I’m involved in a few groups of entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, small business owners, and general movers and shakers. There are SO MANY topics we cover with each other on the daily but one that comes up over and over again is this:

Susie Solopreneur: “I’m just starting my business and I have no idea how to break down my time for myself. I just left my corporate gig and I have always been told how to spend my time – now I’m lost! How do I get everything done?”

Betsy Business Owner: “Oh, Susie, there are sooooo many tools you can use to organize yourself. Have you seen the resource list here? There are tons of great options and free links! Now go pick from all of the choices and get organized!”

Um, sounds easy enough, right, Susie? Just pick a time/stuff/life organization tool from a big list, plug in everything you have to do each day, and the magical (and FREE!) tool will tell you exactly what you need to do and when! SHA-FREAKIN-ZAM! 

Look, I just so happen to have a rolodex of every time management and project management tool and software out there at the tip of my tongue. Need a recommendation for something that’s perfect for you? Just so happens I can pick the exact right thing for you. I have even written an easy guide to picking from some of my favorites. 

So, this miiiiight sound hypocritical when I say this but:

YOU DON’T NEED A TIME MANAGEMENT TOOL. YOU JUST NEED TO MANAGE YOUR TIME.

When I write, I reference things.  A lot of things. Generally on the interwebs. If I use a tool/plugin/whatever to keep me focused on my document and close out all of my browsers for a set period of time, I can’t reference things. So you know what I do? I practice self-control (remember self-control? It was that thing you used when you couldn’t have the toy you wanted in 5th grade. call on that.) and I write. I write with browsers open and I (shock!) manage to stay off of Pinterest and out of my email. 

And you can do it too. Sure, get a project management tool to keep your tasks organized. Absolutely get your regular processes written down so you never miss a step again. Check out some samples of model calendars and a day-in-the-life of an entrepreneur.

And then go. do. it.

Being an entrepreneur requires a tremendous amount of self-discipline. Doing your own thing on your own schedule isn’t for everyone. But it IS for you. Just stop BS-ing yourself and freakin’ do the thing.

K?

K.

xo