Don’t have an hour today to spend on an important project, marketing, social networking, blogging, or whatever is on your list to move your business forward?
Then spend 30 minutes. Or 15 minutes.
Whatever time you’ve got, do what you can.
I was on Google+ earlier today, avoiding my daily workout because I knew I didn’t have the 45 minutes that’s my goal time. I ran into a post from Heather Frey (follow her if you want motivation to get healthy) about how getting fit isn’t all or nothing. It’s all the good choices added up, with as few bad choices as possible. So I squeezed in 20 minutes. And I feel better than if I’d skipped my workout completely. That got me thinking about how this applies to business, too.
It doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
Because 15 minutes is better than nothing. Little steps forward add up.
And when you can, take the big leaps and work through the big blocks of focused time.
My challenge to you today: pick a project or task and spend at least 15 minutes taking action to move it forward.
What can you get done today?
Photo credit: ppdigital from morguefile.com
I wish I could think like you do. I love blogging Michelle, and am truly giving it my all. Like I had said before, I appreciate your tips.
George
Hi George, just got to keep at it. :) And thank you for the kind words, I appreciate you.
Good point, sometimes working with be boys it feels pointless to start when I know I’ll be stopping in a few minutes but on projects, especially my own, 10 minutes are better than none.
It is! Of course, some bigger projects we need focus for more than 10 minutes at a time or it’s like repeatedly starting over (which is why multitasking takes longer!), but there’s always something productive we can do in a few minutes if we think strategically and choose the right little piece of it. :)
Such great advice, Michelle. I think we often get paralyzed by comparing what we can do to what others are doing. You can’t do everything. But, you can always keep moving forward.
That can happen so easily, Angie. You’re right–can’t do everything, but we can keep going.
I worked out a new list of posts for next week around the Social Sharing theme — brings my post total up to 6 YAY! And I ate my lunch … at the table — hehe you thought I was going to say at the desk, didn’t you? LOL Not today. Tonight is crafting night — gathered up the material that needs to be cut and spent another 15 minutes crocheting — working on a baby blanket for a friend of ours. Whew!
It really is important to remember that you do not need to do all or nothing. I know from personal experience, that when I think like that I end up not doing anything because I get so overwhelmed. Working towards eliminating that word from my day! LOL Baby steps are best!
Awesome, Kimberly. I so have to work on the whole not eating at my desk thing… baby steps. ;)
Sounds like you’ve had a very productive day!
Ahh…This is perfect! I am all for the 5, 10, 15 minute speed round. What surprises me is how much can happen in that short amount of time. And like you said, those drops in the bucket add up!!
It does! Thanks for commenting, and for the tweet, Rachel.
This is a great article! I used to beat myself up for not blogging 5x per week, which was my original goal. I’ve been much more consistant, but still haven’t managed to hit 5 posts per week due to time constraints, but instead of getting upset, I constantly remind myself that it’s ok as long as I’m working towards it and I will hit that goal soon enough!
Keep at it, you’ll get there. :)
I was postponing a blog post because i didn’t have time to do it in one seating so i wrote what i could today and will complete it later.
Thanks for the motivation
Awesome! Glad you got some of it done, Timour. :)
Yes, that all or nothing mentality will keep you stuck. I had to but this one in a suitcase and ship it out. Tiny steps become big steps, big steps become gigantic steps, next thing you know, you have finished the darn project.
Thanks for reminding me not to let it back in.
It sure can keep you stuck. I like how you describe the progress, Adalia, it starts with tiny steps.
That’s a great plan, Michelle. I do the same thing when I don’t want to work on something. I tell myself I’ll work on a project for only 15 or 20 minutes and then an hour later, it’s finished. Thanks for the good reminder that even a few minutes spent working on a project can make a big difference.
I agree, Lisa, that little goal can be so much easier to push through and reach on those kinds of projects. I need to do that more often. :)
most people think it is no use, if they can.t do a full row.
but every tiny little step helps
thanks for showing to them :)
starting to work on a little freebie project :)
Exactly! Every little step gets us closer. :)
I could read this post daily! I needed this reminder today. Thanks Michelle.
You have really launched into your calling of supporting us and sharing great knowledge. I am grateful to know you
It’s amazing what you can get done in little chunks if you seize the moment. Figure out how to ditch the long preliminaries and plunge in. I wrote large chunks of one of my marketing books in 15-minute chunks, using a very primitive laptop, while my young daughter (who is now a year past college) took her brief naps. And if I have 15 or 20 minutes to exercise, I grab it–either a quick race-walk around the farm I live on or jump on the exercise bike (where I can read at the same time) or even a real bike (where I can’t read but get fresh air).
I wrote parts of my most recent book, Guerrilla Marketing Goes Green, on the deck of a cruise ship!
Very interesting idea that I have even tried to practice but always give up and instead take time off. But hopefully your reminder will keep me back on track and I will spend time more efficient.
Thanks Michelle!
Very motivational post, Michelle. Totally goes with my “carpe diem” principle. Do the best you can in a day and make the maximum you can out of it.
But, remember to enjoy it, as well. That is what makes us different when compared to robots.
Thought provoking. Made me sit down and re-examine my time management matrix
Must do
should do,
would do,
could do
pass
certainly health maintenance is a must do!
Business health is also a must do! I will make sure that happens.
If you want to get anything done you have to take action. Ever little bit helps. It doesn’t matter if you are getting backlinks, writing content, sending out newsletters. Time is something we cannot replace.
Great post. I do the same thing when I don’t want to work on something. I tell myself I’ll work on a project for only 15 or 20 minutes and then an hour later, it’s finished. Thanks for sharing.