Turn time into money.

The most difficult obstacle that most self-employed members of society face is proper time management. When you’re working for yourself, you don’t have anyone looking over your shoulder constantly making sure that you’re getting things done. You don’t always have to commute to work every morning and sit in an office for a set amount of hours each day. In fact, you don’t even have someone prioritizing your tasks so that you know what you need to be doing.

All of this is in your hands. Some of us may attempt to replicate the normal work day, but this takes a lot of self-discipline. Most of us struggle to create a structure that allows us to keep from being distracted even though we’re often working at home (the ultimate den of distraction in my case). We know deep down that proper use of our time is important, but we aren’t fully equipped to maximize the minutes that seem to slip by us.

I’ve found that the longer I work from home, the more I rely on a strict schedule to keep myself in line. It’s all too easy to use my computer to waste time feeling busy instead of getting truly valuable work done. I’ll do more research than necessary on a subject simply because it’s easier to read than it is to venture into the task of creating something.

Have you ever noticed that when you get truly important work done that contributes to your life coach business you feel more focused and accomplished? Have you ever noticed that when you’re doing other tasks that only seem important, time slows down and you feel as if you’re wading through mud? That’s because you are.

Streamline Your Time Management

•  Focus on one project at a time. This seems obvious, but many people find it extremely difficult. Being your own boss means that you have a lot to do, and trying to do all of them at once means you’re likely to finish none of them. List these projects and mark which ones take priority due to time (deadlines) and which ones directly contribute to your life coach business. Where the two intersect are likely the most important projects. Take them one at a time, even if you set aside three hours for one action and the next three hours for another.
• “Bundle” Your Tasks.  If you are really keen on becoming more productive, try this:  “bundle” your tasks together during the time of day when you feel most productive. For example, set aside 3-4 hours first thing in the morning and devote this time ONLY to a few given related tasks, like writing that article, working on your book, and outlining a presentation.  No emails.  No phone calls, and no disturbances from other members of the household.  Also set a TIMER to complete each task.  That’s right a timer.  When the timer goes off, STOP.  Then go on to the next task.  While this may seem counter-intuitive, it really works if you use this method regularly.
•  Structure your day. Determine a set amount of time you will devote to your coaching business each day. To build up a good, strong habit, make it the same hours each day. Work on each of your projects, one at a time, until your allotted work time is over (timer is always good to use … except when you’re with clients!). Then, be sure to take notes on what still needs to be done and any inspiration or information you’ll want to remember the next day. This makes it easier to get oriented the next time you sit down to work.
•  Ask yourself: What have I done for my life coach business today? If the answer is nothing, then you need to take a look at your priorities! When the answer is positive, congratulate yourself on work well done. Acknowledging your completed goals is just as important as completing them. Resist the urge to dwell on what you haven’t done or still have to do – just stick to your schedule and knock down each project one by one.

By remaining focused on tasks that benefit your life coach business and dedicating a certain amount of time to them each day, you can vastly improve your productivity and overall success. As the wise ones say, “Work smart, not hard.”

Take a look at Dr. Craig’s FREE report for more tips to advance your coaching business. Trust me, it’s worth your time.

How do you manage your time as a life coach, and what advice do you give to clients about time management? Let me know in the comments below!