Goals
For those of you conducting a business, the first thing for you to do each morning is to check your goals. How many calls are you to make, how many contacts, articles, etc. Your goals will depend on where you are in your business---just starting, in business for a year, two years, etc.
Calendar
The next thing to do is to check your calendar for the day, and to check your tickler file. Depending on what is on your calendar and in your tickler file will determine what else you will be doing for the day. Let's assume you don't have any appointments scheduled. Your tickler file is empty, other than for your To Do list.
"Snail" Mail and E-mail
Next you check any e-mail you have received and answer it. Answer any "snail" mail from the previous day.
Telephone Calls
Create a list of potential clients to call or follow-up on. Once this is done, start calling (be sure to follow your script and leave the appropriate message). Update your databases after you call.
Reading
Next you want to do some reading in your area, both on and off-line. Don't forget you can do some of this during your lunch break. Consider visiting on-line groups that relate to your business.
End-of-day Chores
- Be sure to check e-mail again in the afternoon and respond if necessary.
- Prepare any "snail" mail that you might have promised during your phone conversations.
- Straighten out your desk,
- Create your "To Do" list for the next day,
- Check your tickler file, and add any appointments to your calendar.
Miscellaneous Chores
Mail
Depending upon when your mail is delivered, you will need to deal with this also. Open and respond to any snail mail, or put it in mail folders to deal with later or the next day. If you use a mail box you will need to schedule this in during the day. Decide if you need to go daily or a couple times a week.
Personally, I schedule two post office runs each week. I waste too much time going every day. For those of you running a mail order business, you might want to look into services that come to your home for pick-up or use a service that goes to the post office for you.
Banking
For accounting and deposits, I do this on a weekly basis, however others might feel more comfortable dealing with it daily.
Credit Card Processing
Also for those of you with merchant accounts, it is best to run your credit cards in batches and then batch out at the end of the day.
Client Time
For those of you in the lease purchase business, the above is just part of what you need to do each day. What I mean is, if you are in the middle of a deal you will also have to schedule time for credit checks, showing the property, and calls from tenant buyers.
With good time management and organization skills it can be done. We do it every day. We get it all done with time to spare. How? You can do it with a lot of practice. Don't get discouraged.
Copyright 2005 Chuck & Sue DeFiore are authors, publishers, coaches, and consultants. Visit their Home Business Solutions Web Site---Where you'll learn about the Perfect Home-Based Business.
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