Working through the day small business owners, sole proprietors and just plain busy individuals are often heard to say “where does the time go?” or “I don’t know if I’m coming or going.” At that moment in time these sayings are, generally, a thought of frustration. Depending upon how one might look at the issue, however, they are sure signs of two things; you are busy, which is a good thing in some respects, and that you are over scheduled which can be good and bad.
Building in Productivity
In many instances, these “frustrations” just continue along as your blood pressure rises. Becoming “cross” with family and friends is an all too often occurrence and you just do not feel comfortable with how your personal and professional life is going. When you get to this point you know that things are about to “tip” in one way or another. You need to find some way to become more productive and efficient. If the fruits or your labor are not reaped in one form or another what is the point? If you are to grow and reap the rewards as a person and in business you need to find a way to slow down a bit.
As odd as it may sound, slowing down a bit and giving yourself some “me time” may actually solve many of these potentially harmful issues. The issue then becomes, how? Productivity and its assumed rewards can be found in many ways. Taking some of the time constraints off of your shoulders is the primary, and initial, step to take.
In past posts we’ve mentioned Virtual Assistants as a possibility when considering productivity as you go about your day. However, if you would rather not lose that control to a person why not incorporate some of the wonderful technology that a person, somewhat similar to you, has come up with to build their productivity into some “me time.”
Software opportunities
As just about all of us know, software comes in many forms. In many of the cases dealt with here we are looking at communications as a way to free time and build productivity. In this vein a relatively new service called Skype may be an answer for you. This communications tool, at its most basic, is an inexpensive way to get your communications needs to work for you and not against you. The service offers free online phone, messaging and video service to world-wide members that are trying to communicate with other members. It also offers reasonable rates for communications between members and non-members on-line and off-line world-wide.
The “me time” and productivity aspect shows up in the fact that the user doesn’t need to be on-line or at the terminal to use the service. The service can be used through your desk top or Wi-fi but the real benefit comes in the hundreds of third party programs that the service offers. If you are taking some “me time” to read a book or mull over a new dimension of your day or business there is likely a program offered that will let you keep in touch without being in touch, unless you want to be. The best part is, if the person on the other end is a member it will not cost a cent (NOTE: today there are approximately 9 million subscribers on line for the service at any one time and the service is free to sign up for. Certain services do cost but, generally, if you are a member you can use the service for free, for most options)
If you are engaged in a global business or have family overseas the advantages of this communications ability become apparent. It is, however, the third party developers that really lend the power. There are so many of them, all in similar circumstances to you, that a specific program is available. Check out our Finding time shopping page in the Specialty shopping area to order Skype.
The Rewards of “Me Time”
Sure you might say, “more time, like that’s going to happen.” Well it can if you look for it in the right places. And according to a Visa USA/SCORE survey 46 percent of you in small business are looking for it. Half that number would like to further pursue their passions and 32 percent of those surveyed would use it to further their businesses.
Taking the “me time” and stopping every now and again can give perspective on the business and where you want your life to be and go. It’s sort of like waking up in the middle of the night with an answer to a question you couldn’t quite get in the middle of the day. Freeing up that “me time” is the same concept; to help build productivity and the rewards that go along with it. Whether you use a program such as Skype or a Virtual Assistant to get there is only a means to the end, but it is there if you look for it.