So, You need to find ways to increase productivity…
Does it feel like you need more & more time?
Yep, I’ve been there and still do get that feeling of overwhelm on occasion when I have not planned well.
If you’re just starting out as a newbie in internet marketing or blogging and learning the ropes, it’s very likely that you find yourself spending hours on the computer searching online…
Whether that be reading content, reading articles, looking at various software people are promoting – or reading about that next big program that’s about to launch.
Suddenly 24 hours have gone by and your original plans for the day, (to complete that article or video, for example) have gone out the window and it feels as though you have accomplished NOTHING.
But… you were still working all day… at least, that’s what it felt like.
If you’re feeling lost, the best gift you can give to yourself is some reasonable training to get yourself on the right road. (See where I started here).
The problem is, there is so much information out there, that you cannot possibly learn it all at once.
You need to focus on accomplishing things gradually – piece by piece.
Do too much in one go, you’re going to burn out.
If you already have half an idea what you’re doing, you’ve started training via a good course and you want to to start and grow your internet business…
You need to get to grips with organising your time in the best way possible.
This will mean organising time where you’ll be able to fit all the things you need to do, everything you do should have it’s set space of time.
It’s very temping when you start to try and do everything.
This will not work.
There is so much you have to do to just get proficient in ONE area, that you need to focus on one thing at a time — master that thing and THEN move on, but not before.
Here are some things you should focus on achieving when you’re starting out.
1) number 1 on your list for the day should be CONTENT CREATION.
If you’re hoping to make money from your website, you need to be creating content, you need to work on this every day, (if possible).
Even if you can only fit in a couple of hundred words one day, that is still an extra couple of hundred words towards completing a post.
2) website upkeep tasks.
for example, you need to get into the habit of checking for broken links or links to items no longer on sale/out of stock –
checking you’ve added alt text descriptions to images, expanding your articles or adding extra nice touches, (you can keep doing this over time).
Allocate a set space of time for this, say once a week, and you will really be able to keep on top of things considerably more efficiently than if you do it just whenever the mood takes you.
3) If you’re signed up to a training program, set aside time for your training.
whether that be once a day or every couple of days that you’re going to watch a training video – have a set time for it and stick to that.
4) Checking email – AVOID IT!
You only need to allow once or twice a day for this.
I know I’ve been guilty of checking email relentlessly and answering emails as they come in, but this is a massive time waster.
People can wait, they are not desperate for a response the second they send an email.
5) Check google analytics and google webmaster tools once or twice a week, (NOT several times a day!).
If you have a decent chunk of data to analyse, you will have more to work with.
Checking these things multiple times a day is not an effective use of your time. Yes, I know, I’ve been there too.
Time to break the cycle!!
6) If you have started affiliate marketing – do NOT relentlessly check your affiliate accounts.
Especially right in the beginning – you will feel really depressed if you continuously check your accounts to find a big fat ZERO!
It’s not very motivating when you start out to keep checking for sales…
it’s much more satisfying if you wait a while and then get a surprise when you see a whole bunch of sales have come through!
7) Make great use of your time by doing a couple of things at once…
OK, I’m not actually a fan of “multi-tasking,” when it comes to many things – but sometimes, it works.
For example, when I go out running, I also listen to a podcast.
This podcast may be related to self-development, internet marketing or entrepreneurship – but whatever it is, I’m learning something!
This isn’t the same as trying to learn multiple things at the same time and I don’t recommend that.
But if you’re going to have to spend time doing something that would otherwise be time wasted, (a long walk to the shop, for example) you can use that time to fit in some extra learning time!
8) Rather than sticking on the TV, pick up a book!!…
Buy books that are going to help you in your business, or simply change your mindset for the better.
I have switched entirely to non-fiction books, as I always feel I’m gaining knowledge that way and it means, even in your “free time” it feels you’re getting things done.
9) Pre-plan your months articles/work a month in advance.
For example, if you plan to write 3 articles per week, work out your titles, keyword research and content ideas for roughly 12 articles in advance, (or more if you want!).
I write all mine on a white board that I can look at while I work — ticking each article off as I go is very rewarding!
It totally diminishing that panic when you have no idea what to write about.
10) Make sure you have a personal diary or calendar!
Each morning, spend 5 to 10 minutes just working out your essential tasks of the day. Only write a few down, so they are manageable.
AT ALL COSTS, do these things FIRST!
After that, you have more freedom to choose what you want to do.
What do you do to make more productive use of your time?
Leave me a comment below!
All the best… 🙂
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