Do you find yourself being controlled by your day? Are emails, phone calls and emergencies leaving you little time to do the marketing that is essential to your business? I notice this quite often as I am coaching originators...it's a double-edged sword. They work really hard to market, network and get focused on increasing production. Then, as the loans start coming in (the good part), they start to feel out of control (the bad part). What if you could continue to market and increase production WITHOUT feeling like you have to work longer? You are rewarded for what you put into your day...not how long you spend in the office. Being focused is key to accomplishing this.
First, if your office is not organized, take a look at this post on organization. A few extra hours on the weekend or early one morning will help you feel in control of your office space. Then develop a habit of immediately dealing with all incoming STUFF.
Here are a few other suggestions:
1. E-mail is essential to our business today. But I would also venture to say it is detrimental to you becoming highly successful. UNLESS you take control of it. Many people that are extremely effective during their work day actually check email only once or twice. Seem too drastic? I tried it and found it to be very difficult. (I'm now looking for a therapist that specializes in email additions :)
What works for me is combining my time blocking with what I call "no interruption time." I pick one hour periods during the day when I want to work on specific tasks, such as marketing idea development, phone calls and writing. Depending on my appointments and other obligations, I may have up to three or four "no interruption" time blocks during one day. Because I am an email junkie, I take time between the blocks to check and respond to any email that might have come across. 
This simple shift in my time management has resulted in greater productivity (I get a whole lot more done), higher quality work (I do work better when I am not distracted) and less job frustration.
2. Phone interruptions are another distraction that can make you less effective. I am a huge advocate of returning phone calls (and emails) promptly, but again, being constantly interrupted and losing your focus will decrease your effectiveness. Take at least one or two hours a day to have your calls held...this also includes turning your cell phone off!
Your ability to singly focus on one task, without interruptions greatly improves results. Begin your one hour "no interruptions" by organizing exactly what you want to accomplish during that time. Don't try to do too many things. Pick only one or two things to work on. What have you been procrastinating that would benefit your business if you could just get it completed? Then go deep. You have no interruptions or distractions. Do your very best, better than any other time you have worked on this task.
Warning: this may be difficult for you to do. It actually took me about 2 weeks to feel completely comfortable turning off the email and phone. At first, you will find yourself thinking, "am I missing something? What if it's important?" This is natural, but do not give into the urge to check. Once you really start to see all the positive results of this type of time blocking, you will be looking forward to your "no interruption time". The momentum you create will become addictive. Almost as addictive as email.
I have to go now...it's time to check my email!
Check back for Part II and Part III in my series "Take Control of Your Day"
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