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Out of Time or Out of Nerve?

By
Education & Training with Corcoran Consulting & Coaching

The most obvious downside of not managing your time well is you don't make it to anywhere the bottom of your long to-do list.  But that's not the only result, especially if the poor management is the norm, rather than an occasional yielding to something more intriguing at the moment.   If you do not effectively use your time, you tend to feel out of control and out of balance.

That's why addressing the problem will only work and help you in the short term if you do not look at the source of it!  It is not about time management, but personal management.

Are you avoiding something you don't want to deal with by wasting time?  If you really don't like to make prospecting calls, it may make you feel guilty that you are not pursuing what could be the entrance to a gold mine if a prospect turns into a lead and a lead into a buyer. If you are always busy and just don't have time to make the calls, then you may tell yourself you have a good reason for not calling.  Unfortunately, that doesn't really take you off the hook. You still need to make the calls! You still may be avoiding the real issue. Are you out of time or out of nerve?

Time occasionally runs out for all of us, but you must be realistic in asking yourself if you are dealing with a reason or an excuse. If you discern you are really out of time, the next step is to ask if you need to reprioritize.  Are the other items to cut from your schedule so you can call? Are you using a system that is conductive to productivity?  Could some of your prospecting or other tasks be outsourced to a virtual assistant?

Commitment for the Week:

Show us your commitment by commenting with your thoughts, plan and deadline below!

Make A Commitment: I will Manage My Time!


Deadline: _________

Bob Corcoran

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Comments (6)

Dennis Chanski
Hebron, CT

Bob, very true!  I would also add to that, that I don't thing that everyone really knows how to prioritize there list, and inaddition the focus for many is on the items that don't bring you closer to your goal. So in addition to the deadline, I would also focus on the items that will make a difference, and eliminate or delegate the other items that take time away from bringing you closer to our ultimate goal!

Jul 13, 2009 10:46 PM
Donna J. Stephens
BHHS Ambassador Real Estate - Omaha, NE
CRS

I am feeling guilty right now for not hurrying out the door to tie up loose ends at the office.

I am addicted to ActiveRain and reading about time management instead of going to work and managing my time more effectively.

Crazy but true. Now I am running out the door to "Manage my time more effectively!" Bye!

and Blessings!

Jul 14, 2009 12:48 AM
Robert Rauf
CMG Home Loans - Toms River, NJ

So true, your title is almost enough!  To do lists, treating prospecting like an appointment and getting the difficult out of the way first are all so important.

Jul 14, 2009 02:57 AM
Mirela Monte
Buyers' Choice Realty - North Myrtle Beach, SC
Myrtle Beach Real Estate

Bob:  Great post!  Thank you!  You make some excellent points! 

This is now featured on the Optimist Group.

Jul 25, 2009 04:25 AM
Bob Corcoran
Corcoran Consulting & Coaching - Swansea, IL

Thanks for the Featured Post, Mirela. I find that the question posed in this article is a good one to ask yourself in many situations in life.

Jul 25, 2009 11:06 AM
Bob Corcoran
Corcoran Consulting & Coaching - Swansea, IL

Thanks for all your comments.

The key to time and personal management is being honest with yourself.  As you said, Dennis, that may mean being ruthless about what will make you money in the long run.  There are other things that will make you more efficient - but often, you don't have to be the one who does these things.

Donna, I would be the last one to shake my finger at you for reading Active Rain, as I am somewhat addicted myself. We all know when reading becomes a way to kill time so you don't have to do what you need to attend to.

Robert, we all have tasks to do that are not our favorite. The key is finding a way to get them done - whether is it putting them on a "to-do list" or delegating them.

Jul 25, 2009 11:07 AM