Faith and Business 101: Top Ten List: You’re Too Busy If…

1. Stacks of books, mail and papers are lying around your house

2. The counter tops are piled with dirty dishes

3. You’re wearing an outfit from High School because the laundry hasn’t been done

4. Your children aren’t wearing much at all?

5. You haven’t talked to your close friends in over a week or more

6. You’re not sure what day it is

7. You’re not sure what month it is

8. The monthly bills haven’t been paid

9. You feel like you and your spouse have become roommates

10. You’re missing deadlines and letting people down

Well friends, I’ve tried to add a little humor to this list, but much of it –I hate to tell you—is what my life has looked like this past week! Some of it couldn’t be helped (root canals and unexpected events) but some of it definitely could have been fixed or avoided by simply planning ahead!

No time to plan ahead? Then you’re too busy and you should cut back significantly or hire help if you can afford it!

Now…the REAL question is (come on, let’s be honest!): Are you really too busy, or are you just wasting too much time?

Yikes!

I must say that my business wouldn’t have gotten anywhere without Social Networks like Twitter and Facebook, but it is so easy to waste a bunch of time on them, too!

Here are a few tips to avoid wasting too much time on Social Networks when you should be working:

1. Turn OFF the chat! I’ve had my turned off for over a year, but many people do not know that you can do that. Simply click on the chat button and turn it to “offline.”

2. Set a timer for whatever time limit you choose and shut Facebook/Twitter, etc. down when the buzzer goes off.

3. If you are using a fan page for your business, plan your posts ahead of time and don’t spend a lot of extra time socializing during your business posts. Post your thoughts or links and then shut it back down. Return a few hours later to check for responses, give yourself some time to respond and then get back off.

4. Same concept with Twitter and any other Social Networks you frequent.

5. Don’t get me wrong! Some socializing is good and needed. You build relationships, create community and gain clients that way. And give yourself permission to take a little break and have some fun socializing online every now and then, too! Just make sure to schedule your time well… or before you know it, your husband’s home, the kids have watched too much t.v., dinner is nowhere in sight, and you’re still laughing over a silly video that someone posted on your wall!  :-)

Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Ephesians 5:16-17 ESV

Until next time…

MariLee Parrish

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