Balancing

[cmdtrgd]

How do you balance your director duties with your personal business? I tend to do more of one than the other which puts me out of whack.

[ShanaSmith]

I think I spent most of the first year I was a director working on that very thing. My ED says, and I follow, always work your business first. That way you are teaching through example, and tending to what is most important. The other phrase that has helped me a lot is "I'll match my time with your effort". Meaning I will always be there to help a consultant that is working, not just selling, but working. I won't spend time chasing the ones that are just talk though. I tell them that this is my policy up front, and most really respect that. I also do one on one coaching calls with whoever is interested. We schedule 30 minutes calls to focus on what is working or could us a boost in their business. That way I know that my most serious consultants are getting my attention on a regular basis.

HTH

[bethcooks4u]

Balance has always been an issue for me. I tend to give it all to whatever I"m into. I have learned that I have to schedule everything (including down time). I started by doing a diary of everything I did for a week and I now do it whenever I start losing my flow. Doing that makes me see where I am spending all my time and where I can improve.

[cmdtrgd]

Those are great ideas, but how do you know what to spend your time on?

[bethcooks4u]

I do a task list and take notes when I am "working". - at least when I am tracking what I am spending my time at.

I take a calendar and write down what I did. For instance:


1-2 called:
Mary - host coaching
Sue - congrats for $1000 show
Joan - left message

[cmdtrgd]

That's a great idea. Any others?

[bethcooks4u]

I have always allowed phone calls and emails anytime. If someone wanted to know something or had a problem they could call me any time.

Today I sent out an email with my new hours. I still am very available and want to be but I let them know that I will not be taking calls or answering emails during certain times of the week (not just when I'm away - but even then I answer calls and emails lol). I think this is a big step for me to get more balanced and for dh to see that too.

[chefmeg]

I have to say that the talk by Les Hewitt at NC was as if he were talking directly to me-I spend more time "planning" my time then I actually do working. I have a really bad habit of thinking I am overworked when in reality, I don't do nearly as much as I thought. The idea of a time/chore diary is GREAT! When he discussed figuring our percentage of time doing specific things, I was shocked that I "work" only 7% of a WEEK!!!! What I am doing with the other 93% is running around like a chicken with my head cut off! It has been my goal since returning home to have dedicated office hours. My husband told me that "you are always doing work"...I thought he was crazy, but it's because I spread it among the other things I do. When I have dedicated office hours, my family has been told that I am NOT HERE! They then have to deal with Dad and I am actually getting work done-like right now, I am making my Host packets for my show tomorrow night (that has 10 people coming and I am making sure that 5 of them book for Sept or Oct!!!). Off to work!

[bethcooks4u]

Meg, you have described me totally! And my action plan for my business is to focus and work smarter. Most of my team members do not want to promote. Part of it is that many of them are hobbiests but part of it is that they get the impression that I work all the time. That is changing. I started by limiting my availability and I am going to model a more organized, efficient business plan.


...BTW It may look like I'm on CS and DCS a lot but it's really only short little snips of the day. I am scheduling my time for this, emails and other computer tasks now and am finding that I can still keep in touch without being addicted and absorbed.

[chefmeg]

Beth-I am lucky enough that I have 2 consultants that want to promote to Director in the next year...I just struggle with keeping my own recruiting going! I learned alot at NC, but I will share the one thing that stuck in my mind:
BE INTENTIONAL-I am applying this to all aspects of my life, not just PC.
I am making time for all of my "jobs" and when I am doing whatever that "job" is, I am focused! I hope it gets better once my kids are in school!

[bethcooks4u]

Beth-I am lucky enough that I have 2 consultants that want to promote to Director in the next year...I just struggle with keeping my own recruiting going! I learned alot at NC, but I will share the one thing that stuck in my mind:
BE INTENTIONAL-I am applying this to all aspects of my life, not just PC.
I am making time for all of my "jobs" and when I am doing whatever that "job" is, I am focused! I hope it gets better once my kids are in school!

That's a good philosophy to follow in every part of our lives! Thanks.