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TALLY WORK TIME TO MAKE MORE OF YOUR DAY

Some call time the ultimate “non-renewable asset.” It’s the one commodity we can't create more of. This is especially true for the entrepreneur, teleworker, or small or home office (SOHO) worker or home business owner prone to wearing many hats – all of which require time to perform and perfect.

But if you can use better time management skills to squeeze more quality and profitable time out of an otherwise static workday, you’ll be left with more time for your business and yourself.

Try these tips to help boost time management acumen:

• Time shift to aid your peak productivity times. If you are more creative in the morning, use that time wisely. Take your phone off the hook, screen your calls with Caller ID, or just let voice mail or the machine answer incoming calls. Write that article, proposal, press release or book chapter. Once you've tapped out on create juices for the morning, you can settle back into the office rhythm.

• Just say no. Probably the hardest task when running an at-home writing business is telling family or friends "I have to call you back" when they call during deadline or our "right-brain time." Be firm. Even if it's a sidelight, this is a business you're running.

• Prioritize your "to-do lists." For example, if writing that pitch letter is the most important priority for the week, place an "A" next to it. Many "A" items can share space on the list, but only as many as can reasonably be completed in the time allotted.

• Stay organized. File papers. Ditch clutter. Create a filing system that works for you, and spend a few hours each Friday or Sunday evening tending to it and clearing the clutter.

• Touch mail only once. Open, categorize and file mail or parcels the moment they come in the door.

• Make your phone a power tool. Program in your most frequently dialed numbers into speed dial to alleviate misdialing or looking up numbers again. Use a cordless headset (www.plantronics.com) to make answering incoming calls a one-button motion, while also eliminating a pain in the neck.

• Use Caller ID. Using this common feature will allow you to screen most incoming calls, thereby determining whether you want to have a particular conversation.

• Use a call coding service from to attach billing codes to each long distance call. At month's end, all long-distance toll calls are separated, itemized and totaled.

• Set preferences and filters to steer incoming email to files detailed by client or task. This will allow you to read them at your own schedule.

• Standardize and automate. Create uniform pitch, follow-up or other business solicitation letters. Ditto for email. Keep an updated copy of your resume in the PC, and copies of your best clips in an easily accessible file.

When you're done with this column, think about the important projects you need to do. Where do they fit in your busy day? Then pause for that thought again later today, and tomorrow, and a few times each work day in the future. Make it a habit to map your day and track your time usage - ensuring you're running at peak efficiency.

By Jeff Zbar – Writer & Speaker on Technology, Entrepreneurship, Home Officing, Telework & Work/Life Balance. Read the 'Home Office & Times' blog @ www.chiefhomeofficer.com.