The Time Management Mistake MLM’ers Better Not Make
If you’re like 99.9% of home business owners then one of the first things you do, when you wake up in the morning, is check your e-mail.
Nothing “wrong” with that.
Only it’s a symptom of a much bigger problem. A problem that’s sucking-up every available second of your time in the information age. A problem you’ve probably noticed already.
But there is a cure. And no, I’m NOT talking about What’s Working Now, amazing as that product is, it’s only part of the solution.
You see, these days we’re coping with an insane amount of communication – I don’t have to tell you that. And, it’s only going to get worse.
I wish I could hold you, rock you back and forth, and tell you “everything is going to be okay.” But, I would be lying to you.
Because it’s not going to be “OKAY”.
It’s going to get EXPONENTIALLY worse EVERY SINGLE YEAR for the rest of your ENTIRE life.
You already know that millions of people “losing it”, suffering from chronic depression, nervous breakdowns, high blood pressure, and heart-attacks.
But here’s the worst part…
It’s going to be way worse for YOU specifically.
Why do I believe that?
It’s obvious really, the more successful you are at this biz – the less time you’ll have to cope with the flood of communication – and trust me, you’ll be getting a lot more of it.
You’ll be bombarded by ten or thirty times the amount of information you’re dealing with today – I know.
I say that because that’s what IS happening to me…
Yesterday, I read 140+ applications for a single part-time position. I answered at least 50+ comments(this blog, and BN). I wrote 25+ e-mails, a blog post, 2 broadcasts e-mails, and an article. Not to mention phone calls, and the various emergencies that pop-up every day. The “icing on the cake” is that I happened to be working at home yesterday - and a guy was changing my hot water tank behind me while this was going on.
Honestly, I didn’t get ONE THING on my checklist done.
You might be thinking, “Well, I bet you spent that time on Facebook Or Twitter!” But you would be dead wrong. Sure, I shared a few posts along the way. However, I spent less than 30 minutes on Social Media yesterday.
So this TOTALLY blows chunks…
But there is a solution…
The “magic pill”, the cure to every time management ill…
Here it is…
Reach behind your left earlobe and unplug the fiber-optic cable that’s connecting you to the Internet, cellphone towers, and Television. Trust me, it hurts like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. But it has to be done…
It’s the hardest thing you will ever have to do…
Now, get out your list (you have a list don’t you?) and work on one item on your list for exactly one hour.
You might have to take a break, because this isn’t normal “work” where you’re plugged into the net – this is real brain busting work.
The type of work that actually gets things done.
Too simple to believe? Not at all.
Honestly, this is THE #1 MOST DIFFICULT thing I have to do EVERY day.
It’s a DAILY battle to block of hours of time to get work done. It’s a battle to ignore so-called “emergencies” and work on making that cash register go “KA-CHING!”
Now, if you accept this “philosophy”, this “secret”, this “tip”; you’ll make a lot more money – period.
Ignore it, and “it” will be the biggest mistake you ever make.
The honest truth is hard to swallow.
If you’re with me then share this post on your favorite Social Media site like Twitter, Facebook, Or Better Networker today - but do it quickly!
If you’re not, then I hope you have a secret guardian angel somewhere…
Because life ain’t gonna slow down.
-Jason the “Better Networker”
-The Jason Better Blog
P.S. If you missed out on What’s Working Now then today is your last chance to take advantage of the 75% discount without monthly fees. Here’s the link.
Yeppers, I’m an affiliate, but I hope you already know that. I keep everything 100% above board here. 
66 Comments
Kerie Cooper on April 22nd, 2010
I have battled with this time management issue for some time and find it a daily struggle to accomplish my daily tasks on schedule – it’s like I get side-tracked by something on the internet that draws my attention away from the task at hand. Thank you for the tips here – I am making a concerted effort to reign in the focus to get more things on my list done everyday.
Thanks Jason,
Kerie
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April 22nd, 2010 at 10:21 am
It’s one of the 2-3 things every one of us needs to master.
Not easy though.
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Tracey Hausel on April 22nd, 2010
This is my biggest weakness. I use a timer and set it for 15 minutes at a time. 3 sets of work 1 set of rest (could be laundry, taking a walk, or whatever). I find I get more done that way.
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April 22nd, 2010 at 10:22 am
Tracey,
You would laugh at how many timers I have around here.
It’s amazing how fast you can get things done with a firm deadline ticking away.
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Josh Garcia on April 22nd, 2010
Hey Jason,
It sounds like you were really swamp. Did you even get to sleep?
You might have look for someone to help you out full-time…heck with part-time!
Well, I’ll tell you that with having access to internet every where you go. It can be a major distraction checking all of those emails or social sites and not get done what really matters.
I’ve lately have been implementing the list and it’s a challenge for me to stick to it. I know I’ll master it!
Chat with you later…
Josh
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April 22nd, 2010 at 10:24 am
Sleep is for wussies!
Actually, I did get to sleep. It’s always been a priority with me.
If you don’t sleep, you can’t really expect to keep your production up without crashing at some point.
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Dwayne Huggins on April 22nd, 2010
Hey J
I unplug to plan. When I have an idea I need no interruptions so I can get them all down.
My mind jumps all over the place and the internet is no help for this.
I find I am more relaxed when I am unplugged.
Relaxation increases creativity!
Your schedule sounds crazy, but a good crazy, as you give so much to us. It only stands to reason that you back what you put out (lifestyle you live).
Thanks for the “magic pill” “tip” “secret”
Dwayne – unplugged!
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Network Marketing Sweetie on April 22nd, 2010
Jason..this post is so timely for me. Thank you for making it clear. I know with my network of women, time management is the absolute biggest problem people deal with. Tracy
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David Wright on April 22nd, 2010
Jason,
All the challenges you mention, as well as some of the solutions, are addressed in Timothy Ferris’ “4 Hour Work Week”. Things such as blocking two times during the day for e-mail, using a list with 2-3 critical tasks for the day, focusing on getting those things done (at least 1 before 11am, etc. I found it interesting Mike Dillard mentioned similar principles in the WWN launch video.
I recommend that book for anybody, especially persons who are employed and trying to free time to build their business.
Great post as always.
Have a great day
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Suzi on April 22nd, 2010
I constantly struggle with time management. I need to put together a schedule and stick to it (that’s the hard part!). I already have good working schedules for other aspects of my life (Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, various other kids activities), I don’t know why I haven’t put one together for my work life!
Thanks for the “timely” reminder, Jason!
Suzi
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April 22nd, 2010 at 1:20 pm
I seem to have trouble with schedules… or other complicated devices…
What works best for me is a simple list.
I don’t know how you do it.
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Melodie Kantner on April 22nd, 2010
Hi Jason,
I love this post. I am obsessive about lists but sometimes I get sucked in by things I am doing online and neglect my list. I had to slap myself silly about a week ago because it was becoming a pattern. Now I am back on track.
Unplug is key because it seems that people have some kind of radar that lets them know I’m writing an article or blog post and it’s time to call or send an instant message. When I respond to them, I often lose train of thought that was flowing.
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April 22nd, 2010 at 1:21 pm
It’s the brain waves… as soon as you start to think you attract time suckers…
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Wayne Vassell on April 22nd, 2010
Hey J,
You hit the nail on the head here! I have to say time management is one of biggest “challenges” the more I learn is great cause I can write “how-to” all day, but the bigger my “to-do” list is getting and more and more things to break my attention are coming my way.
You are right, we need to stick to these hour blocks and shut out the “noise”.
See that’s why I like coming here, value every time, that’s why I done a blog post today regarding your blog (shameless plug)
Thanks J,
Wayne Vassell, signing out…
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Mike Baglio on April 22nd, 2010
Hey Jason ! you know what, your absolutely right . I’m getting to the point every morning that I don’t want to check my emails because it keeps me from getting down to business but if I hadn’t checked it I wouldn’t have caught your latest post so it’s like your damned if you do and damned if you don’t but i get what your saying. Message received.
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April 22nd, 2010 at 1:22 pm
It’s the toughest thing to do.
I won’t lie. I’m not 100% successful at applying this principle.
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fred on April 22nd, 2010
Time management is one of the hardest part of my life to get control of.All of my adult life I have had a JOB and a BOSS now I do not have a job any more ,I do have different kind of a boss
Its called A WIFE .I will plan my day ,then have to change things when all the honey does start which throws a monkey wrench into my plans .
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Yadvinder Singh on April 22nd, 2010
Yeah sometimes(everytime) the off office work is the
hardest and very demotivating to do because it is not giving you cash or instant cash or leading to it. And of course the more I manage my time the more organize I get though it makes me feel like a robot but still it is handy. Carry on the good work jason.
have a nice day:)
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Mary Thayer on April 22nd, 2010
Jason,
You are not kidding that it is incredibly hard to cut that string to the outside world. It is liberating though to have days where every item on your checklist is crossed off. It is a process to ween yourself off of and you can start over every week or day if you have to!
Thanks for sharing the great insights.
Mary Thayer
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April 22nd, 2010 at 1:24 pm
That’s my definition of a successful day too.
Everything checked off… or at least 3-4…
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Lynda Cromar on April 22nd, 2010
I totally agree, sometimes I have to make sure I get the important things done first, then I can do the stuff on the internet
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April 22nd, 2010 at 1:27 pm
It’s hard, but has to be done.
Gets even harder when you need the net for a lot of work these days.
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Jerome Ratliff on April 22nd, 2010
Hey J,
You’re right, sometimes the best option is to unplug. No matter how difficult that this. You just got to do it.
Sometimes I really do think less can be better.
Jerome Ratliff
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April 22nd, 2010 at 1:29 pm
Often is.
I don’t know about you…
But, my best ideas pop-up on slow days.
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Ana YourNetBiz Trainer on April 22nd, 2010
My take on time management is to be pro-active, rather than reactive.
For instance, checking your email first thing in the morning is reactive – it will suck you in and next thing you know half the day is gone and you have not even started on your list.
Of course, being proactive is more of an ideal than a reality many days.
Great post, Jason, hit the spot.
Ana Hoffman/Ana YourNetBiz on Better Networker
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Peter Montgomery on April 22nd, 2010
Very sound advice Jase,
Strikes a chord with me ’cause
I just posted an article on Better Networker on a similar topic.
I quote Trump in it from his Think Big talk where he says
to ask yourself “what should I be thinking about right now?”
And this will get you back on track (If you listen to the Answer)
(Just became a Member of the ABN:)
Thanks for all the great info
Pete.
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TAIDE on April 22nd, 2010
Yes, that is the most difficult thing to do. I have been reading and learning on how to be efficient with my time. Eben Pagan has great tips on his blog http://www.getaltitude.com about time managment. Another great succesfull guy named Garrett B. Gunderson author of Killing Sacred Cows and President of Engenuity Financial, LLC.
We just have to work and commit to ourselves.
Taide
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April 22nd, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Dan Kennedy has a great time management book out there too.
Possibly called No B.S. Time Management? Hmmm… not entirely sure.
It’s been a while since I read it.
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Gayle on April 22nd, 2010
Right on Jason, you truely are a master of KISS – as always, thank you sooooo much for your honesty and clarity.
Much appreciated
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April 22nd, 2010 at 4:11 pm
No problemo Gayle.
Hey, didn’t you have coaching with Ferny, Raymond,
and Jim a while back? Or am I mistaken?
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April 22nd, 2010 at 8:27 pm
yes that’s me, still in training (and reading, blood noses, dust offs, start again more educated!)
Had the best time, now getting off to do my list.
see you
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April 23rd, 2010 at 10:00 am
Aren’t we all?
In training I mean?
“Life is a journey and success is a destination.”
Tommy DiPietro on April 22nd, 2010
Hey J,
My Blackberry helps me cut things out and better manage my day.
I can check emails, a little social media, even blog. This is done when I am on the bus or a work. It allows me to get much more done and I am not always on the computer.
Posting from my Blackberry on the bus…
Tommy D.
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April 22nd, 2010 at 4:11 pm
Tommy, I was going to say “I need to get me one of those”.
Then I realized… I would never get off the internet… ever. haha
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Derek Fobert on April 22nd, 2010
Yep… I am with you on that, Jason! You are right… as soon as I climb out of bed, then having check my inbox and spend an outrageous amount of time online… I realize… that I have ran out of time – DOH!
So, Jason… After sharing your “Magic Cure”… does this mean we will be seeing less of you? LOL!
Awesome article… great advice to bring to our attention.
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April 23rd, 2010 at 10:01 am
Possibly!
I hate to say it my friend, but as this blog grows I may find it more difficult to keep up with all the leaders here.
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Matt Cassity on April 22nd, 2010
Yes You Hit The Nail Jason,
The communication overload is destroying entrepreneurial progress. In my business I unplug the internet, turn off my phone, and have a do not disturb sign on my door.
For anybody who wants to educate themselves on many more great tips on time mangement, go to Amazon. You can find a book called:
No B.S. Time Management For Entrepreneurs
By: Dan Kennedy.
If you don’t know Dan Kennedy he is a well known Copywriter who takes business success seriously!
You will really want to go invest in that Book!
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April 22nd, 2010 at 7:18 pm
Hey, Matt… Thanks for the advice. I will definitely check it out. All the Best!
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April 23rd, 2010 at 10:02 am
100% THE time management book to get.
I HIGHLY recommend it.
I need to buy a copy… read it years ago…
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Meriam on April 22nd, 2010
True…true and only too true, Jason. I found it hopelessly time wasting a while ago, only just…hmmm.. but, I consider it a lesson you gotta learn. I used to get hopelessly lost on this “Infos X’plotion” and at the end of the day, I used to ask myself: Where was I? and what was all that about? and the answer? I WAS AT ZERO KINGDOM AND I ENDED UP WITH ZERO OUTPUT. Believe me, it was a real pain!!! Now, like you and many others who had realised in time, I have started my day always with my “to do list” close and handy.
Thanks again Jason. Have an awesome good day. Whatever it the matter with yr water heater/boiler, it is now repaired and functioning ok again!
Meriam
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Nelson Montanez on April 23rd, 2010
I’ll be honest, ever since I first heard of making your daily list, I always made it mentally but never actually wrote it down on a daily basis. I will make it a goal to do this activity every evening before going to bed. Thanks for the reminder Jason.
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April 23rd, 2010 at 9:59 am
Dude, this is a huge!
Definitely get in the habit.
Mountains will move out of your way.
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Dale Hinton on April 23rd, 2010
Jason you are SO right about the email!!! I find that I have unknowingly gotten sucked into a black hole of emails that are primarily from the gazillion sites that I have opted into, to the lists that I have gotten onto each time I buy an product, etc. I have found that over time, that I am spending more time reading all of the pitch emails from these optins and product pages, not including the great messages from all the superb gurus like you that I subscribe to, that I have gone entire evenings without really connecting with my family. Yikes!!! How could I have allowed this to happen!!!
But now you have provided a cure… I am going to start purposely disconnecting and creating a to do list and working on it. I was just listening to Mike Litman explain what he called the success six – to work on the 6 most important things that need to be done each day. And to attack them and focus on them. I also remember Mike Dillard’s notepad system.
Thanks for the timely post…
Here’s to learning the fine art of disconnecting!!!
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April 23rd, 2010 at 9:57 am
You know,
Sometimes I think 5 or 6 tasks on a daily list is excessive.
But I guess it depends on what type of work it is.
To me, there’s two types: the daily type, and the list.
But I have a list for both.
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anne on April 23rd, 2010
Hey Jason,
This is another great post. Thank you.
I am reminded of a post by Mike Dillard in the BetterNetworker forums one day a few months back. Someone asked why Mike was never around BN…Mike’s response was “some of the most successful people are the busiest.”
I agree…a few e-mails and FB requests will still be there when the important work at hand is complete.
Have a great Friday!
Anne
I
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April 23rd, 2010 at 9:56 am
And yet… he always seems to be at the right place at the right time.
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Marcus Baker on April 23rd, 2010
Jason,
I am using the Dillard 5 a day list a lot more. The only way I get through it is by spending some time totally unplugged as you suggest.
However it is teaching me to become totally ruthless about what I have time for. If I can’t make space on my list for something then I just let it go because it can’t be priority no matter what it is.
Previously I always stressed about what I didn’t complete every day but now I am making time at the end of the day to acknowledge myself for what I have completed. I must say it has reduced my stress enormously.
Cheers
Marcus
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April 23rd, 2010 at 9:54 am
Sometimes you have to be ruthless.
Especially with time hogs. Whether it’s the internet or
somebody knocking on the door.
It’s the only way to get things done.
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Susanna on April 23rd, 2010
Hey Jason,
This is very true. I decided to test the whole “post daily” thing this week, so I really had to crack down on better time management.
Spending time on my email, and other blogs, first thing had to go.
What I found out really surprised me. I seemed to have MORE time by the end of the day. I had fewer pressing things on my mind as I enjoyed the evenings with my family.
Yes, it’s so important to find a schedule that fits, and stick to it!
Thanks for a great post!
Susanna
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April 23rd, 2010 at 9:53 am
Yeah, I’m with you on that one. I couldn’t handle multiple blogs.
Not daily anyway. And it would be hard to stay on top
of everything and still run a busines!
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Derek Alvarez on April 23rd, 2010
I can definitely relate to this article, Jason…
The work, emails, meetings, etc. are piling up!
Making a list of priorities has helped tremendously, though.
Have a great weekend!
– Derek
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Richard Kaulfers on April 23rd, 2010
I hope you found some talent to fill that position. Pick up some of the light work. Did you give your self time to exercise, eating at least 5-6 times a with lighter and lighter meals.
Just about every big wig in this game has the same story no matter what. I need more this and that. I wanted this or that. I worked really hard till I dropped. Then it clicked. So is that the real formula. Thats any CEO in any business (successful ones) and not so successful.
Start building good habits while your business is young and truly enjoy it. LEARN TO SAY NO as well. NO NO NO. You can’t be everywhere all the time or help everyone.
Have a great day!
Richard Kaulfers.
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Fontella Williams on April 25th, 2010
Jason,
You’re 100% on it! Being a home business owner, distractions can be overwhelming ad stressful. We must block out our days and set strict routines and guard our time. Only check email twice a day at set times. Set a time for social media and stick to it. But the key is unplugging from all the electronic distractions. What we call distractions we actually allow.
I also agree with Marcus. I take time to write down at the end of the day the things I did get accomplished; a strategy I learned form Jeff Olson’s The Slight Edge. It’s affirming and it keeps me accountable to myself.
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Brey Lee on April 27th, 2010
Hi Jason!
You put it right on the button! Unplugging and going cold turkey for about 2 hours was a refreshing experience for me after wading in electronic info for a looong while.
Reviewing my priorities set me straight.
I actually got more things done with that.
Thanks for this article!
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April 28th, 2010 at 8:58 am
Watch out for the withdrawals…
Unplugging from the net gives me the shakes. 
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Richard Kaulfers on May 6th, 2010
A good friend of mine has been his own business owner for many many years. One thing I learned from him which you may not agree. Is do not jump when the consumer says jump. When the phone rings he will get it when he can. If there are people waiting they hang out and wait. Now this may be the result of long hard work for many years at first but its part of how things are done. Anyone who does business with him knows it any admires the way he handles things.
I am not saying ignore people or do not return calls but if you working on something then work it and move on.
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May 6th, 2010 at 8:57 am
I’m 100% with you here Richard.
Time is too precious to fritter away and waste on a million little things. What customers don’t always understand is that they wouldn’t have anything to buy if every business catered to their every whim – nothing would ever get done.
Great time management is customer service in the long run.
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Getting stuff done has only gotten harder over the last couple years because of the internet. There is such a see of information out there that it is easy to get lost in there, or lost in social media.
Yep, make a list, give yourself some specific time to get things done and you’ll see progress in your business.
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April 22nd, 2010 at 10:20 am
100% with you on that.
It’s absolutely insane how much information is produced each and every hour.
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