As you probably know, the success of your business isnt just about the plan; it is about getting the results expected from executing the plan. But knowing and doing are two different things. Effective time management is a large part of making this happen and success in managing your time effectively works much the same way - Focus on the results ...not on being busy.

Were used to the frenzy of the work day and if were not literally in motion we feel were not being productive. The funny thing is that so much of what makes your business (and life for that matter) successful has little to do with motion or being busy and everything to do with results. The Pareto Principle (also known as the 80-20 rule) applies here; 80% of unfocused efforts account for only 20% of the results achieved.

So, how do you solve the Pareto problem? Focus on the Gold Time"; the time you spend on important but not urgent activities. Gold Time activities focus your attention of the results that will bring about the biggest improvement or that are most important to you and/or your business.

For example, lets consider doing your taxes (ugh) and having to get your business receipts together, organize and summarize your mileage and auto expenses, make sure you have all your bank statements in order, etc. As I write this it is late February. Would you consider this to be urgent now? Probably not. However, can you see how these activities could become urgent, quickly? You turn around and its April 12 (March depending on your deadline). If you hadnt started doing this record keeping chore, how do you feel, what is your stress level and what does this do to your schedule for April 12 and possibly 13, 14 and possibly 15?

Exercise and eating healthy can also be important but non-urgent activities. From my own experience, you can easily put off exercising because Ill start back as soon as __________. You fill in the blank. I have a zillion reasons and Im sure you have one or two as well. After so long (too long) I turned around and its 10 pounds, 2 inches and a wardrobe later. Urgent? You betcha. At least I didnt wait until my heart told me it was urgent. I listened that old pair of jeans to get the message.

Yes, unexpected issues come up during the day that need addressing; there are changes in schedules, phone calls that throw you off. The challenge is having the discipline to do the important, non-urgent activities before you focus on the crisis activities. Those important and urgent activities HAVE to get done. They WILL get done and generally 1 hour wont make any difference.

BEFORE you check your email, before you return the irate customer call, before you go for that second cup of coffee and before you tell everyone how great that Marcia Ball concert was, spend just one hour focusing on an important long-term results or an important but not urgent task.

Making this change usually involves changing your behavior which isnt easy and takes persistence and patience. Over time however, practicing Gold Time Management you will:
Be more in control of what you do;
Be more productive and effective;
Have less stress;
Enjoy your work more; and
Have more quality time to relax and enjoy life outside work.

As Goethe said, Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least. Focus on results, not tasks; and focus on the most important result first.