TIME LADDER…everyone has challenges periodically with Time Management. The business world we operate in continually assaults even our best attempts to stay on schedule. Only the very highly disciplined Salespeople manage to stay on schedule. Interestingly enough, the very highly disciplined Salespeople earn the most money! Everyone else says things like, "I just have so much to do, it's not my fault… the days just seem to fly by! It's not like I am not working, you know!". So how do the Superstars do it?
Here is your ACTION STEP… here is a technique that will really take you to the heart of the problem. Efficiency experts use this approach in large corporations. It is called a TIME LADDER. Here's how it works:
1. Take a blank Daytimer page and copy it five times. One for Monday, Tuesday, etc.
2. For the next week fill in exactly WHAT YOU DID in 15 minute increments. Do this as the day goes on…not at the end of the day. Do this for one week exactly as instructed… do not cut corners. Do not resist…it's only for a week and…this approach can change your life!
3. Now have a look at all the stuff you shouldn't have done (be brutally honest here) and highlight the non-productive items in bright yellow!.
4. Immediately stop doing the things that are not "revenue producing activities"…stop doing the things you highlighted. Most of all…make sure you definitely protect your mornings! The AM is Prime Time.
As the joke goes… Patient: "Doctor, when I do this it hurts!". Doctor: "Well then…don't do that anymore!". The TIME LADDER is an amazing way to identify where you are "spinning your wheels". Don't do that anymore! NO Excuses.