouse travels or moves for work. You don't even have to have a reason other than you are smart and savvy and realize you deserve to design your own life and be your own boss and determine your own salary.

But you have to realize that yes you are risking FAILURE. And that's ok.  Failure is how we learn and grow.  Nothing happens miraculously overnight with no struggle. So you have to really want the end goal and work towards that despite the challenges.  Push past the "no's" that you will get and don't care what others think. People who doubt you do so because they don't have the confidence in themselves. Do not let them dull your sparkle!!

My biggest piece of advice is to start looking for an opportunity NOW if you feel like this is something you want to do 2-5 years in the future. Businesses take time to grow.  Network marketing business can grow much faster than traditional businesses, but if you are still working full time, allow enough time to grow your business on the side.  But you have to take the leap at some point, so do your research and decide.

P.S. I believe that I've found the best network marketing company out there - the mission is important, the company treats us amazing, and you are helping people. I would love to have you join my team today and start living the live you want to live. To learn more click HERE.