Time Management Ideas for Direct Sellers

A Direct Sellers List Of Time Management Tips

Thank you to all of the amazing direct sales leaders who contributed to this list of time management tips that have helped them and thousands of others to stay focused on the important tasks.

Here are their suggestions for how to manage your time and have a more effective direct selling business:

• I post reminders of what I want to do where I can see them all day.
• I declare for the day 6 things to accomplish for my six month goal.
• I stay focused with no paper on my desk: an egg timer my “six most important list” are all that are on my desk.
• Block time on the calendar to do what I am focusing on. Then I can’t do anything else until I am done.
• Keep a large “post it note” with the priority front and center on my desk.
• Develop systems and stick to them; stop jumping to every new idea.
• When you don’t want to do anything that is the time to do something.
• Sitting around doing nothing will not clean the house or produce income! Get moving!
• Start day with exercise and deep breathing-gets me centered, helps me focus on what’s important.
• Take one day each week totally off – no phone, no email to recharge your batteries.
• Organize your thoughts before formulating a plan of action.
• Schedule your time for calls, paperwork, email, etc.
• I schedule time to work on income-producing activities, and set a timer to keep me focused!!
• Plan in 3 years, 2, 1 year, 90 day segments. And develop business growth strategies to execute daily.
• Daily Meditation: my days were easy and productive and calm!
• Write down the top 3-5 things in three categories. I have focused intention so I see it all the time to stay focused.
• Start the day with an agenda.
• Sunday night exercise: Think: what are the 2-3 key things I will accomplish this week to make it a successful week?
• Set a schedule for yourself and stick to it, e.g. calculate time for trivial tasks. I will only spend 1 hour a day picking up the house. I will spend 8-8:30 making my calls, etc.
• Before going to bed, write your accomplishment list (while laying in bed) in order to plan your next day.
• Find time alone with no distractions.
• Stop obsessing over your email. Open it only 3 times each day – when you get into the office, after lunch, and before the close of day. Must close the email program all other times!
• Be aware of the time you spend on the computer, a phone call, lunch, etc.
• I set priorities of the day that I really want to accomplish designate a certain amount of time to do it. Set timer and stop when timer goes off.
• Spend a few minutes each day thinking and dreaming about your “why.”
• Clear the clutter.
• “10 before 10:” 10 contacts before 10 am (live or voicemail) or 10 recognitions to team members before 10 am.
• Set a schedule with office hours.
• Post my monthly goals in large letters on my corkboard.
• Prioritize with your long term goals in mind. If the task doesn’t move you toward that goal put it on one list to do later (or never). Put everything else on the list that you work from.
• Meditate first thing in the morning.
• Dedicating 15 minutes a day to research or read an article to help you grow your business.
• Prioritize Projects: do brain dumps onto post-its then date the activities. Then move to productivity tracker/planner according to date to accomplish. This gives you clarity for multiple income producing projects. Celebrate success when completed.
• Power Hour: 15 minute intervals of working my business – may not always be one full hour at a time.
• Set 2 one hour blocks for recruiting. Each call is not more than 10 minutes.
• Is what I am doing right now going to move my business forward as quickly as I want it to?
• Make 2-3 calls per day for each of these: coaching, team prospects, customer care.
• I keep my affirmations in front of me all the time.
• Have a general list that is the same one every day. The “to do’s” on this list are the ones that should grow your business. Do them each day before making a list.
• Each day prioritize by number and star with number 1. Check off each item and endorse yourself.
• Integrity issue: keep your promises made to yourself. Do what you say you are going to do.
• Stay committed to that task at hand.
• Keep your eye on the prize, i.e. keep your vision in front of you daily.Have a vision of the end result.
• Set a timer for 15 minutes and every time it goes off make sure I am still on task.
• Work out daily: My best thought come when I am on the Stairmaster with no TV.
• Be consistent with weekly client contact and follow up and use a worksheet to draw your focus to that contact list.
• Close the office door.
• Get enough sleep. I am more active and focused when I have taken the time to rest and relax as opposed to go, go, go!
• Learn to say not to the small that things that drain your energy. Train team members to find the answer themselves.
• No matter how busy and urgent your day seems, spend 30 minutes to an hour with Goad and the work of God. He will bless and redeem the time.
• Eliminate all distractions and focus on only one task. Take time to focus on the Big Picture to stay focused. I use a checklist to keep me accountable to myself.
• Make a list of the 6 most important things to do today and focus on those until they are complete. Put it up in case you think of something else to add.

Feel free to add your best tip to stay focused!

DSWA Director Of Leadership Development

Dana Phillips is the director of leadership development at the DSWA.  As a coach and trainer working from home she loves impacting the lives of others. She and here husband Neil  have been partners in the direct sales business for 25 years. TeamConnections

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