by Dr. Michael Smith

Created on: March 11, 2011

People often tell me that just listening to all the things I do in a day tires them just to think about them. Between running three businesses and a non-profit foundation, teaching six college classes this semester, working on my PhD, and caring for an aging mother, not many minutes are left in a day. Organization and communication make the difference between you running your life or your life running you. Consider these simple ideas to make your life as a business person more manageable.

Choose between options and do the most important first.

A real eye-opener comes when you take inventory of the time you waste in a day. Most people waste 3-4 hours with such mind-numbing activities as watching TV, texting, or surfing the web. Those of us who are super busy have little sympathy for someone who constantly whines about “I don’t have time!” The reality is that every person has the same number of hours in a day. The problem is not with the amount, but with priorities and how you organize your time. Prioritize things in order of importance and then work the list. If you have things left over that still must be done, make them the first things you do tomorrow.

Triage the vital activities

We all have days when the wheels come off the wagon. You know how those days are and the insurmountable stress they produce. You find yourself with fires that need to be put out everywhere. Triage is the emergence measures taken by hospitals to bring chaotic situations under control. The last thing you need is to come unglued. Take a deep breath and maintain your composure. Delegate and hold people responsible for pieces of the problem. This is where you need to have a good network of partners. Having people you can depend on can be the difference between chaos and order. Never abuse those who are vital to your success. Remember to reward them when things calm down and never take them for granted.

Make family your central core

Always remind yourself of your core values. At the center is the most stable part of your life. Most chaos occurs out on the fringe and has a way of pulling you away from that which is important. Your family is one of these core values. They must take first place regardless. Never sacrifice your family for a dollar, no matter how much. So many professional people lose their families because their schedule has no time built in for those vital core values. Set a schedule with blocks of time which cannot be violated. Remember that there will always be another deal, another sale—there may not be another soccer game or basketball game where your son will be playing. If you fail your spouse and children nothing else matters much. Money makes for a poor bedmate in an empty house.

Learn to say “No!”

My mom always says my weakest point is my inability to refuse something asked of me. I have this compulsion to say yes. I love serving others, but there comes a time when I cannot add anything else to my plate. “No” is the most powerful word in the human language. Learn to use it often and never feel guilty when you refuse a request.

Re-evaluate priorities often

The key to success as a small business person is to never get locked in to one idea. As a life coach I see it everyday. Old ideas, methods, and ways of thinking will doom you and your business. The business world as it is today means you must constantly re-evaluate your priorities, your convictions, and how you do business. These are living instruments that must change often, without changing your core values. Sanity as a small business person comes when you allow the storms to rage around you but are at peace within your own skin.

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