Create Blocks of Time

Most of us run on to do lists. (If you're anything like me, you probably have one running in your head right now!) These lists help you know what to do, but time blocking helps you identify when is the most productive time to actually do it.

Preparation:

Get out your calendar in whatever form you actually look at.

Get Clear on What Matters - If you do nothing else, taking time to clearly define and map out the following will make the greatest impact on the way you feel at the end of any given week and your bottom line.

Priorities (Put EVERYTHING on your calendar in this order)

Self Care

Family Time

Small business tasks that will help you reach big goals 
(Start with the big goal and work backward from there to determine what you can do daily and even hourly to get you there)

Your daily Income Producing Activities or IPAs 
(Prioritize those that are will bring the most value to your clients and in turn affect your bottom line the quickest)

Buffer Time 
(Time to finish tasks that may not have been completed in the time allotted or that were put aside due to something else taking priority

Other Appointments
(Usually personal appointments or those that bring your clients the least value)

Other Business Tasks 

Chores and Errands 
(Generally these can be fit in anywhere)

Step 1 - Know your Income Producing Activities (IPAs) Get clear on what activities bring the most value to your clients and therefore affect your bottom line. 

Step 2 - Break it Down Start with the sale and work backwards, what steps do you need to take along the way to get to a sale? Think of your IPAs in terms of farming. A farmer has to take a certain amount of steps in a certain order so that he maximizes the quantity and quality of the harvest in order to make money. Those are your IPAs.

Step 3 - Put it On the Calendar Identify the time of day when you are most focused and energetic and set a block of time for IPAs that are “closest to cash” or require more brain power than other tasks, Don’t forget your brain power booster. (If you don’t know what I’m talking about you need to!) 

Things that help me: 

Be sure to minimize outside distractions during this time block. Turn off your phone, e-mail notifications, social media, if you work from home choose a time when your kids are with someone else or sleeping.)

Identify what tasks need to be done daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly and add them to the calendar.

Step 4 - Plan for Road Blocks Consider things that are likely to put a wrench in your progress, formulate a plan to pivot ahead of time and put some “white space in your calendar for catch up time. If you don’t need this catch up time use this time to do some self care or get ahead! Life will happen but it doesn’t have to slow your momentum or stress you out! 

Step 5 - Never Give Up! The best way to reach a larger than life goal is to chip away at it consistently by doing small tasks that move the needle closer and closer to the big results! Keep track of your progress so when you have setbacks, you can easily see how far you have come!