TIME JUGGLER

[Karan]:  I was asked yesterday how, as a mother of two very young children, and a business owner, did I manage my time: how did I get everything done? 

I would hasten to point out that the question could have been equally asked of Ian, as a father of two young children and a business owner; as the dilemma is ours together and not mine alone.  Ian struggles as much as I do to make and find quality time with the children, whilst also focusing on our ambitions for the business.  Needless to say it's far from easy.

My answer to Claire's question yesterday began with me telling her I've given up on the crazy sleep habit I had become accustomed to prior to having children, and prior to our business really moving up a gear, and beginning to grow significantly. 

I then explained that, as I'm more productive in the morning, that I will get up as early as necessary to complete important tasks before "The Stuff of Days" kicks in.  By getting up early and before everyone else, I am able to apply concentrated effort for 90 minutes (2 hours maximum) - without interruption or distraction - and get a whole lot more done, as it really focuses the mind.  If you follow the principle that work will expand to fill the time available, you have to limit the time available with deadlines; and then stick to them!

I have learnt many new and more effective ways of working this year, thanks in no small part to Nigel Botterill, but one of my favourite methods is the following.  If you have a task to complete in e.g.: seven days, ask yourself this: if I had to complete this task in four days, or I would die, could it be done?  If the answer is "yes, but I'd have to work really hard, rescheduled this, postpone that and not watch TV for four days" well then, do it!  Nigel doesn't do flowery, but this method really works.  And remember, there's no point cheating, as you're only cheating yourself.  Push yourself harder and you'll be amazed by the outcome. 

The more routine and not-so-important tasks of the day can then be completed amongst "The Stuff of Days" like impromptu telephone calls and meetings etc.  I tend to leave the easier and not so brain-draining matters for the afternoon, when my energy levels are beginning to wane.  I do tend to have a second wind after the kids have gone to bed, but if I'm going to be up, about and productive early next day, there's no point burning the midnight oil.  But I do, as the routine and domestic stuff takes time too.

Claire and I swapped notes about how our houses aren't as clean as we'd like them, how in an ideal world we'd like more food in the fridge and who had the tallest pile of ironing.  At the moment Claire and I seem to be trading the same stuff, because with only one of us each, not everything gets done; we're prioritising on a day-to-day basis.  Throw in Christmas and we're both running around like our hair's on fire.  It can't all be done.  There are only 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week, and unless we're going to be cloned for Christmas, something's gotta give. 

Consider the VALUE of one of your working hours.  You can probably work out your hourly rate easily enough, but what value has it for you?  I attended a BNI meeting recently where a self-employed book keeper stood up and presented a case study: in essence, she had earned her client £10,000.  How?  By paying his book keeper £120 for keeping his books (funnily enough) and completing his quarterly VAT return, the client was able to dedicate his time to doing what he did best; sales and marketing.  As a result he was free to be in the right place at the right time to handle a sales enquiry that eventually became a £10,000 sale.  Would Claire's and my time be better spent growing our businesses and paying another entrepreneur to conquer the south face of our ironing piles, or ensuring we're not knee deep in dust when we get home?

Of course there is the expense of hiring someone to clean, iron and book-keep for you, but is it a false economy not to?  What else could you be doing, whilst this is being done for you?  Could these services be effectively earning you money, whilst assisting the growth of your business?  These are questions I am going to ask myself early in the New Year, as we have big plans for 2011 - which is going to take a lot of my time and energy - and I'm not going to allow pesky laundry to sabotage them!