The One Thing Entrepreneurs Can't Buy: Time

A lot of people ask me how to achieve their business goals. They want to know what they need to do in order to be successful. And while I always have a lot of advice, there is one thing that I think is more important than anything else: understanding the value of time.

As an entrepreneur, time is one of your most valuable assets. You can always raise more money or find new ideas, but you can never get more time. That's why it's so important to use your time wisely and make every minute count. In this blog post, we will discuss the importance of time and how you can use it to your advantage! Before we do, I'd like to share the following ideas to consider:

• Your time and energy are as valuable as those of anyone else. (Why are various service providers (coaches, consultants, real estate agents, etc.) giving away their time, undivided attention and intellectual capital with no compensation for service provided?)

• You have the right to say "No" to doing things you dislike or find objectionable or inconvenient. (Your plumber does not jump up and meet you in the parking lot, providing services for free! Why are real estate agents, jumping up to meet everyone who says “I’m thinking about buying a house?” Why are coaches and consultants allowing people to "pick their brains" for free? )

• You definitely do not have to do everything you are asked to do. (When a client asks you to reduce your commission, give them a discount, make up their beds , clean a home, help them pack, help them move, etc. – think about if this is mutually beneficial and agreeable!)

• Only people who want to manipulate you insist that you should. (Do not allow clients to place a false sense of responsibility upon you. If buyers want done for you, concierge level service, they should be billed accordingly. If sellers want top dollar, they should offer top condition. STOP allowing people with overpriced, dirty, cluttered homes to waste your time, money and talents!)

• It is easier to avoid being manipulated if you are not a manipulator yourself.(Do not hustle people into buying homes or coaching programs that they cannot afford.)

• Your wants, needs, and happiness are as important as anyone's. (As business owners, you do NOT have to work seven days a week!! Take time for YOUR life!)

• You don't have to provide an excuse or explanation for not wanting to do something.(There is no need to set yourself on fire to keep others warm. Be accountable and responsible for YOUR thoughts, words and behavior. Set healthy boundaries in every relationship. Release the pressure to jump into people pleasing. proving and perfectionism.)

• You are not stubborn or mean just because I don't want to do what others ask.(Know thyself. Get into a self-development course. Work on increasing your sense of self-worth.)

• You are not obligated to do anything that you don't want to do. (If it feels icky, walk away. Your intuition will never steer you wrong.)

Now that we have discussed some things to consider, let's get into how you can use time to your advantage!

How to Achieve Your Business Goals by Understanding the Value of Time

First, let's look at how much time you have. You might be surprised to learn that you actually have more time than you think! We all have the same amount of time in a day, but it's how we use that time that makes all the difference. If you want to achieve your business goals, you need to make sure that you are using your time wisely.

Here are a few tips:

1. Understand the value of your time. (How much is your time worth? What is your time worth per hour?)

2. Make a list of goals. (What do you want to achieve in the next year? In the next five years?)

3. Determine what is holding you back from achieving those goals. (Do you need more education? More experience?)

4. Create a plan of action. (What steps do you need to take to achieve your goals?)

5. Clarify priorities. Not everything requires your immediate attention.  (What is the most important thing you need to focus on right now?)

6. Learn how to delegate and trust others to help you with your work. This will free up your time so that you can focus on more important things. (What activities are in yoru zone of genius and what activities are best outsourced?)

7. Focus on high-leverage activities that will have the biggest impact on your business. (What are the most important things you need to do right now?)

8. Automate or outsource tasks that take up a lot of your time but don't contribute to your bottom line. (What processes can be automated or outsourced?)

9. Set boundaries. (How much time are you willing to give to each task? What is your cutoff point?)

10. Stop procrastinating and spinning in and out of perfectionism. These are huge time wasters!

11. Plan and prepare. (What can you do ahead of time to make things easier for yourself?)

12. Set a deadline.(When do you want to achieve your goals?)

13. Work on your time management skills. (How can you make the most of the time you have?)

14. Take some time for yourself. You can't pour from an empty cup. Recharge and come back refreshed and ready to work on your business. (How much personal time do you need each week/month/year?)

These are just a few tips to get you started! Remember, time is precious and should be used wisely.

The most important thing to remember is that YOU are in control of your time. You get to decide how you want to spend it. Here is a quick exercise to support you in using your time wisely:

• Write down how much you believe that your time is worth.

• Write down what you have time for.

• Now write down what you do not have time for.

• Now understand why you have or have not achieved your business goals.

What other tips do you have for using time wisely? Share them in the comments below! And if you found this blog post helpful, be sure to share it with your friends! Until next time...happy goal setting! :)