One of the biggest challenges i’ve personally faced in the home business industry is making productive, efficient use of my time. I’ve spoken to many of my friends and colleagues in the industry who say the same thing. When you run a business that is primarily online you are constantly distracted. This is especially true if you’ve engulfed yourself in the world of online marketing. The marketers job is to distract you. To divert your attention to his/her landing page or offer. Although many times the products, services or information may be useful to you it is vital to not let these constant distractions affect your productivity.
The following list of 23 productivity tips for network marketers and home business professionals absolutely work. However, simply reading them will do you no good. You need to put them into action in your daily life. Everything must become a habit!
These were taught to me by a mentor of mine who has been making over $100,000 per month in our primary direct sales business for at least the past 6 months. However, he learned them in a training series taught by Eben Pagan called, “Wake Up Productive.” I don’t care how limited your time is, if you put these tips to use over the next 3-6 months you will not recognize your business, period.
1.) Failing to plan is planning to fail. You must set goals and tasks for the month, the week and the day. Do you have a plan?
2.) Use a stopwatch or a timer – 60 minute intervals. (Its amazing how much you can get done in a single hour when you do this). If you don’t finish your task in the hour move on. Finish it the next day when you have that activity scheduled.
3.) 90% of your time must be MMA (Money Making Activities)
4.) Multitasking is not efficient and lessens your IQ.
5.) Avoid distractions at all costs. Let your voicemail do its job.
6.) Create routines for everything you do.
7.) 10 minute breaks every hour. 50/10. During this 10 minute break step outside and get fresh air.
8.) Time management is a misnomer. You must manage yourself in time.
9.) Drink water & get fresh air. Again, you can do this on your 10 minute break.
10.) Exercise is vital. If you don’t do it you will have no energy.
11.) Eliminate energy robbers. No junk food!
12.) Get up and go to bed at the same time every day. Routine is imperative.
13.) Email rule #1 – Emails don’t make money. Its NMMA (non money making activity). Check and reply to emails at the beginning and the end every day. Not in between. Constantly checking emails is the #1 productivity KILLER for the online business owner.
14.) Email rule #2 – Never spend more than 30 minutes per day on emails.
15.) Plan your learning and productivity as two seperate activities.
16.) Phone call rule #1 – Call leads/prospects on the same day. The sooner the better. While you and your offer is fresh in their mind.
17.) Call Rule #2 – Block out 30 minutes to 2 hours per day to connect with prospects. (depending on your amount of time and amount of business). Then get back on task.
18.) Always schedule time for family, friends… Whoever. Having a balanced life is essential.
19.) Take your spouse/partner to dinner at least once per week. Reward them for the sacrifices they are making to improve your lives.
20.) MINDSET BEFORE MARKETING!! 1 hour per day on personal development. If you are short on time you can combine your physical exercise and your personal development. I like to run for a few miles then walk back home. When I walk back I go over what I’m grateful for about 5 minutes. Then I spend the next 5 minutes visualizing my goals as if they were already a reality. The final 5 minutes or so I repeat my objective out loud or sometimes in my head. I do this first thing every day. I call it my “hour of power” and it puts me in a state of creativity and clarity for the rest of the day.
21.) Pick one or two strategies and master them before you move on to a new strategy. If you’re productive and efficient it should take about 90 days to master a specific task.
22.) Set aside at least one hour per day on marketing training. Especially if you are brand new. Remember this is a non money making activity. It is important, but you must put more time and energy into implementing strategies.
23.) Set a schedule and stick to it.
24.) Do not worry about being better than the next person. The only person you need to be better than is the person you were yesterday.
I made up that last one ; )
I must admit I am not always great at implementing all of these productivity strategies but I am getting better. It will not be easy at first but when it becomes routine you will not even need to think about. You will simply flow into your daily method of operation and it will be natural. Practice this for the next 90 days and watch your business transform.
If you enjoyed reading this post or if this information was helpful to you please leave a comment below sharing your thoughts.
Thank you!
Adam Chandler
Online Business and Marketing Coach
Direct: 970-568-6136
Skype: adamjohnchandler
Email: adamjohnchandler@gmail.com
This is great, Adam. So many marketers (network or not) really lose track of the basic habits that translate into long-term success. Some subtle, some downright do-or-die.
Great job on #24 – that one hits home for me real hard right now. Gotta keep that positive attitude, and continually improve ourselves! After all, we become what we think about.