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168 Hours – Are you making the most of them?

Leave a Comment / Culture, Entrepreneur, Fun Stuff, Must Read Blogs, Uncategorized / By Cindy Donaldson / July 12, 2018 / breaks, Chart, day, Facebook, hours, jenn donovan, less is more, priority list, red barn consulting, time management, to-do list, todo list, track, Tracking, weeks

We all have the same number of hours in a week, so how is it that some people manage to be so productive, like Gary V, while others can barely manage to check a few items off the to do list. Are we so obsessed with trying to save time and complaining that there is never enough time, that we aren’t focusing on how we are spending our time? Think about that for a second. When you are doing something you don’t like, let’s say running on a treadmill or preparing a report for work that you know no one even reads, how fast does time go by? It crawls. 5 minutes feels like 5 hours. BUT when you are doing something you love, accomplishing things that mean something to you, 5 hours starts to feel like 5 minutes! So, if you like hiking, why are you on the treadmill day after day. If you don’t like your job and its requirements, why are you spending 40 hours a week being miserable?

Laura Vanderkam, who studies Time Management, thinks that time isn’t the issue. \”We don\’t build the lives we want by saving time,\” Vanderkam said in her TedWomen talk in 2016. \”We build the lives we want, and then time saves itself.\”

Some of the most famous business people today never complain that there aren’t enough hours in a day or week, and they probably accomplish more in a week than most of use accomplish in a month. So, what’s their secret? Is it simply because they love what they do, or do they have some magical ninja fairies in their pockets helping them get shit done? Here are a few strategies Vanderkam uses to manage her own time.

Track your time

I once had a boss who had my entire department track our time for over a month. This required filling out a spreadsheet with what we did every minute of every day. How many orders I processed, and how much time I thought those took, phone calls, responding to emails, etc., etc. It got to the point where I was adding in funny stuff to see if he noticed. He didn’t. HOWEVER, you should track your time for one week. It doesn’t have to track every minute but write down things in 30 min. increments. It might feel tedious to start and one more thing you have to do, but you might be surprised at what you discover and where you are actually spending your time. You might find that you spend several hours a week reading articles on Facebook or LinkedIn, yet you’ve been complaining that you haven’t had any time to read some new books.

Take breaks

Your brain cannot function for hours on end on the same task without taking a break. A break some rejuvenate and refresh you. You might find that you THINK you are taking breaks, but scrolling through social media, personal emails, or texting are NOT breaks for your brain – or your body. These breaks aren’t really breaks at all. Doing all those things are fine, and you should plan those in to your day, but you also need to get up, move around, and reboot your brain. Step away from the electronics!

Less is more

When it comes to making a to do list, less is more. Having a short, manageable list is MUCH easier to navigate than pages and pages that cover your whole list of monthly items. A long list = failure. You want to feel accomplished at the end of the day and check off several if not all the items on the list will keep you motivated. This list should be for both work and home – they are equally important.

Your time is your own. How you choose to spend it is up to you. Your boss, spouse, or even kids don’t make that choice for you – you do. You can’t make more time. You can’t put it in an account for a rainy day. Those 24 hours a day, 168 hours a week will get spent regardless. Make every minute count and be on your terms.

168 Hours – Are you making the most of them? Read More »

Getting Your Content Shared — When Less Is More

Many SEO and marketing firms will tell you that content is king. They’ll share stats about how longer pieces of content get better placement in Google search results, and why having really in-depth articles and information builds your authority and business brand.

While all this is true, it’s not the whole picture. The fact is, sometimes we can overdo it on content, and that means you could be missing out on a big audience — And who wants that? (Certainly not us, that’s our Kryptonite.)

Now, before you dismiss us and say “Yes, that’s fine RBC, but it’s not what the stats show,” we’ll just tell you that 54% of statistics are made up on the spot. Seriously though, different types of content appeal to different audiences, and don’t you want everyone to love you? Besides which, even if this stuff doesn’t feature that highly in search results, it is the type of content that gets shared on social media. And that makes it incredibly valuable.

So, changing up your content strategy can be a great way to get more eyeballs, and whether you’re a witch brewing a potion, or a business selling products and services, that’s a good thing. Instead of going for “War and Peace” style blog posts, why not try the following:

Infographics – People love to take information in visually. Infographics are a fab way of bringing out really important information and making it obvious to people. Infographics are some of the most shared content online, so creating one can be a surprisingly good way to share your brand.

Galleries – People love great pictures, and not just of cats. (Although if you can get a cat to advertise your product, go for it and you might want to search #catsofinstagram if you are a feline fancier.) Creating a really thematically strong collection of images based around your brand and products is a fantastic way to show them in their best light.

Personal stories -In a world of facts, data, and information, people yearn for a personal touch. Writing real-life stories can create a deep and profound connection with your audience.

Widgets – Not something you’d buy off of a 24 hour shopping channel, but little apps and games that spread like wildfire. Think quizzes on Facebook, fun mini games, web apps, and other entertainment that passes ten minutes with a smile on someone’s face.

Video – You don’t need to create the next Gangnam Style (not everyone can dance like that) to have a really successful video. Add some quirkiness and fun to your product marketing, or just share something unique. Video is an increasingly popular way to share content.

Audio and podcasts – People are busy, busy, busy! That\’s why content they can consume while doing other stuff (like chores, walking, driving, or daydreaming) is becoming incredibly popular. You can get your message into people’s ears.

With the world going increasingly mobile, you need to make your content a snap to download and digest. Make sure it’s fully mobile responsive, and that people can find it quickly and effortlessly. Next time you sit down and think about your content strategy, think about all of the marvelous, exciting, and splendid ways you can share your awesome content with the world.