Entrepreneurs—You May Be Working Harder, But Are You Working Smarter?

by Jim Stovall

As an entrepreneur, particularly one involved in a startup venture, you have to manage your most valuable asset — yourself. Remember, just because you are moving quickly does not necessarily mean you are getting closer to your goal. There are times when a pause for recreation, reflection and renewal is the fastest way to move ahead. If you don’t manage your own time wisely, you’ll end up working harder, but not smarter.

Judge Brandeis served on the Supreme Court for several decades early in the 20th century. He had a very distinguished judicial career. However, there was a time when he was strongly criticized for taking a vacation just before an extremely difficult and complex case was to be reviewed by the Supreme Court.

Judge Brandeis’s response to the criticism was as follows: “I have found a way to successfully complete 12 months of work in 11. I have never found a way to successfully complete 12 months of work in 12.” This is a reminder to all of us that taking time to pause and recharge our batteries may be the fastest way to get ahead.

Many organizations fail to understand this basic fact, despite all the evidence to support it. For example, drivers who fail to make a pit stop in a long race are in much greater danger of burning out an engine and losing the race through default. And studies have shown that the most effective countries with regard to productivity are not necessarily the ones with the longest or most grueling workweeks.

Always remember that the most effective element that will lead you toward your personal and professional success is your ability to perform at your highest level. This is only possible when you maintain and care for your mind, body, spirit and attitude.

As you go through your day today, remember Judge Brandeis’s wise words. Winning the race is quite often a function of taking care of yourself so that you’ll have the stamina to cross the finish line.

Today's the day! Here are five “action steps” for entrepreneurs:

1. List the things that you are uniquely qualified to do in your business. Focus on those things. If someone else can do it, let them.
2. Schedule your time off just like you schedule important appointments. As an entrepreneur, if you wait until things are not busy to take a vacation, you may well die behind your desk having never left the office.
3. Take mid-morning and mid-afternoon breaks. For ten minutes, sit and reflect, listen to enjoyable music or go for a brief walk. You'll get more done and feel better about everything.
4. Make your friends and family a priority. If people in corporate America can make it to softball games, school plays and scouting events, those of us who work for ourselves should be able to as well. One of the reasons you went into business for yourself was to enjoy some freedom. If you don't exercise freedom, you might as well not have it.
5. Try to work your schedule around tasks, not time. Look at your business day objectively and determine the most important things to get done. When you've accomplished those tasks, you are done — at least for one day. If you don't control your business, it will surely control you.

Being in business for yourself is among the most compelling parts of the American dream. Entrepreneurship can give you freedom, creativity and an unlimited income, but unless you are in control, you will find yourself working long hours for little or no money without having time to enjoy the good things in life. Make sure that your business works for you as hard as you work for it. Success and money cannot buy the best things of life, but they can give you the time to enjoy them.

To learn more, consider these AMA seminars:

• Time Management
• Critical Thinking: A New Paradigm for Peak Performance

AMA On-site: Every one of AMA’s 170+ public seminars can be delivered on-site. This flexible, money-saving option allows you to train ten or more people, when and where you choose, at a low cost per participant. Click here for more information.

Author Bio: Jim Stovall is president of Narrative Television Network, as well as the author of many books including The Ultimate Gift. His other accomplishments include being an athlete, investment broker, motivational speaker and entrepreneur, while dealing with the challenge of his own blindness. Recently, Jim was honored as the 2000 International Humanitarian of the Year. Contact him at JimStovall@aol.com.