How to Be Productive

How hard do you work? Do you work hard or do you work smart? Many people work very hard but never seem to get the things accomplished they need to in order to meet their goals. The first step to working smart is to admit that even though you have a lot to do, you will NOT get it all finished. Realize that "you can't do it all" and don't let that fact frustrate you. The next step is to decide how to spend your time. Try to set up a "time budget" just like the way you budget your money. Time is a very precious commodity. The way we spend our time determines how we earn our money - and how much we can earn. Think about allocating your time as investments and expenses. Consider watching television, gossiping or dining out as expenses. On the other hand, going to college, writing a book, or learning a new skill are investments because they contribute to your future success. The more time you spend on investments, the more successful you will be. How productive do you think you are? Spending valuable time randomly surfing the web may not lead you in the direction you want to go. But, if you plan on searching the Internet for specific information (such as potential Joint Venture partners or design ideas), you will be investing toward your future achievements. Being busy doesn't necessarily mean that you are accomplishing your objectives. Of course, you must expense some time toward "playing." Keeping a balance between work an play gives your brain a much needed rest. You may be surprised at what good ideas you can come up with when you're not stressing out about a problem. When thinking about your overall productivity, remember that you can't really "manage" your time, but you CAN manage how you "use" your time.