Debbie Mayo-Smith: Be more effective in five easy steps

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Debbie is giving away two ebook copies of 101 Quick Tips Surviving the Kids, co-written with Mary Lambie. To enter the contest this week, simply email debbie at contest@successis.co.nz

The reality is that you can't do it all, nor can you have it all. You cannot work fifty hours a week, bake your bread, raise happy children, be a great sex goddess/god, keep a perfect house, do your own accounts, be an involved school/sport/community parent and get enough sleep. There are only 24 hours in a day - no matter how great at multitasking you are.

To focus your efforts, first look at (and list) all the activities you do in each role of your life - parent, partner, community member, business (as an employee, executive or business owner).

Next, rate them:

A: very important what you must do
B: important what you should do

For both A and B, you try to do them as EFFECTIVELY as possible. More on this in a moment.

C: things that are nice to do
D: delegate
E: eliminate, whenever possible

By getting rid of the 'D's' and 'E's' you'll free up time, gain balance and improve your business success.

For a free goal setting and activity worksheet download, click here.

Coming back to point A and B, you can save an exceedingly enormous amount of time by simply learning your software better. As you know, computers are an integral component of most jobs today. The travesty is that due to lack of time and training most software functions, which could save you masses of time, remain hidden and unknown.

My number one tip is to learn your software. Set aside five minutes per day to look at the ribbons or drop down menus and see what's there. Type the function name into the help menu to learn what it is, and what it does.

Because of the software knowledge I've accumulated over time, I can honestly say that I can now accomplish in one hour, what would take others four or five, minimum. What would you do with all this extra time?

Share your delegating, eliminating or doing better tricks with us!!!!

Written by Debbie Mayo-Smith, One of New Zealand's most in-demand speakers, trainers and bestselling authors. Debbie works with companies that want more effective staff. For more tips and business ideas sign up for her free monthly newsletter.